Reconnecting with Art: A Journey Through Photography

In 2018, I made the conscious decision to reignite my artistic spark, and photography became my chosen medium. What began as a personal exploration soon developed into a full-fledged love affair with the art form. Capturing moments, emotions, and the essence of the world through my camera lens brought me a sense of fulfillment that I hadn't experienced in years.

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The Art of Collaboration: Why Photographers Should Embrace Dance

In the world of visual arts, collaboration often sparks a creative synergy that transcends individual disciplines. As a photographer, the opportunity to collaborate with dancers, such as the talented Hailey Dunn of the Savannah Ballet, can open new and exciting avenues for artistic expression. In this blog post, we'll explore why it is important for photographers to embrace collaboration with other art forms, particularly dance, and how such partnerships can elevate the art of photography to new heights.

Capturing the elegance and grace of dance through photography is a unique and fulfilling challenge. Whether it's the fluid movements of a ballet dancer or the raw energy of a contemporary performance, dance offers photographers a wealth of visual inspiration. By collaborating with dancers like Hailey Dunn, photographers can gain access to a world of expression, emotion, and physicality that adds depth and dynamism to their work.

Photographers who integrate dance into their artistry also benefit from the opportunity to explore new perspectives and techniques. The interplay of light and movement, the juxtaposition of stillness and motion, and the storytelling potential of dance poses all present rich opportunities for creative exploration. As a result, photographers can expand their technical skills, experiment with composition, and develop a more nuanced understanding of visual storytelling.

In conclusion, the fusion of photography and dance represents a powerful convergence of artistic expression. Through collaboration with dancers like Hailey Dunn, photographers can broaden their creative horizons, infuse their work with newfound dynamism, and create captivating visual narratives that resonate with audiences. Embracing the art of collaboration between photography and dance is not only an opportunity for artistic growth, but also a celebration of the boundless creativity that emerges when different art forms unite in harmony.

Capturing the Essence of Night: Street Photography in Richmond City, Virginia

When the sun sets and the city lights come alive, a different world emerges. As a photographer, I've always been fascinated by the unique and mesmerizing atmosphere of the night. Recently, I had the opportunity to explore the streets of Richmond City, Virginia, under the cover of darkness, and what I discovered was truly captivating.

Street photography at night presents a distinctive set of challenges and rewards. The interplay of artificial light, shadows, and the urban landscape creates an evocative tapestry of visual narratives waiting to be captured. In this blog post, I want to share three of my favorite night street photographs from Richmond City, each telling its own story of the nocturnal world.

The first image captures a solitary figure standing beside a building, bathed in the glow of a nearby streetlight and neon lights of surrounding night clubs. The play of light and shadows creates a sense of mystery, inviting the viewer to wonder about the man’s thoughts and experiences. Nighttime has a way of imbuing even the most ordinary scenes with a touch of enigma.

In the second photograph, a business adorned with vibrant neon lights takes center stage. The neon glow casts an otherworldly hue on the surrounding environment, transforming the mundane into the extraordinary. The contrast between the darkness of the night and the luminosity of the signage creates a visual spectacle that is uniquely characteristic of nocturnal street photography.

Lastly, the third image features a simple yet poignant subject: an open sign illuminated in neon lights. The soft, warm glow of the sign against the dark backdrop serves as a metaphor for the allure of the night – full of possibilities and untold stories waiting to unfold.

Night street photography is a realm of endless possibilities. The absence of harsh daylight allows for a different perspective, revealing details and nuances that often go unnoticed during the day. The interplay of light and darkness creates a cinematic quality, infusing the scenes with drama and emotion.

Richmond City, with its rich history and diverse urban landscape, provides an ideal backdrop for exploring the art of night street photography. The juxtaposition of old and new, the play of light on historic architecture, and the vibrant energy of the city's nightlife offer a treasure trove of photographic opportunities waiting to be discovered.

In conclusion, night street photography is a testament to the allure of the nocturnal world and the art of capturing its essence. It invites us to see familiar surroundings in a new light, unveiling the hidden beauty that emerges when the sun goes down. I hope these photographs offer a glimpse into the enchanting realm of night street photography and inspire you to explore the magic of the night through your own lens.

Black History Month | Don Hogan Charles

Don Hogan Charles was born Daniel James Charles in New York City in September 1938 to James Charles and Elizabeth Ann Hogan. He attended George Washington High School in New York, NY, before attending and then dropping out of the Engineering program of City College of New York. Leaving the City College to pursue photography as a career, Don first became a freelance photographer with photographs appearing in major international publications such as Der Spiegel and Paris Match. His commercial clients included Bill Blass, Oscar de la Renta and Pan American World Airways. Don then became the first African American staff photographer of The New York Times. Don would work for the Times from 1964 until 2007 -- a career that lasted over forty years.

During his career, Don would photograph fellow iconic African Americans such as Coretta Scott King, Malcolm X and Muhammad Ali. His photography captured and often centered on moments in the Civil Right Movement, often as he experienced it in his home of Harlem, New York, but also in places all across the United States. An important element of Don Hogan Charles’s work was his drive and ability to mentor fellow photographers -- a detail recalled fondly by many who worked and collaborated with him during his tenure at The Times.

Charles' work is currently in the collections of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, NY, and the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C.

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Black History mOnth | Florestine perrault

Born in Louisiana in 1985, Florestine Perrault Collins the oldest of six children born to free African American parents. She would attend public school until age six, until the pressures of six children took Florestine out of school to help earn money for the family.

By age 14, the year 1909, Florestine was navigating issues of race and gender to start studying photography under white male photographers in her area. In order to study under them, Florestine was required to pose as a white woman. Her efforts paid off however, when in the 1920 US Census Florestine as one of only 101 black female photographers in the country. She was also, in fact, the only one in New Orleans at the time.

Florestine’s photography was unique in that she worked primarily with women and children of color in domestic settings, where most photography at the time was centered on white men. Her work is still relevant as an insight into the lives of the women she photographed and as resistance against the stereotypes surrounding women of colour that persist today. Her work portrayed her subjects in delicate, domestic, and beautiful portraiture that ran counter to many portrayals of African Americans at the time.

Despite a first marriage in which her husband attempted to suppress Florestine’s professional career, she became a successful businesswoman and self-marketer -- opening first a home studio and then a standalone photography studio on North Calibourne Avenue in 1923. Despite limitations placed on her not only by gender but by her race, Florestine built a career and business that helped her family survive the Great Depression, and ultimately lasted over thirty years.

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Black History Month | Eartha Kitt

Today I want to feature an icon of film, music, and activism, Eartha Kitt.

Eartha Kitt was born Eartha Mae Kieth on ​January 17, 1927, to a mother of African American and Cherokee descent. She never knew her biological father and to this day, there is still a mystery surrounding her parentage. Born into a sharecropper’s life in South Carolina, Eartha’s early life was filled with domestic violence and abuse until she was surrendered by her mother into an aunt’s care, whereupon she moved from North Carolina to Harlem, New York. It was here that she attended the Metropolitan Vocational High School -- later renamed the High School of Performing Arts​.

Eartha Kitt’s career took her across the world, to Europe and further abroad. She became a celebrated and distinctive singer and actress both on Broadway and the silver screen. One of her famous pieces include her rendition of “Santa Baby,” (1953), among others.

It was in 1968 when she was virtually exiled from the United States, following her expression of anti-Vietnam War statements during a White House luncheon with Lady Bird Johnson. She lived and worked in Europe and other countries during this time, until she was welcomed back and pardoned in 1978 by president Jimmy Carter -- at which time Eartha Kitt made a successful return to Broadway in the musical “Timbuktu!” A performance which earned her a Tony award nomination.

Eartha was also known as a strong and independent character with strong feminist values, as noted in several recordings of her. During her lifetime Eartha earned awards not only for her music, but for her television and cinematic performances. Eartha continued her film and recording career late into her life, until her passing in December of 2008.

For more information on this notable celebrity, please go to:

http://www.kittsville.org/eartha-kitt.html

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Black History Month | Gordon Parks

This year, I want to personally do better with making black history month more than just a mark on the calendar. Recently I was made aware about one the most influential photographers, film makers, and activists of the 20th century, Gordon Parks. Check out this exert from the The Gordon Parks Foundation website below and go visit them for more information on Mr. Parks:

"Gordon Parks, one of the greatest photographers of the twentieth century, was a humanitarian with a deep commitment to social justice. He left behind an exceptional body of work that documents American life and culture from the early 1940s into the 2000s, with a focus on race relations, poverty, civil rights, and urban life. Parks was also a distinguished composer, author, and filmmaker who interacted with many of the leading people of his era—from politicians and artists to athletes and other celebrities." - Gordon Parks Foundation Website, https://www.gordonparksfoundation.org

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