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River Town

Many of the small towns I enjoy travelling to and photographing are located along rivers, some small, some not so much. One of my favorites is Augusta, Kentucky. This little hamlet, population 1200, is located on the south bank of the Ohio River just upstream from Cincinnati.

Augusta is the perfect river town. It has lots of history and charm along with a beautiful, cozy downtown. It even has its own ferry service crossing the river. Augusta’s official website proclaims it as the most picturesque town in Kentucky. Who could argue with that?

 

Like all river towns across the country, transportation figures prominently in Augusta’s past and present. In addition to the ferry, CSX Transportation has a rail line that runs through the middle of town. Several times a day trains rumble through town, providing both a physical and an emotional link to the rest of the world.

 

But the river, of course, has always been the lifeblood of Augusta. There is always a steady stream of boat traffic moving up and down the river. Everything from massive barges to the smallest pleasure craft take advantage of the calm, wide waters of the mighty Ohio River. The small boat dock located just off the main street makes Augusta a perfect stopping place for local boating enthusiasts enjoying a day out on the water.

The history of Augusta as a town dates back to 1797. So, there is plenty of history here. There are many interesting homes and buildings, each with its own unique story. This was an important part of the Underground Railroad making Augusta an interesting mix of north and south.

As a photographer, Augusta is a dream come true. It allows me to incorporate many of my favorite subjects in one location: transportation (especially trains), architecture, water, and small-town ambience. It is certainly on my list of favorite places to visit and photograph.

If you would like to see more images of Augusta, head on over to my featured gallery, River Town.

For more information about the town and its history check out their office webpage here: https://www.augustaky.com/.

Featured

New Images of the Old South

I am not from the South. I was born and raised in Ohio, but I have lived in North Carolina for 17 years. This, perhaps, gives me a different perspective on the southern states. I am not a native, but I am not exactly a newcomer either. Being in this position leaves me with less preconceived notions about what the South is, or should be. Hopefully this allows me to be more objective when making photographs.

Over the years the South has received a lot of bad press. Some of it is deserved, some not. This is to be expected from a region that constantly walks a fine line between trying to shed some of its past while still
clinging to old traditions.

Of course, with such diversity and disparity there are always a great many things to photograph here. We have some of the most modern, technologically advanced cities just a few miles down the road from beautifully preserved small towns. There is so much history and so many interesting people. Everything and place and person seems to have a story to tell.

And yes, southern hospitality is real. It is not uncommon in the least to be in a store, or taking a walk and have a complete stranger start up a genuine conversation. You don’t always get that in other places.

I had a friend who once described herself as “subtle, like a sledgehammer”. This is a fitting characterization of the South. Things here often seem calm on the surface but anything but beneath. If you have ever had
real southern sweet tea you know what I mean. However, despite some of the negative connotations about the South, I still think the good outweighs the bad.

One of the best things about the south is springtime . The South is a very special place this time of year. The magnolias, dogwoods, and redbuds explode into bloom, seemingly overnight. I never knew there were so
many shades of pink and variations of white. As I am writing this the birds are singing, the trees and flowers are blooming, and yet another storm is about to blow in. There is probably a metaphor in there somewhere – in the South there is always beauty, there is always turbulence, there is always a change just beyond the horizon.

Please check out my gallery “New Images of the Old South”. These images are my interpretation of what the south means to me.

City on a Hill

When you live in central North Carolina eventually you get asked the question “The beach or the mountains?”. Since we are roughly equidistant to both there are always discussions about the relative merits of each destination. Whenever I have some free time and a full tank of gas I am usually headed to the mountains.

One of my “go to” mountain locations is the little town of Galax, Virginia. It is a logical choice as it is one of the closest high country destinations from my home, as well as being very inexpensive. Of course, if it were just a matter of convenient location that would scarcely be a reason to visit. Like most small towns, Galax is much more than meets the eye.

For many years Galax was to me just a sign along the interstate. Traveling to and from Ohio I would always pass the exit without giving much thought to the name on the sign. Even though it was just a few miles down the road I never seemed to have enough time or inclination to visit.

Finally, curiosity got the better of me and on one of my trips I decided to make an overnight stop. This would be the first of regular visits to photograph what has become one of my favorite destinations.

At this point, I should mention that I am a collector of small towns. Not collecting in a literal sense, (After all where would I put them!) but more a way of experiencing, cataloging, and photographing each one. Galax, was a perfect candidate for my list of favorite towns. It checks all the boxes: not too big, not too small; a mountain setting; and a little off the beaten path.

There are many things to like about Galax. The surrounding mountain landscape is serene and comforting. Although the elevation is over 2300 feet the scenery has the appearance of rolling hills with a substantial amount of farm and pastoral land. The big mountain peaks, however, always loom just on the horizon. In addition, the Blue Ridge Parkway is just a few miles down the road.

The town itself is classic small town America. Tree-lined Main Street has an interesting variety of “mom and pop” businesses, including at least two ice cream shops and several good restaurants. Galax is an important hub for country and bluegrass music. Several of the local businesses support the city’s musical heritage.

All of these things make Galax a great place to spend some time and to capture some great photographs. Even though I have been to this small town many times I never run out of photo subjects. There are plenty of interesting people and places here to keep my camera shutter clicking for many more trips.

If you would like to see some of my favorite images of Galax, go to my featured gallery, City on a Hill. And if you want to learn more about the town and it’s history check out the Wikipedia page here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galax,_Virginia or simply Google Galax, Virginia.

The Unspoken Beauty of Desolation


If someone were to ask me what is my favorite thing I would say “peace and quiet”. That may sound a bit pessimistic but it’s not meant to be. As a true introvert, I have never been a big fan of crowds and commotion. I get why people like these environments, but they are not for me.

Most of us have probably heard the expression about the difference between lonely and being alone. I spent a great deal of time on my own, sometimes by choice and sometimes not. I am very good at being alone without being lonely. It is no exaggeration to say I am my own best friend.

This mindset extends to my preferences as a photographer. I often seek out places that are remote and desolate.

The first photograph to the left is an image of the old coast guard station at Oregon Inlet along North Carolina’s outer banks. Looking at it, you can almost hear the sound of the wind and the waves and nothing else.

The second photo is an image of a favorite tree that grows along the Blue Ridge Parkway in southern Virginia. I always stop to visit and photograph it whenever I am travelling that way. This particular specimen is a large oak that stands alone in an expansive meadow. I think this tree is more majestic and striking because it is solitary. It seems happy in its isolation.

I would not describe my photographic style as minimalistic but rather “simplified”. I always strive to separate the main subject from its surroundings. Deciding what not to show in an image is just as important, if no more so, than what to include. It also seems to have a calming effect on me, and hopefully on the viewer as well.

What about you? Do you have a favorite destination that is quiet and peaceful? Or maybe it is an activity or distraction? Please click on the “leave comment” link above. I would love to hear from you. Also, if you would like to see all of my current galleries click here or click the link at the top of the page.