“To me, photography is an art of observation. It’s about finding something interesting in an ordinary place… I’ve found it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them.” – Elliot Erwitt
This has been a productive week for photography here in Tarboro, and I have several good “Photo Friday” images to share.
I will start with a shout out to our daughter, Naomi, who is celebrating her birthday today. The picture comes from last weekend’s night out with Craig, when they attended a Nate Bargatze performance in Orlando. I can’t say enough about how much I appreciate Nate’s clean, positive, story-telling approach to comedy. And I have to think that he is such a huge success because America is hungry for decency and grace and humor that doesn’t come with barbs attached.
It has long been my theory (or hope) that the majority of Americans would be more than happy to see an end to all things mean-spirited and argumentative. Take a leaf out of Nate’s book, all you politicians and commentators and pundits, and you could start by learning to laugh at yourselves once in a while.
The other photographs:
Here in Tarboro, the weather has been a tad more pleasant of late, making work out in the garden accessible again. Just incremental progress, a few hours at a time, but I do believe Rebekah and I are getting somewhere. Hence these photographs of weeding and spreading mulch.
Up until this week all my work was effectively reversed every few days via new crops of weeds thanks to the rain and the heat. But this time I not only pulled weeds but managed to get some fresh mulch on the ground so – just maybe – I will emerge victorious!
Then across the street our church – Howard Memorial – is once again demonstrating how seriously we take our responsibility to care for the property.
More than a decade ago Tarboro – after many years of neglecting to maintain the Old Town Cemetery – deeded it to HMPC and this is our latest project in the ongoing restoration.
A mason is rebuilding the wall around “The Confederate Cemetery,” a section within the old town plot. Part of our witness is that of creatively caring for these urban green-spaces so the community can enjoy a park-like “you are welcome” atmosphere around the church.
On the other side of Saint James and Saint David, our friends at Calvary Episcopal Church continue to showcase a lovely selection of ancient trees amongst the generations of graves. It is a deeply sacred and moving space.
Today’s selection of photos (in the gallery below) is rounded out with this shot of local photographer Bill Goode, who generously gifted us with one of our favorite Tarboro scenes, his well-known photograph of Main Street on a snowy day.
Over the past several decades, Bill has made his name as the quintessential Tarboro photographer. He does the sort of professional photography I used to point out to my mother when she told me I should try to sell photo books featuring my work.
“Thanks, Mum,” I would say, “but this is what the work of a real photographer looks like!”
So please enjoy looking at this collection and remember – every day – that learning how to see clearly is as much of an art as clicking the camera. And we all can take the time to see this amazing world with more gratitude and give thanks accordingly.
Have an amazing weekend! – DEREK
