Skyline

Court Square Lights

Veterans Day Parade

The Downtown Veterans Day Parade is always a fun and moving event to see. I used to march in it every year when I was in high school (band nerd), but the poignance of the event has only dawned on me as an adult. Vets of all ages watch and march in this parade, and the celebration is a nice token of appreciation for their sacrifices.

For more from the parade, check out the slideshow here.

Trolley Ride

Trolley photographs will always be taken by tourists and local Memphians alike but none give you quite the experience as an actual video of the trolley ride itself. Memphis photographer Jason Lee created a video that really is the sum of amazing moving photographs. Posted are some stand alone stills from the video at the bottom. Watch it with the sound on and you'll catch the magical quality that all kids seem to be entranced by.

See more work from Jason here. He also works as a 3-d artist with Paradigm Marketing & Creative.

Trolley Ride from jason allen lee on Vimeo.

River Arts Fest 2011

One of the best arts and crafts festivals in the area took place last weekend. Thanks Dirk for taking photos just as gorgeous and artistic as the ones on display.

Happy Friday, Happy Dance

[ Dancing at Cooper-Young Fest ] To get you in the mood for the weekend. Photo by Ziggy Mack. (By the way, go see Footloose!)

luvmud 2011 - emphasis on "luv"

Feeling super sappy today. Here are moments of "luv" during luvmud day 2.

luvmud 2011 [ Josh Malahy ]

[ day 2 ] luvmud 5k 2011by the amazing Josh Malahy with his digital Leica M8 and Fuji X100, perfect for street photography. Josh usually shoots gorgeous weddings using mostly film (which makes me an instant fan), but we hope he contributes more Memphis street photography soon. Check out his website here.

luvmud 2011 [ Dirk Olsen ]

[ Day 2 ] luvmud 5k beautifully captured by Dirk Olsen.

luvmud 2011 kids' run [ Ziggy Mack ]

What's more fun than getting muddy? Cleaning up in water sprayed from a fire truck! luvmud's addition of the kids' race this year was a triumphant success. They also gained a great volunteer photographer this year too - Ziggy Mack. Thanks Ziggy for this set. I'm sure you'll see more luvmud photos on here soon.

LeanIn

Nikon D3000, 1/250s, f/5.6, ISO 200, 55mm

[ young love ] Memphis photographer Jackie G. Ellison scours the urban environment with his camera like no else I've seen in Memphis. He captured this intimate moment in the busiest part of downtown - Beale Street.  Honestly, I usually gag at PDA but I'm feeling the sweetness in Jackie's photo. Have a lovely weekend!

See more of Jackie's photography at his site itchyshutterfinger.

September South Main Trolley Tour

Art, music, and revelry again for the September Trolley Tour.  This time, several of the contributors to this blog and other area photogs met up for some fun.  Oddly, I was the only photographer there who actually brought a camera along, so you folks are stuck with a few of my photos of the evening.

UrbanArch Park(ing) Day Graffiti Art

The other side to the UrbanArch Park(ing) art installation mentioned in the previous post, taken with a Lomo Fisheye camera. Notice the seams to the graffiti wall designed as a giant puzzle so it could be disassembled for the art auction happening this week. Bid on your favorite puzzle piece here. All proceeds go to the UrbanArt Commission.

Park(ing) Day Memphis - Happening Now

Today in downtown Memphis near Peabody and Main, Memphis is hosting it's first Park(ing) Day a worldwide event where various groups take a parking spot or two and turn them into mini parks. Until 5pm, you'll find graffiti artists (UrbanArch); a wall to paint your own art, listen to live music, and play table tennis (Habitat for Hope/LuvMud); an art exhibit (Memphis Regional Design Center); and even a giant see-saw called the "teeter tire" (brg3s). Check them out. I'll be lounging with the Habitat for Hope group this afternoon. See you there.