As with any year, there have been highs and lows with this one. Rather than write the year off and join the “good riddance club,” I’m spending the last few days of the year reflecting on the quiet hallelujahs.
I photographed the marquee at the Cinderella Theatre in Williamson 37 times this year (mostly with my iPhone, but occasionally with my real camera). Back in February, I wrote about why.
To the photo editors who might be reading this, if you ask me to work on an assignment within 30 miles of Williamson, I will somehow - unapologetically - include a picture of this when I file my images.
For nearly a decade, my wife and I have gone to our best friends’ camp on the Webster/Nicholas County line every Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day weekend (she’s actually been going there for nearly 25 years). It’s become part of our family tradition.
I was only able to go once this year, but I never cease to be amazed by what a quiet morning there reveals if I’m willing to see it.
I spent some time near rivers this year; particularly the Tug Fork and Guyandotte. I began work on my Tug Fork project which took me to its headwaters below Jenkinjones and its confluence where it meets the Levisa Fork to become the Big Sandy in Fort Gay.
This year, I saw the Tug Fork flow quietly on its northerly course and also saw it burst out of its banks and devastate small towns in its path. In February, I delivered water and cleaning supplies and helped muck out homes in McDowell County. I witnessed the power of community and the brokenness of government.
I saw with my camera, but I saw with my heart, too.
I tried to pay more attention this year. I tried to move slower, drive slower, be more intentional. I visited longer, lingered more, and asked more questions. Showed up early and stayed late. I did my level best to honor both people and place.
I’ll keep working on all these things in the coming year.
I didn’t buy a lot of photobooks this year, but I knew back in the summer that these two books would be the ones I’d still be thinking about when the days grew shorter and temperatures fell. I don’t forcibly recommend books often, but get these while you can.
This Alabaster Grave by Cengiz Yar. Watch this video and buy the book.
It’s hard to stop rebels that time travel by Raymond Thompson Jr. Watch this video (starting around 36 minutes in specifically about this work) and buy the book.
Thanks to everyone who allowed me into your life this year. Whether it was in front of my camera, around a fire, or through this newsletter, thank you. I hope you all had a Merry Christmas and I wish you a Happy New Year!
- Roger
I saw with my camera, but I saw with my heart, too
Great line.
Keep seeing!
Wow. You wrote:
I saw with my camera, but I saw with my heart, too.
I read:
I saw with my camera, but I looked with my heart, first.