My photo
... is a freelance photographer working in Middle Georgia

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

The Smell of Smoke in The Morning



Gary Harmon called and told me about a fire here in Fort Valley yesterday morning.  A local cabinet shop was on fire.  I grabbed my cameras, kissed Deborah and told her I would be back in a little while, not knowing if I would find a photo or not.

I have not "chased" any firetrucks in a while.  I got in my truck and the old sense of anticipation returned.  Would this be a big one?  Flames and smoke make for good photos.  Would it be over before I arrived?  You tend to get caught up in the excitement of the moment, hoping for a good photo, not thinking that someones home or business in in danger of destruction, firefighters are risking their lives.




Covering breaking news in a small town is different than in a place the size of Macon or even Warner Robins.  You get to know, and are known by a lot of the cops and firefighters, so you are aware of their presence on occasions like this. Not so much with the people involved in the fire, wreck or what ever the event you are focused on.  You just concentrate on the images, isolated by your camera.

This one was different. Hilton Smith, owner of the burning business is someone I see regularly.
Every Thursday morning he and his buddies sit right next to my friend Greg and me at breakfast.  Often see him around town as well.  

As photojournalists, we are capturing slices of life. These are moments in time, some good, some not so good.  But each one is a part of someones existence, not just another photograph.  We know that, and try to temper our excitement. Be respectful yet still do our jobs.  




Monday, November 19, 2012

Its Always Been There......




I don't know why my mind and eyes work the way they do.  The way I sometimes see things I just have to photograph. Driving down a road for the first time, and suddenly there it is, just gotta stop and take a picture.
That I understand.  But why do I drive down a road that I have traveled weekly, for a part of my like almost daily, and see something that just jumps out a me.  It has been there forever, but this particular point in time, it's a Kodak Moment.

This happened to me today.  Was coming back from Warner Robins, and decided to drive down Housers Mill Road. Nice overcast sky making some killer light and I saw this tractor sitting  in a field.  I have seen this tractor many times in the past, even photographed other objects in this field several times.  But today, it was this old International Harvester that caught my eye.  Was it the light, or the grass blowing in the wind?

Don't really know, and most times don't even wonder about stuff like this.  The way God made me. Just pick up the camera and do my thing.  If you spend too much time wondering why, it'll make you crazy.

Friday, November 16, 2012

A Touch of Gold

This beautiful tree is in the front yard of my friend and neighbor Col. John Pensyl.  It dominates the street every year. I have intended on shooting it forever, and had not gotten around to doing some pictures.  This year I decided it was time, and had planned on shooting it last week. Got busy with other stuff and never made it.  Then it rained, and I feared that the leaves would all be gone.

I went up Tuesday morning to see what I coud do. I wanted that wonderful sky as an element in the photo so I took the fisheye. Shot it so the drive and the curve of the horizon kinda leads your eye to the tree.  The bottom image was from under the tree looking up. Got as close to the lowest cluster of leaves as the lens would focus.  Hope I did God's beautiful handiwork justice.


Thursday, November 15, 2012

The Old Coke Building Comes Down


We are getting a New Wendys in our little town.  We have not been over run with new businesses
lately, so a new employer is a good thing. We have lots of empty buildings around town.  Some, like the one that was on the site chosen for our new Wendys are pretty old, and run down.  Not only in bad shape but loaded with asbestos and sporting other hazards. 

The decision to raze the old building brought quite an uproar from some of the Historically minded folks, this was the old Coca Cola bottling plant. Built in the 1920's or 30's. The approval from Mayor and City Council to allow the new owner to demolish the building and build the new restaurant caused quite a rift in the community. 

Some folks see new jobs coming, while others see the loss of a bit of history. It is a bit of history leaving us, but no one had done anything with the place in many years, not even providing needed upkeep. I can understand both sides of the spat, I love history, but also realize our little community needs new business
and new jobs.  

What really strikes me about all this is that folks can get so upset by something as trivial in the grand scheme of things as an old commercial building.  It was left here vacant after the company decided it was not profitable to keep employing local folks or be part of this community.  I am not sure that I see the historical significance.  

Frankly, I worry more about our less than effective congress and the fact that the folks on Capitol Hill put politics before the welfare of our country. Lets come together over a square burger and send a message to Washington.










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