documentary photography
Local artist Michael Brown's moonlight mural coats the the east side of the former Yates Motor building on West Franklin Street, which at one time also served as a stage for public art. These days, the building houses the Carolina Ale House, which serves up burgers, barbecue and baby backs -- during warmer months, al fresco.
(The photograph of the Michael Brown matrix "eyes" mural was taken at University Place in Chapel Hill. The image immediately above, of the eyes on the doors, is of Tyler's Taproom in Carrboro.
(photograph taken on Franklin Street in Chapel Hill)
(photograph taken on Franklin Street between Columbia and Henderson streets in Chapel Hill)
This blunt-nose beauty seen in Chapel Hill is like a metaphor for Americana. The Chevrolet Apache half-ton pickup with its iconic curved body lines remains a distinct classic more than 50 years since its introduction. In 1958, the 6-cylinder light duty truck was designed with quad headlamps and wrap-around windshields -- an industry first -- intended to give drivers more visibility. Original price of the base model ran about $2,300 in 1958. Today, upwards of $50,000 in pristine condition.
(photograph taken off of Battle Lane in Chapel Hill)
Imagine reaching into the sky and plunging a dip pen into the phosphorescent arcs of fireworks streams, then painting across the sky. In lieu of the pen, use the camera lens to stretch these colors into swirls and sweeps, gushes and drizzles. This technique is called painting with light and occurs when a light source is in motion while taking a long exposure photograph.
(photographs taken of fireworks over Governors Club in Chapel Hill)
“I hope that every American, regardless of where he lives, will stop and examine his conscience about this and other related incidents. This nation was founded by men of many nations and backgrounds. It was founded on the principle that all men are created equal, and that the rights of every man are diminished when the rights of one man are threatened.”
The banners in the above two images appeared for a brief time during Carrboro's July 4th Celebration near the corner of Greensboro and Weaver streets in Carrboro. Below, two images of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's confederate soldier, dubbed Silent Sam, partially cloaked in a white wrap after the controversial statue was defaced with graffiti reading "black lives matter," "KKK" and "murderer." Media news outlets peppered the lawn near the statue, which was erected in 1913 as a tribute to UNC alumni who died in the Civil War and also UNC students who fought on the side of the Confederacy.
(photographs taken in Carrboro and Chapel Hill)
(photograph taken at The Lumina theatre in Southern Village in Chapel Hill)
(photographs taken of Crook's Corner Restaurant on the corner of Franklin Street and N Merritt Mill Road in Chapel Hill)
(photograph taken on Franklin Street between Columbia and Henderson streets in Chapel Hill)
Dogwood Tree blooms were crowned the North Carolina state flower in 1941. Seen across the state, its compact, solid wood was often used to create golf club heads, tool handles and butcher blocks. The bark was used as a treatment for mange -- perhaps where its name originates?
(photograph taken in Chapel Hill, NC)
“As soon as you try to describe a close friendship, it loses something.”
Smith coached the basketball team at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for 36 years — from 1961-1997. In addition to his record wins and personal character, he was regarded as a desegregation advocate who lead by example. He recruited the university’s first African-American scholarship basketball player, Charlie Scott, in the late 1960s. Smith passed away on February 7th in Chapel Hill.
(photographs of the Scott Nurkin (2015) Dean Smith mural in progress were taken off of Smith Level Road and US 15-501 in Chapel Hill near the Orange/Chatham county line. Nurkin is known for signature murals around town including Greetings from Chapel Hill which can be seen off of Rosemary Street near Colombia Street in downtown Chapel Hill.)
(photograph taken near Columbia and Rosemary streets in Chapel Hill)
“Storytelling is important. Part of human continuity”
Dripping in a Scottish accent, one storyteller analyzed why ladies' underwear seemed to grow in size as a woman ages -- from lacey bits to those large enough to "parachute" down when tossed in the air. Another found comic relief stuck in a snow storm with beer and Little Debbie cakes. The loft space resounded in chuckles and cackles as four storytellers from across the triangle wove yarn after yarn about self identity and family follies at the Cinderella's Closet of Chatham County Storytelling Evening at Chatham Mills in Pittsboro. The event raised funds for the local organization which helps high school girls who might not be able to afford prom by outfitting them from hairdos to heels.
Now in its fifth year, volunteers at Cinderella's Closet make an indelible mark on these girls taking on a role akin to a fairy godmother. The team provides students with gently used gowns of their choice and accompanying accessories -- shoes, jewelry and hand handbags --- free of charge for them to keep. Students are referred by community organizations and school staff. Appointments are made and girls receive white-glove treatment as they pore through racks of dresses in a bounty of colors, sizes and styles. To ensure a garment fits just right, a seamstress is on hand to dart, pinch, and stitch together the dress that could offer more than a magical evening, rather a boost in life, much like Cinderella's the evening she attended the ball.
Cinderella's Closet event occurs on March 19-21. They are still seeking volunteers and donations.
Haywood Billy Goats opened the evening.
(photographs taken at Chatham Mills in Pittsboro, NC)
(photograph taken on the corner of Franklin and Columbia Streets in Chapel Hill)
Stills captured from the seats at UNC's victorious meet against the William & Mary Tribe on Saturday, February 7th at the UNC Carmichael Arena. The team's first home meet since January 9th began with the vault, on to uneven bars, next balance beam, and culminated with floor exercises accompanied by music thundering from the arena's speakers. Catch the Tarheels next weekend when they take on No. 9 Georgia at 1 pm February 14 in Carmichael Arena on UNC's campus.
(photograph taken at UNC Carmichael Arena off of South Road in Chapel Hill)
Hats off to the Varsity Theatre and those who contributed to its digital campaign. Looks like the beacon will be burning bright on Franklin Street after all. The historic Chapel Hill landmark launched a $50,000 community campaign to raise money to purchase equipment to transform one of its theaters into a digital screen from the classic -- to some, soothing sounds of -- clicking film reels. Now on overdrive, the additional contributions will be applied towards converting its second screen.The above image is of a film short shown prior to a feature film at the Varsity.
(photographs taken on Franklin Street between Columbia and Henderson streets.)
"I've heard everything: 'nice weiner! -- I love your weiner! -- can I see your weiner?' Anything like that," Anthony says. "It doesn't bother me. I just laugh. I probably hear it a few times a day." The UNC student dons the dog duds a couple of times a week and with earbuds firmly in place, he gyrates, hustles and sidesteps for two-to-three hours at a time at the entrance of Sup Dogs restaurant on Franklin Street in Chapel Hill.
"I love making people laugh and now I get paid to do it." he says. "It's really cool. People come up to me all the time and dance with me."
What tunes keep him shuffling his feet? KC and The Sunshine Band on Pandora.
Right on.
(photographs taken on Franklin Street between Columbia and Henderson streets)