independence day

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away I made a photograph calendar that was entirely taken with the Holga. For a festive post I dug up those old photographs that I used for the month of July and have decided to post them here. I didn't have this blog at the time, so they'll be new to some of you, but just a little reminder for those of you that have seen my work for a while. I hope everyone had a good holiday and were able to blow something up.

quickie

Quick post. Happy Fourth everyone!!

mineral wells-meet holga

Not too long ago I posted some great images taken in a little town called Mineral Wells. On that day I took my Holga along with me and photographed a piece or two of the town with it. Here are those images, untouched, right out of the camera; a town interpreted onto film the only way a Holga can. I love that camera...I do.

downtown

Quick post: Just got some Holga prints back from the lab. This shot I took in downtown Fort Worth. Sweet.

the ol' parish jail...

In the little town of Greensburg somewhere in the middle of no where in Louisiana sits this building. The black sign that hangs beside it reads, "Old St. Helena Parish Jail Built in 1855 Restored By St. Helena Historical Association Museum and Meeting Place"

Upon actually seeing it, it's possibly the smallest government building I've ever seen in my life. It's like you could literally pick it up and place it in one of those little Christmas villages that people collect and add to over the years as a part of their decor. It just reminds me of a time, way back when Andy Griffith walked down a dirt road and little Opie threw rocks in the lake. Ahh...such simpler times...

pine grove high school

Pine Grove High School has rested just north of my parent's home for years and years now. I've always wanted to explore and shoot it, but it was always surrounded by years of over growth. Well, I am assuming they're finally going to knock it down and get rid of it because on my recent visit back home, I found it exposed. The trees and grass and vines that camouflaged it for years were all cut away. I grabbed my camera and went inside.

The auditorium. The letters on the curtain above the stage read PGHS. Growing up, I always thought it was an elementary school because it was so small. I mean, even the ceiling to the main entrance way was only inches above my head, so this school has to be older than I thought. But when it was built? I'm not sure. A quick Google search and I might know, but for now just admire the shot. You know how I am about ruined and left America; well, here's a good slice.

crayons

I often take a subject that gets stuck in my head, and then explore it's fine art possibilities through photography. Sometimes these projects actually get finished...mostly I loose my steam half way through. I've discovered that I'm like a cheetah-being able to top my creative momentum in short bursts-before I get bored, or disinterested and move on to the next series. It's quite a serious problem. I've been working on a book centered on Louisiana for going on year four, but I'm not giving up! Anyway, currently I'm working on several of these smaller art pieces at a time right now, one of which is all about crayons. I shoot my fine art pieces with film and process and develop them the old way, but I usually use my digital camera to preview it because I do get anxious to see the final shot. Here are a few outtakes and test shots from the crayon series I'm focused on.

update

Thanks to everyone who still checks my blog though there's nothing there to see. I seem to have these blogging streaks of greatness where I blog like a madman then almost altogether drop it. It's not so much for lack of inspiration or photos, trust me, I've just been channeling my energy elsewhere. I made a promise not too long ago for some fine art pieces...they're on the way, please keep the faith.

I have a show coming up in August (maybe mid July-I'll keep you updated) at a local Starbucks, and everyone who reads these words should be there. More details to come soon about time and place, etc. Until then, though, enjoy your summer and hopefully soon I'll have some images posted to accompany the heat.

Thanx, ~b

queen tribute

So, during some down time at a prom, me and my fellow photographers found some can lights in the ceiling and posed for the classic Queen album cover photo. After a little photoshop work, here is our own album cover. Enjoy.

leaves

For artwork to hang in our recently remodeled bathroom I photographed some leaves. Yeah, it's as simple as that. Sometimes I just let the minimalist in me take over.