Farewell, Rocky Mount

A CSX train moves through downtown Rocky Mount on Friday as seen from the roof of the Davis Furniture building.  

It's been real, Rocky Mount. Just over a year ago, after being a stringer at The Gaston Gazette for a year, I moved to the little crossroads in Eastern North Carolina to be one of two staff photographers at the Rocky Mount Telegram.

It feels like that year has gone by in a flash.

But a lot has changed in that time. I've learned some hard lessons, I've won a few awards, I've enjoyed the freedom of having a nice apartment to myself, and I've continued to stretch my creativity.

All things considered, I am much better for the experience. The Telegram has been a great place to work, and I have nothing but kind words about the company and my former co-workers.

But I want to advance my career, make enough money to be independent and financial stable, and live in a place close to friends and the activities I enjoy.

Rocky Mount was not such a place, so when a staff job opened up a few weeks ago at The Gazette I looked into it. A few weeks later and I'm back in Gastonia and looking for a good apartment.

It's been a whirlwind of activity. I put in my two week notice at the Telegram, and our other photographer took a planned vacation while I was still there. Gobs of overtime and nary a day off before my last day on Monday, then packing and a drive on Tuesday before my first day at The Gazette today (Wednesday).

And I still have to find an apartment and actually move in the next week or two.

I'm busier than a one armed man trying to hang wallpaper!

In the long run, all the hassles of moving will be worth it, though. I'll be picking up mountain biking and hiking on a regular basis, and making trips to see friends in the Western part of the state now that I live much closer.

I also have a nifty new Canon ID Mark IV and a set of brand new lenses to use. I'm not one to obsess over gear, but this is probably--no, this is the first time I've been equipped with current state of the art gear that hasn't been abused by previous users.

In all honesty, though, a Mark IV isn't that much different than the Mark II bodies I've been using. It performs better in every possible way, especially in low light, but when the light is good there isn't much difference between the two--except for that video thing.

That's a game changer. Good bye crappy handicams, hello 1080p HD video. I'm sure I'll have fun with that.

I'm gonna' stop there and continue my apartment search online. Lots to do...

Baseball Action

Helms makes the throw to first for the double play as Kinston Post 43's C.J. Bradshaw slides in to the bag.

Post 67's Stephen McKinney throws the ball to home as he runs down Post 58's Mike Smith on July 19. Smith was tagged out at home.

Derailed Plans

Ashley Hinton from Warrenton rests on a cart on the platform at the Rocky Mount Train Station around 11:00 p.m. on June 11 after waiting since 2:30 p.m. for a train to Charlotte that was delayed due to a freight train derailment roughly 20 miles North of Rocky Mount.

Rocky Mount Christmas Parade

Down East Viking Football Classic

Elizabeth City State wide receiver Dexter Manly, right, lets a pass slip through his hands as Chowan's Jackey Moore applies pressure during game action in the Down East Viking Football Classic at the Rocky Mount Sports Complex. A member of the Elizabeth City State marching band drum line, below, makes faces while performing at half time.

Elizabeth City State defensive end Malcolm Jenkins, right, strips the ball from the hand of Chowan quarterback CJ Westler.

Comic Shop

Shop owner Jimmy Taylor surrounded with comic books at The Reader's Choice in Rocky Mount.

I was thrilled to find out that my new town has a decent little comic shop with a friendly owner. I was also thrilled to to see nice soft light flooding in from big windows in the front.

Taylor, like most people I photograph, was a little uncomfortable in front of the camera. When I shoot portraits I typically ask my subjects to stand where I need them and tell them they can just relax while I take a few test shots. At some point I discovered that some of the best poses and expressions where in the test shots when the subject was at ease.

Now I sometimes use the 'test shot' statement as a little trick when I want to get people just being themselves with minimal posing or instruction from me. It's pretty cool when you think about it; that with this little slight I'm able to set up lights and go about doing a location shoot right in front of a person without them even realizing they're having their picture made!

Jump!

The above shot is from a feature on back to school fashion. It was a very energetic and fun shoot, the kids seemed perfectly comfortable in front of the camera--maybe even too comfortable.

Oh, and I nailed this shots on the first take!

Harambee!

Freddy "Street Genie" Greene performs on the soprano saxophone Friday evening at the Harambee Festival at Harambee Square in Rocky Mount. Greene is known for his virtuosic performances that frequently involve wandering through the crowd while playing. Below: Sauuda Eshe, left, dances with others in attendance as Greene and his band perform.

Ernest Barnes, 89, above, enjoys a hot dog and a little solitude before the concert. A World War II veteran, Barnes states he doesn't care for jazz--prefering gospel music--but he lives nearby and came to the jazz festival anyway. Downtown Rocky Mount, below, provided a quaint backdrop for performances, complemented by unseasonably cool temperatures.

Happy Fourth!

A gospel singer performs Saturday at the Fourth of July celebration at Englewood Baptist Church in Rocky Mount.

I photographed three separate Independance Day celebrations around town this year, but I didn't get to stick around long enough for fireworks at any of them. How lame! But, hey, we do have deadlines to meet, and I got some good pictures just the same.

Union Man

Portrait of Peter Tapia, former President of the Rocky Mount chapter of The National Association of Letter Carriers.

Sparks

Calvin Staton is surrounded by a spray of sparks as he grinds down new welds on a car in for repair Thursday at Medlin Brothers Body Shop on Hunter Hill Road.

Skatepark Summer

Landon Lucas, 18, above, braves the midday heat to get in some skateboarding Friday at Sunset Park in Rocky Mount. Below: Josh Parker, left, and Tony Johnson take a break from skateboarding Friday in the shade behind a halfpipe.

Mayfair Uproar

Bernice Fuller, above, in front of her home at Mayfair Apartments. Fuller received notice she is being evicted for placing food outside for a stray cat she nicknamed Bojangles after his love for the chicken from the restaurant of the same name.

Below: Dr. Chandra Meachem-Tucker, left, gives Bojangles an exam at Riverside Animal Hospital. Bojangles was brought to the hospital by the Humane Society at the request of Fuller after she received an eviction notice.

Bojangles was diagnosed with Feline immunodeficiency virus (the feline equivalent of HIV), mild heart worms, fleas, cuts, bruises, and other ailments, but according to Meachem-Tucker he could live a long and happy life with treatment and caring owners.

This assignment was gravy!

I haven't announced it hear yet, largely because I've been very busy moving, but I have a new job. Today was my first official day as a staff photographer at The Rocky Mount Telegram in Rocky Mount, NC. 

It was a slow day an there was a lot of orientation stuff I had to do, so I didn't get out and shoot any. I did have an assignment though, and it was gravy.

Literally, it was gravy. 

For a food story I was to do a studio shot of some biscuits smothered in sausage and gravy. While I love some good ol' biscuits and gravy as much as the next guy, they aren't nearly as good to look at as they are to eat. While I failed to make this picture exciting, it was still a gravy assignment. 

The bad news is my mom probably wants to frame the first picture I take on my new job. The good news is that I can only improve from here on out!