Grain elevators, our Blackland Prairie skyscrapers, are structures that embrace light so well. I photograph them quite a lot. I like them quite a lot. For the most part, the images are made quickly as I pass them on one of our county roads. These, however, belong to the Boehm family in Norman’s Crossing, Texas. They allow me to observe them at my leisure, which I did this week when the light was particularly nice. I debated whether or not to toss in a photo of myself, but it’s there. I don’t cotton to high places. When I ascend those steps, it seems right to record the moments.
If you’ve kept up with these posts, either here or social media, you likely know about my increasing desire for actual printed photos. Think about it. We live in an age where people are snapping away on their digital cameras and smartphones, but where do these files exist? Most, I’m guessing, are on your hard drives, not in albums or on walls. When the Atlanta Journal & Constitution made me a guinea pig for some of the first mass-produced digital cameras in the mid-90s, I balked. And balked more when I saw the results (terrible). Since then, however, technology has progressed quickly. Digital cameras, smartphones included, can do incredible things now. A few years ago, I began to realize that most of my images were living lives as files on numerous external hard drives. There was nothing tactile. Now, although it’s costing me more than I care to spend, I’m starting to print again with the help of a pretty good photo printer. I’ll never make up for lost time, but it’s important to try. The images posted here are relevant. The first is an old leather box containing bits of my family’s history. A number of the photos, though family members on my father’s side, are unknown to me. Still, I have them. I just love the family portrait, which looks, judging by the clothing, to have been made in the late 1800s or early 1900s. Occasionally, I dig these, and other boxes, out of a closet and just look. And hold. And smell. The other photo, which hangs on the wall of my home office, is a photo taken of American Indian activist Russell Means in 1986. Writer Ron Martz and I spent copious amounts of time in the 80s working on stories related the Native Americans. Means, a Lakota Sioux, was a prominent figure. We only had a general idea where we’d find him. In the 80s, you’ll recall, we couldn’t email someone or give them a ring on our mobile devices. Writer Ron Martz and I finally found Means at Devil’s Tower, Wyoming, where he was getting ready to take part in a Sun Dance. Although photos weren’t allowed of the actual dance, Mr. Means allowed us to stay and interview him for a profile. This candid photo is one I liked, and still do. It’s why it’s on my wall. I’ve missed holding prints in my hands. I’ve missed the history. It’s important for all of us.
Since New Years Day I’ve made three visits to the ranch of my friend Joyce White. It’s been fun to observe Princess, her beautiful Texas Longhorn, and Joyce’s donkeys. That first day of the year was cloudy and cold. After the donkeys roamed the field together, they huddled, with Princess stepping in front to create an interesting group portrait. The other visits were, as usual, late in the day. The weather was winterish, but clear and crisp. The final six photos are the most recent, a day when two of the young donkeys, both males, had moved on to a new home. It’s hard to say, of course, but I sensed the donkeys, and Princess, felt their absence.
Covering the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. national holiday is always an honor. Last year I wasn’t able to be at Georgetown’s commemoration, but I was this year. Most of these are what you’d expect, including a march, followed by a service at Macedonia Baptist Church. While I like them all, go to the final three photos in this post. Those were made after everything was over. Two attendees, one a retired minister, the other an enthralled 5-year-old, got together for a few short minutes to talk. Those are the kind of moments I crave. These photos are for my friends at the Williamson County Sun.
Photos tonight once again pay tribute to our moon. The images were taken last night (the windmill) and tonight. On both occasions the moon was in a Waxing Gibbous phase. Last night’s was 98.2% visibility. Tonight it’s pretty close to 100%. There’s also a lunar eclipse being talked about quite a bit. While interesting, it may not be on my visual radar. Things to do, you know.
Friday morning I arrived at Georgetown’s Blue Hole Lagoon to take photos of Texas Parks & Wildlife Department stocking this beautiful body of water with 1250 rainbow trout for my friends at the Williamson County Sun. When I got there, however, I found out the stocking had been rescheduled for Thursday, February 7th. Not one to go away empty-handed, I took a few photos of a gentleman who also came for the restocking, fishing gear in hand. Undeterred, he stayed for a while, angling for a white bass or two. As minutes passed, I began to take in the exceptional beauty of this Central Texas treasure. Blue Hole is among the many fine diversions that comprise the San Gabriel River.
Early in 2018, I challenged myself to find a way to make photos on my daily walks. The problem, however, was a total aversion to the use of mobile phones for image-making. The dilemma faced, however, was weight. Since those walks generally take two hours or more, there was no way I could tote one of my DSLRs around and still get the workout I desired. Serious thought was given to getting a small point-and-shoot camera, probably something mirrorless. Money was an issue there. So very quietly one morning, I stepped into the muck and starting taking photos with my inexpensive ($125 brand-spanking new) Motorola Moto smartphone. The little experiment eventually came to an end, but the phone stays with me on those walks. These photos were made this morning, a somewhat foggy morning in Taylor. Most are in two parks on my walking route, Bull Branch Park and Murphy Park. A couple are in color. Others not. The final image is a sad one, a homeless man adjusting his tent underneath one of our main highways. It’s not a great photo, but it drives home the point that homelessness isn’t only a distressing fact of life in cities. Towns like Taylor are not immune.
While visiting the Marietta Square in early-February 1983, I took note of Mr. Green as he went about his task of feeding a bunch of very happy pigeons around the old bell at Glover Park. Just one of those slice-of-life things, folks.
For this little thing, presented in both color and monotone, travel time was easy …. just a little something I saw in my kitchen after today’s walk. Occasionally, I’ll take a photo with my inexpensive smartphone, a Motorola Moto. It might not be a top-notch tool, but for $125.00, I’m not complaining.
