Light quality is perhaps the most underrated aspect of photography. Here I definitely found it. Also underrated is our own Beale Street. I know a lot of locals like me write off Beale as an annoying tourist destination. It might be that sure but you can't beat the people watching. Good people watching = great photos.
September 2016
The Barista Parlor Art Wall
One of my favorite things about Nashville is something that you may not have noticed. I try to make it to Barista Parlor, an excellent—if intimidating—coffee shop, every time I'm town. They are known for their atmosphere, Nashville celebrity sightings and of course, their coffee. But what they might not be known for is that behind their sign (which is mounted on a large concrete wall) they have one of the best graffiti walls I've ever seen. Not only is the art work awesome, but it rotates at a pretty frequent clip. So often in fact I'm sure I've missed a lot of it. So the next time you're in Nashville and at Barista Parlor, instead of looking for Jack White and Dan Auerbach—have a cup of coffee and take a look behind the wall. It's likely you'll see some really great graffiti.
You can find my Barista Parlor album on my Flickr page.
Barista Parlor
Barista Parlor is our favorite coffee shop in Nashville. While the hipster vibe (and line) can be off the charts its a coffee shop with great coffee, food & art. They also have a more chill spot in The Gulch which is just as nice. Be sure to check out the mural/graffiti wall on the other side of the Barista Parlor sign.
Flickr Favorites - Week 46
Every day I post 5-10 photos to my Flickr page. At the end of the week I try to write about some of my favorites from the week. Click on the photo and it will take you to the photo on Flickr.
Here is Week 46:
For the past several years Atlanta has hosted the Living Walls Street Art Festival. Fortunately we arrived in Atlanta a week after the festival ended so there were lots of excellent pieces like this one by Fintan Magee. They have a bike tour that goes by all the murals too. Can't wait to go back next year and see what they put up.
The Sheraton Hotel in Phoenix, Arizona. Judging by the number of photos on my site you would think I was hired by Sheraton to shoot their hotel. While I am available for that sort of thing this was not the case. This hotel fit in perfectly with the colors and landscape of Phoenix. Also had one of the coolest rooftop pools I have seen. Its hard to believe a hotel can be your muse but on this Phoenix trip it definitely was.
Another hotel but this time in my home of Memphis, TN. The Madison Hotel in my opinion is the best hotel in Memphis (yes even more than The Peabody). There was something that struck me with just the two rooms with their lights on. Be sure to check out the rooftop if you stay there for one of the best views in the city.
I live just off one of the most authentic Memphis streets, Summer Avenue. I pass this sign almost every day and I'm a sucker for old signs like this. One could easily do a photo essay on Summer Avenue (hint hint). I see something new every day on my commutes.
Great shirt from one the spectators of the Dragon Con parade that takes place in Atlanta every year. You can see some more photos from my post earlier in the week.