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February 24, 2015

Black and White

I took this image just outside Carmel’s located in the Grove Arcade in downtown Asheville. Needless to say, the two large dogs caught my eye with their striking contrast of black and white. The gentleman in the back seemed to take great pride in his fellow companions. I inquired about the breeds and was informed that the white dog is a Great Pyrenees and the black dog is a Newfoundland. After taking this first shot, I tried to capture some more “portraits” of the dogs. They were less cooperative after the initial photograph, conspiring to undermine any further photographs by turning away from the camera. It rather reminded me of taking photos of reluctant family members.

Still, I’m content with this family portrait.

Black and White

Black and White

All images © Joe Longobardi. All Rights Reserved.
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February 14, 2015

Anthropomorphism

Biltmore Avenue, downtown Asheville.

It is our innate nature to attribute human characteristics to inanimate objects and animals; injecting our interpretation of reality and understanding of the world to make sense and therefore create closure in that which we may find disconcerting. Traditional fables with talking animals is one example of a literary device that anthropomorphizes nonhuman characters offering human life lessons in the guise of simple stories. In the case of this photograph below, I saw an intimate narrative unfolding in the interaction of the mannequin and the older woman just behind the plate glass window. By the very act of capturing the image below, I created a universally understood relationship, and therefore the personification of the mannequin.

Hopefully, the woman was able to console the mannequin.

Consolation

Consolation

All images © Joe Longobardi. All Rights Reserved.
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February 7, 2015

Be My Valentine

Shooting expired film on the streets of downtown Asheville, North Carolina.

This capture was made on expired Kodak Max 400 film that was given to me by a photographer friend of mine. Needless to say, the colors that resulted have a very over processed look. I determined the age of the film to about 10 years old, but still it was a guessing game regarding how to properly expose the film. I slightly overexposed the film when shooting to compensate for any flatness and underexposure that would occur, be even then the developed negatives were a bit dark and lacking contrast. I had them scanned at French Broad Imaging (located in Asheville) and made corrections in Adobe Camera Raw.

Still, the photo has a rather vintage quality about it, and the narrative is what I personally find the most intriguing.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Be My Valentine

Be My Valentine

All images © Joe Longobardi. All Rights Reserved.
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February 1, 2015

A Shoulder To Lean On

January 20, 2015

A candid shot of a couple passing through downtown Asheville. It was a week later while reviewing the image that I noticed the cat nestled on the shoulders of the man on the right.

A shoulder to lean on

A shoulder to lean on

All images © Joe Longobardi. All Rights Reserved.
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January 12, 2015

FASHMOB II

January 11, 2015, Asheville, NC.

FASHMOB II is the long awaited follow up to the first FASHMOB held back in late 2014 in Asheville, NC. The followup was held Sunday, January 11th at The Crow and Quill, a small club on Lexington Avenue in downtown Asheville. In the words of event host Duncan Chaboudy, “The purpose of this get-together is to bring together photographers who want to shoot and models/actors/dancers/solo musicians who want to be photographed.”

On Camera Flash

On Camera Flash

Having missed the first round, I made sure I marked my calender for the sequel. And I was not alone in that idea. Although many models and photographers planned to participate, a mere four individuals attended the first event in downtown Asheville at the parking garage atop the Pack Library on Haywood Street. Having learned of the wonderful photos that were taken of the few models that made it on that cold evening, word of mouth spread of a second outing. Cut to the chase: some 126 photographers and models ascended on the tiny club at 106 Lexington Avenue.

Nearby lamp for lightsource

Nearby lamp for lightsource

For me, the event was twofold: It was a great opportunity to try out my ”new” old lens—a 1980 35mm Nikon that I just purchased; and to meet new people, some old friends, and hopefully grab some good shots. The premise of the gathering was to utilize the venue’s ambient light without the assistance of flash. Being a very dark club, photographers eventually resorted to artificial lighting such as strobes, flashes and various handheld lamps for continuous lighting. I managed some very artsy shots using the available light, but did find it necessary to use some flash to reduce my camera’s ISO and stop down my lens for sharper images.

Handheld lamp

Handheld lamp

Included here are several of my photos that I felt captured some of the mood of the evening—a variety of images featuring either flash, available light such as a nearby lamp, or a continuous light source that someone brought to the event to…shed a little light on the matter!

All in all, it was a very successful turnout. There should be another FASHMOB this coming April (maybe “Son of FASHMOB”?)

More info on future shoots may be found at the Facebook event page.

Pictured above: Crystal, Emma D, and Jacqueline Lowe (on piano)

All images © Joe Longobardi. All Rights Reserved.
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January 9, 2015

Waiting for the light

January 4, 2014.

Crossing at the junction of Biltmore Avenue and Broadway, downtown Asheville, North Carolina.

Waiting for the light

Waiting for the light

All images © Joe Longobardi. All Rights Reserved.
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January 5, 2015

6 Dollar Flat Rate

January 4, 2015

Parking Garage on Biltmore Avenue, downtown Asheville, North Carolina.

6 Dollar Flat Rate

6 Dollar Flat Rate

All images © Joe Longobardi. All Rights Reserved.
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January 4, 2015

Got Trash?

November 28, 2014, Loganville, Georgia.

Essentially a case of lazily driving along in traffic and suddenly stepping on the brakes, making a wild U-Turn in the middle of the highway and jumping out of the car to get that shot.

Got Trash?

Got Trash?

All images © Joe Longobardi. All Rights Reserved.
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December 21, 2014

Abolish

Pack Square, December 14, 2014 in downtown Asheville, North Carolina. The image below is from a gathering that was part of a nationwide demonstration protesting unjustified police shootings and oppression in the United States. I decided to post this photo now on the the day of the winter solstice as a reminder that as the days begin to grow longer, we can always start anew.

Pack Square protest against police oppression

Pack Square protest against police oppression

All images © Joe Longobardi. All Rights Reserved.
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December 18, 2014

Santa Claus Is Coming To A Bohemian Mountain Town

December 14, 2014, downtown Asheville.

I had the brief opportunity to snap off this one shot before Santa drove away in an old black Studebaker Silver Hawk. Only after did I realize that I caught the muzzle of his dog riding in the backseat.

Be good for goodness sake!

Santa

Santa

All images © Joe Longobardi. All Rights Reserved.
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