Commercial, Advertising and Editorial Photography. Greensboro, North Carolina
(image copyright 2009 by Dan Routh)
Spring and Easter in Greensboro, North Carolina signal an explosion of blooms in the gardens and parks of the city. In the photograph above, pink azaleas show off their color along North Elm Street in the old Fisher Park area.
A herd of highland cattle grazes just outside of Greensboro. Though I believe these particular cows are kept as pets, the Scottish breed is prized for it’s lean meat. The shaggy hair acts as insulation against the cold, a necessity in the cool, damp Highlands of Scotland, so the animals have less fat than standard beef cattle. Smaller in stature than regular beef cows, they have a presence nonetheless.
And yes, both the males and the females have horns.
(photographs copyright by Dan Routh)
(photograph copyright 2009 by Dan Routh)
Men’s casual fashion photography from downtown Greensboro, North Carolina.
(photograph copyright 2009 by Dan Routh)
Large sections of North Carolina were settled by Scots in the 18th and 19th centuries. Both my wife and I claim descent from Scottish families. I have been told that there are more people in North Carolina of Scottish descent than there are in Scotland. Whether that is true or not, I do not know, but in recent years there has been a surge in the Scot culture in this state, and elsewhere. Many highland games are held each year throughout the country featuring highland garb and food, bagpipe bands, heavy highland athletics and dancing, with the largest being the annual highland games at Grandfather Mountain in Linville, North Carolina. Both of my sons have participated in these games over the years, my son Tristan as a piper and my son Devin as a flourishing tenor drummer. There are a couple of pipe bands active in the Greensboro area, The Jamestown Pipes and Drums and the Deep River Pipes and Drums. The photograph above is of a drum major from the Triad Highland Games, held annually in Greensboro.
(Photograph copyright 2009 by Dan Routh)
Photograph is a detail from a dancer at a local Native American pow wow here in Greensboro. The colors and textures at these events are extraordinary and the dancing and music is moving.
(photograph copyright 2009 by Dan Routh)
This past weekend was the anniversary of the Battle of Guilford Courthouse. On March 15, 1781 American forces under Nathaniel Greene met a British army under Lord Cornwallis and after fierce fighting forced the British to move their forces to Yorktown, Virginia and final defeat in the American Revolution. The battlefield is on the north side of Greensboro. Annually, reenactment groups from around the country come together to reenact the battle. This year, unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate and the event was rained out. This photograph is from a past year’s event.
(image copyright 2009 by Dan Routh)
I don’t usually post on weekends, but the weather today has me searching for things to do inside. It raining a cold nasty rain right now and the forecasters are calling for heavy snow tonight. Seems as if the weather is a metaphor for the local economy of Greensboro in general and my business in particular. It’s rough right now, but I am trying to hang on. I’m hoping for spring to come and warm things up, both meteorologically and economically. I’m posting an image from better times, a fashion photograph shot just south of Greensboro. Hopefully happier days are on the way.
(image copyright 2009 by Dan Routh)
I pass this very graphic wheel and tire store every morning on the way to my Greensboro studio.
I went out yesterday to the Old Mill of Guilford to stock up on grits and bran muffin mix. The mill is a local Greensboro landmark and is a fully operational, water-powered, 18th century grist mill founded on Beaver Creek in 1767 to grind grain for the early settlers of northern Guilford County. The mill continues to produce all-natural, stone-ground, whole grain flours and mixes. It’s an interesting place to visit and produces great stuff to eat. Annie Laura Perdue works the mill.
For info, go to: http://www.oldmillofguilford.com/
(images copyright 2009 by Dan Routh)
(image copyright 2009 by Dan Routh)
The New Years weekend is over and we are now actually starting 2009. I begin the year somewhere between trepidation and cautious optimism. Our local area is not exactly a hotbed of economic activity, but I think now our government and the American public in general realize the scope of the problem, and I hope to see some real activity to find solutions. In the meantime I will try to stay proactive and try to continue to develop myself and my craft, and to provide value for my clients. Like everyone else, I will keep a close eye on my operation, and I will be spending more time working closer to home. North Carolina has a lot to offer as does the Greensboro area, and I plan to put more effort into local documentation. Of course, I am always open to travel and work elsewhere if the need arises. So, for 2009 I’m going to hang on. It might be a wild ride, but I’m sure it will be interesting.
Image above is of the statue of the Greensboro namesake, General Nathaniel Greene at the Guilford Courthouse National Military Park.
Dan Routh Photography 