This series of selected black and white photos were shot from 1977 to 1999, with Pentax cameras and 35mm film.
Locations included Eaton Ranch, Wyoming; Mahoning Cemetery, Youngstown, Ohio; Rocky Ford, Colorado; and the Roys family farm, Harpersfield, Ohio. Several family member informal portraits are also included, from various locations and dates.
Images from the family farm were photographed in 1977 as coursework requirements for my AAB degree in graphic design.
Eaton Ranch photographs were shot during a late May, 1998 photo shoot field trip for the Sheridan High School photography students.
Mahoning Cemetery photos were shot on an afternoon during my student teaching experience at Chaney High School in Youngstown, Ohio.
Cemetery shots from Rocky Ford, Colorado reveal the diverse mix of populations that have lived in the area. The front of the cemetery has graves of the caucasian population, and is very traditional. Midway back, I was surprised to find a large section of Japanese graves, which I first thought might be related to the Japanese internment camp from WWII. I was told by some of the older locals Japanese families were housed in the horse stalls at the local fairgrounds during the war; I do not know if this is true. Closer analysis would indicate this was not the case, as the headstone dates did not correlate. Most likely, they were related to workers building the Santa Fe Railroad line.
The far back section of the Rocky Ford Cemetery are mostly Hispanic graves, many hand-made, and including photos, marbles, and personal items. I found these the most poignant and moving, the idea of direct involvement in creating a loved one’s headstone.
Cemetery shots from the Mahoning Cemetery in Youngstown reveal the wealth of this former steel-producing giant, now experiencing difficult economic times due to factory closings as American steel is replaced by less expensive imports.
My selection of informal family portraits focused on unguarded, unposed moments. My son, Alex, running through the lawn sprinkler, just before the drop of water is released from his chin.
After 2000, my photographic work switched to digital. The ability to take hundreds of shots, then select from them, opened up a different phase of photography for me.
When I look back on these 35mm film photographs, I remember the time and care spent trying to frame and capture each image, the selective judgements, in relation to the costs and time of the film process.
Eaton Ranch, Wyoming
Date: 1998
Youngstown, Ohio | Mahoning Cemetery
Date: 1989
Youngstown, Ohio | Mahoning Cemetery
Date: 1989
Eaton Ranch, Wyoming
Date: 1998
Eaton Ranch, Wyoming
Date: 1998
Eaton Ranch, Wyoming
Date: 1998
Harpersfield, Ohio
Date: 1977
Harpersfield, Ohio
Date: 1977
Harpersfield, Ohio
Date: 1977
Eaton Ranch, Wyoming
Date: 1998
Eaton Ranch, Wyoming
Date: 1998
Rocky Ford, Colorado
Date: 1996
Eaton Ranch, Wyoming
Date: 1998
Youngstown, Ohio | Mahoning Cemetery
Date: 1989
Eaton Ranch, Wyoming
Date: 2004
Date: 1980
Rocky Ford, Colorado
Date: 1996
Rocky Ford, Colorado
Date: 1996
Rocky Ford, Colorado
Date: 1996
Rocky Ford, Colorado
Date: 1996
Rocky Ford, Colorado
Date: 1996
Eaton Ranch, Wyoming
Date: 1998
Date: 1988
Youngstone, Ohio | Mahoning Cemetery
Date: 1989
Date: 1988
Eaton Ranch, Wyoming
Date: 1998