Downtown Asheville, North Carolina.
Shot on Kodak Portra 400 film.
Future Runway Model
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The City
Rally held for man killed by police in Asheville, NC. July 6, 2016.
We want the truth – Patton Avenue.
Friends, supporters and family of 35 years old Jai Williams (known as “Jerry” to family and friends), who was gunned down on Saturday, July 2 at Deaverview Apartments in Asheville, gathered at the downtown Asheville Police Department on Wednesday, July 6. The demonstrators demanded answers as to what actually occurred in the confrontation between Williams and the Asheville police on the night of the shooting. Although little local media coverage was to be found, family and friends were interviewed by Channel 7 News from Spartanburg, SC.
The protest was peaceful but passionate. Chanting “No justice, no peace”, the demonstration made its way though the streets of downtown before stopping in front of the Asheville Police Department. As the rally neared its end, in a display of passive resistance, protest signs that were carried through the streets by the demonstrators were laid out in front of the Asheville Police Department as a reminder that all lives are entitled to equal acknowledgement and respect.
The police officer involved in the altercation is currently on administrative leave. The State Bureau of Investigations has been called in to investigate the case.
A Go Fund Me page has been set up to collect funds that will be exclusively used to cover any legal fees, counseling services, and other ancillary expenses related to seeking justice for Jai Williams.
Further updates regarding the incident have been released by the family that contradicts the official police reports. More information can be found via this link.
No Peace
Vowing to seek answers.
Laying out protest signs in front of the Asheville Police Department
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Wilson Alley, Asheville, North Carolina.
Shot on Kodak Portra 400 with Nikon FM2.
Wilson Alley, Asheville
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Biltmore Avenue, downtown Asheville, North Carolina.
That Girl
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Downtown Asheville, North Carolina.
While scurrying about Asheville a few weeks ago, I ran across the gentle pictured on the left who was sharing his prized honeybees with passersby on Biltmore Avenue. When he asked me if I wanted to see his insects, I entertained the possibility that they may actually be just a horde of angry bees loose in a box. I agreed to look at them not quite knowing what was in store. Well, the bees were safely caged in allowing me to get in close to capture the surrounding people who also expressed curiosity.
Animals
Shot with a Nikon FM2 and Kodak Portra 400.
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From Sunday, February 07, 2016.
Gay Pride at Asheville Mardi Gras 2016. This year’s theme was Saint vs Sinners. Shot with Nikon FM2 and Kodak Tri-X 400. Developed in Kodak HC110.
Asheville Mardi Gras 2016
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Tuesday May 17, 2016, Asheville, North Carolina.
Photographer Sally Mann gave a reading of her new book “Hold Still” at Malaprop’s Bookstore this past Tuesday to an attendance of what one describe as a classic example of Standing Room Only. Unlike the number of folks who could not get inside the filled to capacity room, I was fortunate enough to make my way in (for which I give partial credit to my camera as a number of people inquired about the local paper I supposedly worked for).
Sally Mann at Malaprop’s
After Mann’s reading of excerpts from her book accompanied by a slide show of various photographs, she opened the floor up to questions from the audience. This lead to some very insightful and candid revelations from Mann who admitted to her own insecurities as a photographer that I felt encouraged many aspiring artists to forge ahead in spite of the internal negative dialog that many of us fend off on a daily basis.
Above is a photo of Mann at the end of her presentation and dialog with the audience (left) with presenter (middle), and Malaprops’ owner and founder, Emoke B’Racz (right).
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March 29, 2016, Asheville, North Carolina.
A collage of artwork by various age groups added to the Before I Die Wall located on Biltmore Avenue in Downtown Asheville, North Carolina. At the time I had digitally taken this photo I was also using an old film camera for capturing street images. Since I wanted something more immediate to share online as record of this artwork, I made use of my iPhone 4s. In a pinch, a smartphone can always come in handy.
Before I Die Wall
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April 14, 2016, Downtown Asheville, North Carolina.
Model: Camille Reid
Always looking for ways to stretch out and utilize the techniques I have developed as a street photographer, I participated in the latest organized fashion gathering (or FASHMOB) at Roger McGuire Green located in Asheville’s Pack Square Park. As there were several such events that proceeded this, the gathering was appropriately named FASHMOB VII: Media Magnet. This event is for photographers, videographers, models, makekup artists, hair stylists, and designers of all experience levels. The purpose is for people to connect, have fun, and create images to share with one another.
Left: Alisha Moon
Left: Alisha Moon
I generally rely on wide lenses such as 24mm and 28mm for street photography. For these photos, I decided to employ the 24mm. Needless to say, it presented some challenges. Getting close was one of them. One modle at my request climbed up a wall for a few shots. Finding the lens to short to get any reasonable closeups, with a giant flash mounted on the camera in one hand, I scaled the wall to grab some more intimate portraits.
Model: Bethany Sykes
Model: Bethany Sykes
The complex distortion of the 24mm lens was another factor to contend with. Distorted features created by a wide angle lens are less than flattering should you get to close. Carefully working the lens from just the right vantage point, the lens distortion can be advantageous, offering a wonderfully edgy, yet flattering image.
Model: Camille Reid
Model: Camille Reid
In short, it was a fun and worthwhile experience. And for a photographer who is more accustomed to capturing fleeting moments on the bustling city streets, having people willing to take the time to allow for several photos was more than a welcome change of pace.
Model: Camille Reid
Models: Jonathon Santos and Credella Credle
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March 24, 2016, Downtown Asheville, North Carolina.
In the cloak of the evening’s darkness, North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory chiseled away once again any sovereignty held by local city governments by signing into law NC HB2. The bill essentially strips away any protection from discriminatory practices against the LBGTQ community.
The underlying issue at hand here is of course the slippery slope that many times leads to a pernicious dismantling of basic civil liberties that, over time, reveal the draconian intent to roll back any social progress that eventually affects each and everyone of us.
NC HB2 Demonstration at Pack Square
Rather than some verbose commentary, I would rather share just the images that I caught of the demonstration held at Pack Square in downtown Asheville, revealing the diverse face of the community that came together to express both support for their fellow citizens, and the ongoing distrust of a representative body that distorts the meaning of compassion and dignity.
In time, you may find that your comfortable existence becomes another iteration of “separate but equal.”
For more photos, please visit: Rally Against NC HB2.
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