Then and Now....Before and After....Young and not so young.

Back in 1988 I was about to open my first commercial studio on Fairview road at Five Points in Raleigh. I was also one of a number of photographers that spent one day photographing the state of North Carolina for a project called "The Big Click", a take off from Eric Smolan's Day in the Life Book Projects. My choice of assignment was to document the life in Five Points. Lately I've been revisiting those images and have been updating them from the same location. It's fascinating to see what changes have occurred and conversely what hasn't changed. In this image, Chuck has been working on my cars since I moved to Five Points in 1987. Back then he managed the Yates 66 gas station for Mr and Mrs Yates who now live in Charlotte. Today he owns the business called Five Points Service. Not much has changed except Chuck no longer sells gas due to the low margins. His hairline as receded as well. He told me that disc brakes now cost over $200.00.

I've photographed the Rialto Theater a number of times. Here my goal was to reproduce the 1988 version as closely as possible. I wish the car wasn't there, but I will probably revisit the image another day. During the 80's the Rialto was often a music venue. I remember walking my corgi Pippa one day while Arlo Guthrie was taking a smoke break on the sidewalk. I didn't stop to chat, although probably could have.

These photographs are part of an ongoing series that updates photographs that I have done in the past. I believe photography is most valuable as a historical record of the world around us. There are photographs that have no artistic esthetic value at all but over time develop a historical value that is far more important. I often tell people that we don't look at the quality of our yearbook pictures after 20 years...we just want to see what we looked like.

83 Celebration!

With the start of the NCAA sweet sixteen this weekend, I thought I would post this composite image that I just created for a neighbor whose father is a huge NC State fan. I was the student publication photographer shooting for the yearbook and newspaper that day in 1983 when NC State beat Houston to win the National Championship. It was a wild finish. I was young and shot too much film that day so I ran out when before the trophy was presented. However, I got two photographs that not many other people have. Lorenzo Charles' last second dunk to win the game and Valvano running around like a mad man trying to find someone to hug. In the composite, the image of Lorenzo Charles obsures another large photographer that stood got in my way as I was shooting. The next image shows much of the team celebrating, but Valvano is gone from the frame. At the time, you think that this is what is supposed to happen when NC State plays basketball. Little did we know that it would be downhill from there and as we very quickly approach 30 years since that event, we realize how one has to appreciate those moments we have that may never be repeated in our lifetime.

If you would like a copy, please visit this link.

62" Canvas Print of Raleigh Skyline

Well...I've printed this photograph to a 62" canvas frame ready to hang...and it looks fantastic. Currently I'm taking it around to show potential buyers. I'm also making it a fundraiser for Trees Across Raleigh who will get a percentage of the proceeds.

If you have an interest in this very limited edition print for your office, please let me know. I can come out and show you how it will look on your wall.

Potential Christmas 2011 Cards!

I ventured out early Monday morning to catch the sun coming up after a day of snowfall on Sunday...the day after Christmas. Not many cars ventured out due to the ice and I decided to walk from my house. Of course I slipped right away not 50 feet from my front door, but no damage fortunately. Leaving before 7am, I walked for 6 miles stopping at the Capital to revisit various photographs I had done earlier. A little more interesting with snow on the ground. It was probably not a good idea to wear my old snow boots, and as a result suffered a bad blister after about 2 miles. However, I now have several photographs that might be possible specialty Christmas cards next year.

Winter Snow hits Raleigh at Christmas!

More cards for next years Christmas season. This week was a great opportunity to pull together an entire Christmas set for next year when 6-8 inches of snow dumped on us the day after Christmas. Probably as close to a white Christmas as we're ever going to get. However, it was beautiful just the same.

This morning I ventured out albeit a tad late, but didn't want to kill myself on the ice. Immediately fell down crossing the street in front of my house. Probably made me more careful... and ended up walking all the way to Memorial Auditorium and back. It was a little cold and I hadn't worn my boots in a while, so I developed a painful blister. Consequently I was determined to get some good photographs. This is just a sampling, but my favorite is probably of the bike in front of my garage when I got back.

Raleigh Greeting Cards

I've created two boxed sets of greeting cards from my latest work around town. If you are looking for a nice gift to give at the holidays, this might be a good alternative. Each individually wrapped card is 4-3/4"x6-1/2" and printed on matt surface art papers. Each box of 8 cards is $24.00 plus tax. Pretty good deal for art cards.

If you would like to buy a set, click on the links below.

Tree Cards: As a board member for Trees Across Raleigh, I have spent more time lately looking at the trees in our environment. Raleigh in the fall is every bit as beautiful as any mountain town.

City Cards: Raleigh has been my hometown now for over 40 years. I thought it was high time for me to start photographing it again.

Fine Art Prints: Please also check out our fine art prints that are currently on sale for $125.00 down from $225.00 until January 1st. We also have been selling large canvas prints which look incredible. I'm currently printing to order, but hopefully I'll be doing a show in 2011.

Tree Study

Two additional tree studies now added to the collection. Please visit http://www.simong.com/artprints for more information! 13x17 prints on sale until January.