Worth A Look: David Burnett at Lens

Image copyright David Burnett/ Contact Press Images

Awesome set of photos over at Lens (the NYT photojournalism blog) by David Burnett of the 1969 Apollo 11 launch that put men on the moon. He photographed the crowds that turned out to watch the launch as opposed to the actual launch and the images are striking in their historic value, but more so for their timelessness and style. Not so far off from many of the current trends in photojournalism, the out of focus foreground objects, the vignetted flash. I like them all when well used, and it is funny to see how it all comes around again. Burnett is one of the best so take a moment.

Click the photo to see the full set.

Polaroid?

Waiting for the services to begin for NC National Guardsman Spc. Robert L. Bittiker to start, Jacksonville, NC.

It has been interesting shooting photos on the phone, like everyone else theses days, but occasionally I get something I never thought I had, a surprise of sorts. Processed to look like everyone’s favorite party favor, but the colors look good and somehow they seem lighter than the photos from the “real cameras” even under circumstances I would not wish on anyone. Trying it out in the down time, the waiting.

Just a Few….

Coastal Carolina State Veterans Cemetery, Jacksonville, NC.

Michael Jackson Memorial, Raleigh, NC.

Been a busy couple of days, I am exhausted. Funny, the contrasts in where this job will take you from day to day.

New Work:The Death of a Same-Sex Spouse

I worked on a story about a same sex couple, Juneann and Pam, a few months ago. They were married (NC does not recognize same sex unions so it was not technically legal) and very much in love when Pam died suddenly leaving June alone and with no legal rights to any say in what happened to Pam after death. It is a sad story of love lost and the right to care for your loved ones denied by the denial of rights to same sex couples, as well as the lack of benefits that would have otherwise gone to the member left behind. In these economic times, the relatively small amount of money could have helped June stay in her home, in which she is now facing eviction.

Read the story here.

Father’s Day interview

Because I travel a good bit for work and I am a father, I was recently interviewed along with several musicians about what it is like to be a father, an artist, etc. and how the travel affects your family and your professional life. Brian John Mitchell was the man behind the scenes at QRD and I thank him for putting the interviews together.

Here is the photo I shot of Brian a few months ago which is how we met and this all came together.

Family

My beautiful wife Alicia checks her email on the 21st century version of the nightlight, the smart phone.

New Work: Governor Morehead School

Due to the huge budget deficit being faced by the state, North Carolina legislators have proposed the closing of several special needs schools, one for emotionally troubled students, and another for the visually impaired.

The above photos are from an hour or 2 that I spent with Paige Strickland, and her mother Jennifer, who graduated from the Morehead School an now is able to go to a standard public elementary school. Her mother, and others, insist that without the initial special schooling their children received, it would be impossible for the kids to enter mainstream society without an even greater handicap than they already have.

New Arrival

On a personal note, I am proud to introduce Pablo Lange, born June 9, 2009. He and his mother are healthy and well.

And in the spirit of equality, his sister Nyx is real happy too.

A fish out of water

Duke Hospital, 5th Floor.

Featured on IndieNC blog

A couple of my photos were featured a few days ago on the IndieNC blog. It seems like a great resource for local happenings and a big thanks to Michelle Smith for the opportunity.