memFIX + lovebooth

[ Crosstown at Cleveland and Overton Park ] Pop-up shops, food trucks, artists market, barber's station, new bike lanes, skateboard ramps, climbing walls, live music, an outdoor movie... a great neighborhood in the making. Way more than I could fit on one roll of film.  Here are a few shots I was able to get on my Nikon F camera. Our very own Melissa Sweazy created the LoveBooth to raise money for the Church Health Center and of course to spread some much needed love. The most popular component of the LoveBooth was the Love Advice offered by kids age 6 and under inspired by the Charlie Brown/Lucy psychiatic advice booth. Not sure how much their love life may improve but it certainly got smiles on everyone's faces.

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.

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.

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.

luvmud 2011 - emphasis on "luv"

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

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.

Cardboard Surfing

[ Redbirds Baseball Stadium ] Cardboard surfing really is the most popular past time for kids during the game. The great mural in the background, commissioned by the UrbanArt Commission, is "A Note for Hope" by Jeff Zimmerman. This photo was also submitted as a part of the UrbanArt Commission website. / The Redbirds are currently playing home games until this Thursday.

Vintage Style

[ Court Square ] The stylish audience listening to the live music in front of me.

Happy 4th



NikonF, Kodak GC 400, f2.8



Music, Fashion & A Trolley Crash

[ South Main Trolley Tour ] Last Friday night, there was the expected live music and fashionable ladies but a trolley crashed into a vehicle was not the everyday scene. It was a rarity my four year old insisted I document. It answered his "What if a trolley hit a car!?" question a few months back. / Film photographs from the classic Nikon F I'm testing out for a friend. Click to enlarge.

Behind the Flowers

[ Memphis Farmer's Market ] Jill, one of the hardest working people in Memphis as co-owner of Whitton Farms and the Trolley Stop Market. / She looks like she needs a break. Taken last year, as some of you may have noticed she has an upcoming role as mommy. Congrats Jill and Keith.

Kite Flying

[ Shelby Farms Park ] Anyone ready for the weekend?

Mini Scooters + Roller Skates

[ Tom Lee Park ] Love the mini scooter + roller skate combo. I'm pretty sure I can still meet the weight limit on these things. / Photo is pre-flood. We're glad the flood craze is over. Tom Lee will be open for Sunset Symphony this weekend.

DRAG'N FROZEN TREATS

[ COURT SQUARE ] This is Sam wheeling around his custom made frozen treat cart the first day he was open for business earlier this week. He was selling Lemon Sorbet, Snickers ice cream bars, Klondike bars, and frozen lemonade. He even asked what sort of things I wanted to see him sell because he would change it up frequently. Look for him out and about today. See a photo of the lemon sorbet I ordered here.

MEET SOPHORN

Today (or tonight rather), I’m reluctantly introducing myself. I’m Sophorn McRae *chirp, chirp* and I honestly don’t know what else to say but that I feel like Mr. Brainwash among a group of Banksies letting me tag along and watch them work. Since none of them would volunteer to start a street photography blog, I took on the task to showcase Memphis through their talents.

THE SCOOP My full time passion is design – architecture, interiors, and graphics. Photography I would consider artistic instant gratification. I first used photographs to have nice artwork for the wall but soon saw much more potential. Since starting a blog on design and Memphis two years ago, I used photographs to support the story; and since starting this blog, I understand that a beautiful photograph can extend the image of the city much farther than we realize.

PHOTOS The photos shown above are taken in Cambodia, my home country, and in various, mostly kid friendly, places around Memphis.

SPECIFIC TO SEEN MEMPHIS Still trying to understand the definition of street photography, I personally define it much like I approach architecture. People activate the space. I could not see photographing a place without photographing the interaction people have with their environment or with each other.

LINKS Blog / Flickr / Twitter

HELLO

Nikon N75, 28mm, F4.5, ISO 800 film

HELLO MEMPHIS  This blog is for you. The world is watching us whether we are looking our best or not, but you know something, we don't need to put on an appearance of cool or charming. We are cool and charming.  Memphis is genuine, and we hope to show that in our love for the city and its people who make it genuine.

Read more on the blog's origin here.

PHOTO  Downtown South Main / Mr. Cory, the friendliest (and cutest) trolley driver you'll see, passing by just after he said hello to me. He's also my four year old Atticus' favorite trolley driver, and for the longest time, he has requested a photo of Mr. Cory that I finally timed just right.

UPCOMING  Individual introductions to the contributors showcasing their current work and what we may expect to see from them here on this blog. We hope you check back often.