Roxboro Road

Recently I've begun work on what I hope will be a long term project about North Roxboro Road in Durham, a part of the city experiencing rapid growth in the Latino community. This building was a bank two years ago, now it's called El Vaquero, specializing in the latest cowboy fashions. Their boots are beyond. Simply beyond.

Chicken Shit Bingo

Col. George O'Rudeboy, Durham, NC, 2008

Compton & Longbeach, Durham, NC, 2008

The first time I witnessed chicken shit bingo was at a sweet honky tonk called Ginny's Little Longhorn in Austin, TX (short film). I had just endured four long days of intense live music at SXSW and the three hours spent at Ginny's sippn' Lone Star far exceeded all of that. So when some funds needed to be raised for Ms. K's trip to Italy to attend Terra Madre - we thought this would be a delightful way to spend an afternoon - listening to fine bluegrass music by Rob and Mary D of the New River Rock Skippers while breaking several laws gambling with friends and eating some delightful BBQ made by yours truly.

Mr. George graciously loaned us two of his finest hens from his Lil' Farm out on Arthur Minus Rd., so if you happen to shop at the Durham Farmer's Market, do stop by his stand and show your appreciation.

Yes We Can

"It's the answer that lead those who've been told for so long by so many to be cynical and fearful and doubtful about what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day . . ."

Barack Obama
Senator from Illinois
President Elect
Acceptance Speech, Grant Park, Chicago, IL. Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008

Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008

Ideally journalism is best practiced from close distance, yet removed of influence. As an American citizen. As a witness to the last eight years. I felt the influence of my actions as I cast my ballot one week ago. It was a powerful action, weighted with all the selfless courage and sacrifice given by others before me to preserve this precious right. It was not like past elections. Something was vastly different. On Tuesday, when the numbers returned, when Obama spoke, my spirits would not, remain distant. I made photographs, but I also hugged friends and strangers as we all sang out.

The protection of democracy and freedom should be journalism's highest aim. In my lifetime, I've never experienced a better example of a healthy, functioning democratic system than this election. The system has never been perfect, but this was a masterful revision.

But seriously, what the hell am I talking about? The liberal media has always loved an election; ref., http://stuffjournalistslike.com/

Here's what Mr. Lange and I found round the way on Tuesday.




The day after we pieced together a slideshow with the work of two other photographers, Eric Kaufman and Jenny Warburg.

D.F.'s election journey along I-85

Strange Fruit . . .

The American Dance Festival is the country's premier modern dance festival, held each year at Duke. This year we hosted a remarkable student from the Dominican Republic - Ms. Eva Martin. Along with sharing her endless curiosity for all things, melon smoothies and theories about the art of "flowing," Eva and I collaborated on a series of photographs revolving around the concept of Whole Essence. I shot a number of photographs on infrared film, but here is one digital capture that seems to get at the idea of being "one with your environment."

The old Bulls . . .

I've been working on an essay about the 20th anniversary of Bull Durham - mainly photographing the old stadium where the film was shot and the new stadium where the Bulls play today.
More images here.

Tobacco Land . . .

Through This Lens gallery in Durham will present an solo exhibition of my work about the Ligget & Myers tobacco factory complex as it was being converted into a massive residential and commercial development called West Village II. This is a project that I've been working on for the past two and a half years. The opening will be on Oct. 17th and there will be approximately 20 prints hung on the wall. There is a lot of work to be done between now and then, but then again I work best under a deadline.