Springtime in the City

This past April, the mate had to travel to New York City for work, and I decided to join him. The trip held plenty of firsts for me: my first flight, my first time traveling north of Tennessee, and my first time being surrounded by millions of people. The entire occasion was a little bittersweet: while thrilled at the overall experience of such a massive city, I wasn’t so thrilled with New Jersey [in my opinion the worst state possible], my extreme exhaustion, and the shortness of the trip [only two days]. But I still can’t wait to go back.

The City. 

The mate snapped this shot as I walked out of his friend’s apartment in Brooklyn.

 

Central Park

These guys were playing System of a Down songs. Too cool.

We happened upon the Ballerina Mime, who would pose perfectly still until someone put money in her bucket. Then, as a thank you, she’d do a subtle ballet number and resume her motionless position. For more photographs & information, check out her MySpace profile.

 

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

 

 

The Staten Island Ferry

 

 

 

Annie Leibovitz at the High

Today, the mate and I rode the MARTA over and up to the High Museum of Art, where they’re showcasing the photography of Annie Leibovitz until September. I didn’t know much about her or her work until I got there, and it pleasantly surprised me to learn she’s taken so many photographs that I’ve seen before and admired enviously. The exhibit, titled Annie Leibovitz: A Photographer’s Life, 1990-2005, features dozens of celebrity portraits, mingled with just as many snapshots of her family. It impressed me that even though all of the photographs were taken in the past fifteen years, a majority of them came to life in black and white. In fact, they seemed even more vivid and full of life than the few color photographs interspersed throughout the exhibit. Perhaps due to my love and recent fanaticism with the band, her photograph of the White Stripes in New York definitely stood out as my favorite. Having been duly inspired by the exhibit, I now present you with a few of my favorite Annie Leibovitz photographs.

The lady herself.

 

My favorite: The White Stripes.

 

Iggy Pop.

 

One of my favorite authors: William S. Burroughs.

 

Annie’s version of Alice in Wonderland.

Atlanta Area Cemeteries

About three years ago, I developed a strange fascination with photographing cemeteries. My curiosity isn’t stimulated at all by morbidity; rather, I’m enthralled by the architecture, monuments, and overall beauty that most cemeteries hold inside.

 

Greenwood Cemetery

1173 Cascade Rd SW

 

Greenwood is probably the most diverse cemetery in the Atlanta area.

It contains distinct Greek, Jewish, and Asian sections.

 

 

 

Oakland Cemetery

 

248 Oakland Ave SE

 

Established in 1850, Oakland is the oldest cemetery in Atlanta, and it survived the Civil War. At over 88 acres, Historic Oakland holds the graves of several notable individuals, including Margaret Mitchell [author of Gone with the Wind], Bobby Jones [professional golfer], Joseph Jacobs [creator of Coca-Cola], Maynard Jackson [first African-American mayor of Atlanta], and many others. The cemetery regularly holds family events, such as Sunday in the Park, and is a favorite spot to walk the dog or get some exercise.

 

 

 

 

 

Rose Hill & Riverside Cemeteries

 

Riverside Drive, Macon, Georgia

 

These two cemeteries [established in the late 1800s] coexist in close proximity to each other & a nearby river. Both are filled with exalting flora, rolling hills, and breathtaking monuments to those passed on years ago.

 

 

A Tour of Atlanta

I have a love/hate relationship with the Capital of the South, ATL, Hotlanta, the City that’s too Busy to Hate [ha!], whatever you want to call it, that I’ve been living in for the past year. Yes, traffic and panhandlers are as bad as you’ve been told, but the city has a few charms. I can never resist my addiction to going to the High Museum on the first Saturday every month when there’s free admission. I love strolling around Downtown, Midtown, and Piedmont Park when it’s cool enough, with my camera wrapped around my arm. And of course, it’s delightfully entertaining to watch the crazies that walk the streets at all hours of the day.

Downtown.

 

the Jimmy Carter Center.

 

Atlantic Station.

 

the High Museum of Art.

 

the Georgia Aquarium.

 

Little Five Points.

Piedmont Park

It’s hard not to find something to photograph when Atlanta’s largest park holds countless events throughout the year, including the Atlanta Jazz Festival, the Green Market, the Peachtree Road Race, free concerts & movies, and so much more. If you’re in the area, check out Piedmont Park’s website to find out about upcoming events.