Work Zombies

[Blind Bear, 6pm] I guess you can say this blog is sorta back from the dead. I know we've all been busy with work but I can say that this Halloween I can just easily be a zombie 'cause a long crazy work day can definitely turn your brain into mush. The guys in the photo are winding down at the Blind Bear Speakeasy. I can definitely relate to the guy on the left. -Happy Halloween!

Memphis through the La Sardina {Giveaway}

[ downtown memphis and Levitt Shell ] I've been testing out the La Sardina 35mm wide angle camera from Lomography and love the dreamlike quality of these street shots at the farmer's market and on the City Market Deli patio. If you want a chance to win a La Sardina camera of your own (shown below) click here and follow the instructions. ~sophorn

Trolley Mania Part 1

[Main Street Trolley] A brief walk along Main Street during dusk and the tracks were bustling. I have a lot more trolley photos that's worth sharing but here's a few to remind everyone that trolley tour is tonight starting at 6. Come by the Klein Fitness at Vance and S. Main to see some work from several of our seen memphis photographers promoting LuvMud.

Camera Ready

[ Beale St Music Fest 2012 ] What's fun about Ziggy is that he's fascinated with other photographers and documents them in action. A rare scene to have the photographer in front of the lens. ~sophorn

Meet Ziggy / 2012 Beale Street Music Fest

Meet our newest contributor Ziggy Mack whose street photography has been featured enough times on seen memphis that we can't deny his talents anymore. He's always zipping around Memphis with his camera in hand, catching moments when people seem the most at ease and just letting it loose like his latest photos of this year's Beale Street Music Festival. Welcome Ziggy! The group is glad to have you.  Here's more about Ziggy and his street photography style in his own words.

I got into photography sometime during college where I worked at BRIDGES. I took still shots with an outdated video camera for one of their summer camps. I enjoyed the experience so much that purchased a small digital camera with the money I made from that gig. Fast forward a few years and a broken camera later, my brother took notice into my photography and bought me my first dslr. From there most of my experience was gained from shooting night clubs and concert events. 

I got into street photography when I started noticing I had a knack for candid shots during events and world travels. 

Street photography strikes a chord with me when motion, emotion, and asymmetry meet one another all at the right moment. I'm quite the fan of movement or the sense of movement in pictures. Combining that with mood gives the image more life and dimension. 

I'm also a fan of documenting sub-cultures and different types lifestyles as well. I spend most of my time documenting street artists such as b-boys (i.e., break dancers) as they practice or perform for an audience. I also like photographing events around Memphis that involve a lot of action: Musicfest, Luvmud 5k, skateboard/BMX events, etc. As of right now, I'm primarily focusing most of my attention on portraiture of eccentric and aesthetically pleasing people.

Happy Hour

[ Local Gastropub Patio ] A great place to unwind after work.

In Stride

A beautiful sunset on Union and Main. The horse in stride made the scene look complete.

Redbirds Baseball Park

[ Sunday Afternoon Baseball Game ] Here's a new way to see one of downtown's best design decisions. The Redbirds baseball park and stadium from the top of the Peabody Hotel with the Lensbaby Edge 80 Optic for the miniature appearance, or since I work with firm that designed it, I like to think of it as an instant scale model.  ~sophorn

Photo by Dirk Olsen.

cruising

[ Tom Lee Park ] Ladies, watch out for this little guy in 10 years.

Above the Street Musicians

[ Central Station ] Since this is the first day of love month, I wanted to post something sorta romantic and cool about Memphis. There are so many ways passionate musicians get their music out. These guys are playing to the trolley tour crowd below from their apartment window.

Oh and welcome to 2012. Can't wait to see what the people of Memphis are going to creatively stir up this year.

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.

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.