Travel Photography: Southern Cemeteries
July 30th, 2008Looking for something interesting to do while visiting a small Southern town? Well, how about a walk around the cemetery?
Yes, it will be quiet, and you may well be the only live person there, but, oh, the stories. Some people's lives just read like a good book. Take, for example, this rockin' Army veteran who served with the local sheriff's department...
You'll also find yourself asking a lot of questions. You'll see a headstone with birth and death dates in the same week and wonder what happened to that baby. Then there's that headstone with a photo of a smiling teenager. Was it a car crash? Drugs? Or something else?
You'll also see the impromptu memorials next to the headstones -- lots of them...
Tip: You can view more travel photography in my portfolio.
Construction Photography: Katrina Plus Three
July 29th, 2008Just returned from another week of post-Katrina reconstruction in Mississippi. Although much appears to be back to normal, there's still quite a bit of work to be done.
Take, for example, this house. Almost three years after the storm (local people rarely call it Katrina), the owners are still living in a trailer.
Since drywalling is one of the final steps to completing a house, they should be able to move in soon.
When my work team wasn't on the job, we were staying in Caswell Springs United Methodist Church, which is located in Wade, Mississippi...
The church pastors and numerous members of the congregation saw to our every need -- and I mean everything from hearty meals to hot showers and fresh towels. We were also welcome to roam the church property, which included a walkway out to Caswell Springs...
Tip: You can view more construction photography in my portfolio. I am also available for construction photography assignments in Tucson, Arizona, and elsewhere. To check availability and to request a proposal, please contact me.
Architectural Photography: Used to Work There
July 17th, 2008Went past a former place of employment a few weeks ago. The place has been out of business for almost eight years, and it's been six years since any other business occupied the space.
The landlord's attempts to lease aren't going very well. It's been for rent for a couple of years...
Before it rents, there's some serious repair work to do...
I can remember the boss telling me to clean these doors and windows 'til they gleamed. Those were the days...
Tip: You can view more photography in my portfolio.
Construction Photography: Rebuilding After Katrina
July 10th, 2008On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina came ashore along the Gulf Coast of the United States. It proved to be one of the most destructive storms in U.S. history. Although cleanup and rebuilding efforts are well underway, much work remains.
San Diego-based International Relief Teams (IRT) is helping to rebuild Katrina-damaged homes in southern Mississippi. I've been part of two IRT groups, and have worked with volunteers from all walks of life.
Don is a U.S. Air Force retiree...
Renee is a Smokejumper with the U.S. Forest Service...
Note: These two photos are included in this slideshow that I created for the IRT home page.
Tip: You can view more construction photography in my portfolio. I am also available for construction photography assignments in Tucson, Arizona, and elsewhere. To check availability and to request a proposal, please contact me.
Event Photography: July 4th Parade
July 4th, 2008A few days after I moved to Tucson, I heard that my neighborhood was having a July 4th parade. Being the new kid in town, I was curious to see what a parade in 100-degree heat would be like. So, I ventured over to the corner of Camden Street and Palo Verde Boulevard to see what the neighbors had cooked up.
What I saw was an all-ages collection of marchers strutting their stuff, and they were led by an impromptu band. After the parade,we gathered at an old stone house for refreshments. There were plenty of warm welcomes for this newcomer, even though I didn't yet have a job or any idea where I'd be living after my summer sublet expired.
That was 1987.
I'm pleased to report that Camden/Palo Verde Neighborhood Association still has its annual July 4th Parade. This year marked its 45th anniversary, and it's believed to be Tucson's longest running, non-mechanized parade.
Although I no longer live in this neighborhood, I do try to come back for the parade. Being a July 4th celebration, it had plenty of flags...
The marchers were an all-ages group that included adults...
creative children, including this marching swimming pool...
pets on foot and in wagons...
What would a July 4th parade be without marching politicians? Here's Tucson City Councilmember Nina Trasoff...
After the parade ended, prizes were awarded in the Individual, Group, Bicycle, Float, and Animal categories. Looks like that marching pool is a winner!
Tip: You can view more event photography in my portfolio. I am also available for event photography assignments in Tucson, Arizona, and elsewhere. To check availability and to request a proposal, please contact me.
Nature Photography: Rain Revitalizes
July 2nd, 2008Last Thursday, my part of Tucson received .70" of rain in less than an hour. The water has had a chance to soak into the ground and revive the plant life, including this dinner plate cactus...
Tip: You can view more nature photography in my portfolio.
