Music at the Intersection & Assorted Happenings Around STL
Last weekend saw Oktoberfest, Chuseok Harvest, Taste of Black St. Louis, Lebanese Fest, and Music at the Intersection. It made for a mixed bag in terms of getting images I like, but I did enjoy getting to see so many different kinds of events in a day. I still think it’s worth it to go and cover events as they come up and I’ll continue doing so, but it can indeed feel limiting. Yes, there are a lot of people out there peopling, but in a narrow band of behaviors: waiting in lines for food stalls, drinking, watching a performer. I need to be more mindful and patient when I go to an event, wait to find the signal in the noise. For me, that would be the more unusual moments—or perspectives, moving around more to try different angles or focussing in on part of the crowd to get clear subjects.
My list I’ve just jotted down that I’ll leave in my camera bag and now read before every shoot:
-slow down, take your time
-always ask “why am I taking this picture?”
-rule of thirds
-change lenses at least once per shoot or photowalk
-move around
50mm, f/3.5
This man I met at Taste of Black St. Louis--whose name I honestly don't recall, as I meet a lot of people these days--was one of the best interactions I've had so far. He was supportive and a fun conversation, a local DJ.
50mm, f/3.5
85mm, f/3.5
Mayor Jones, the first Black female mayor of St. Louis. Which is worth noting... she wasn't sworn in until April of 2021 despite St. Louis being 44% Black.
50mm, f/3.5
50mm, f/3.5
Centered is Alfred Montgomery, who recently beat incumbent Vernon Betts in the race for St. Louis City Sheriff. This photojournal isn't the place for it, but it's a story worth googling.
50mm, f/3.5
50mm, f/3.5
50mm, f/3.5
Mayor Jones
50mm, f/3.5
Walking to the Lebanese festival.
24mm, f/4
50mm, f/3.5
50mm, f/3.5
50mm, f/3.5
50mm, f/3.5
Chuseok Harvest
50mm, f/8
50mm, f/8
50mm, f/8
New construction at Powell Hall, an approximately $100mn project, $70mn of which was donated by Jack Taylor, now deceased but the founder of Enterprise.
50mm, f/8
50mm, f/8
A teenage blues band playing outside Music to the Intersection.
50mm, f/8
From here on out, images from Music at the Intersection.
50mm, f/8
50mm, f/8
50mm, f/8
50mm, f/8
50mm, f/8
My friend Ryan's portrait of me after I made the poor choice of getting a Turkey leg on a 90 degree day at a music festival.
50mm, f/8
My counter-portrait of Ryan.
50mm, f/8
85mm, f/8
Just a quick note as I've mentioned elsewhere, when I shoot on an 85mm it's an EF mount of the Canon family--which apart from the smaller frame size requires a lens converter that changes the focal length to 135mm.
50mm, f/8
50mm, f/8
