JUNE ROYS

ROYS DESIGN

Photography

Black & White 35mm Film

PORTFOLIO STATEMENT

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.

Truck Grill

Eaton Ranch, Wyoming
Date: 1998

Monk's Face

Youngstown, Ohio | Mahoning Cemetery
Date: 1989

Feet of Christ Statue

Youngstown, Ohio | Mahoning Cemetery
Date: 1989

Hose Reel

Eaton Ranch, Wyoming
Date: 1998

Discarded Wooden Flat

Eaton Ranch, Wyoming
Date: 1998

Elk Skull

Eaton Ranch, Wyoming
Date: 1998

Jeep

Harpersfield, Ohio
Date: 1977

Silo

Harpersfield, Ohio
Date: 1977

Ace and Mac, Playing

Harpersfield, Ohio
Date: 1977

Door Latch

Eaton Ranch, Wyoming
Date: 1998

Leaning Fence

Eaton Ranch, Wyoming
Date: 1998

Hispanic Grave Marker 01

Rocky Ford, Colorado
Date: 1996

Bunkhouse Sinks

Eaton Ranch, Wyoming
Date: 1998

Praying Mary Statue

Youngstown, Ohio | Mahoning Cemetery
Date: 1989

Resting Stock Horses

Eaton Ranch, Wyoming
Date: 2004

Reza Faryani, Sleeping

Date: 1980

Hispanic Grave Marker 02

Rocky Ford, Colorado
Date: 1996

Hispanic Grave Headstone

Rocky Ford, Colorado
Date: 1996

Hispanic Grave Marker 03

Rocky Ford, Colorado
Date: 1996

Irrigation Pipeline

Rocky Ford, Colorado
Date: 1996

Japanese Headstone

Rocky Ford, Colorado
Date: 1996

Barn Light

Eaton Ranch, Wyoming
Date: 1998

Alex Roys, Smiling

Date: 1988

Stone Angel

Youngstone, Ohio | Mahoning Cemetery
Date: 1989

Alex Roys, Running In Sprinkler

Date: 1988

Chair And Fan

Eaton Ranch, Wyoming
Date: 1998