Snow is Mississippi is not regular, at least not in the Central part of the state. This past week, when we had over 5 inches in the Clinton/Jackson area, there where certain things that needed to be done. First, make sure that my daughter got to see her first real snow and spend time playing with her and the wife in the snow, and the second was to brave the icey streets and unaccustomed drivers and go document the day.
I had a few places in mind, the first of which was the Greenwood Cemetery in downtown Jackson. I was not surprised when I saw tracks in the snow denoting that another, possibly a photographer, had been there first, especially when I saw where they where. Luckily they, like me, tried to be considerate of the photogs that would come later and tried to leave as few tracks as possible. It was something, one of those once in a lifetime moments. The snow was falling rather hard at this point, and I took quite a bit of time just standing there, watching. I got some beautiful images from that cemetery, the photo below is just one of them…
Sacred in Snow
After spending around an hour and fifteen minutes out there, I had started to loose feeling in my fingers. Eventually, I will add some gloves with the tips cut off to my kit, but I took off without thinking about that particular item. I was born and raised in Mississippi, this snowfall was not normal! As I was preparing to leave, two more photographers showed up. I made comment about a few spots they might want to avoid, including a very muddy, slush filled spot hidden by new snow, and a couple they might have found interesting, and got a dirty look for my trouble. Sometimes it just down not pay to try and be helpful!
So, while I warmed up, I drove down to the State Capitol. Only a couple of ice patches on the way, and I parked a few blocks away, trying to be considerate to the lawmakers that may have been at work and the posted signs, Funny, it seems like I was the only one who thought like that. When I arrived, there where no less than ten photographers on the steps of the Capitol. They all seemed to be checking out the same areas in the front of the building, so after taking a few shots, I decided to try something a little different…
State Capitol Bench Under Snow
There where all manner of photographers out there. Pros with very expensive looking kit, kids with digital click-clicks, even a few cowgirls with iPhone (the Dixie National Rodeo was/is in town), but they all seemed focused on the front of the building.
I may never understand photographers. Most that I have met are decent enough people, usually eager to talk and share stories or advice, but today, the smell of a payday must have been in the air! When I spoke to the people who where obviously non-professional, I got a nice little greeting back, when I spoke the several that seemed to be more professional, I saw looks that would have chilled my blood, if it already wasn’t frozen. I did not press the issue, I understand not wanting to talk while shooting, I’m there, I get it, but I always take time to reply to a friendly hello. It was funny though, while I was taking an image of the artillary canons, I could here one young girl exclaiming to her friend, “Don’t worry, I got it on the snow setting!”
I decided to walk around the back and see how the building looked from that side. It was spectacular. I think that it was a better view than the front, and if only the sky had a little color and the dome eagle was turned around, they would have been excellent images. As it was, they where only so-so, IMO.
Rear of the Capitol in Snow
I have never had the opportunity to shoot downtown in the snow. It was an enjoyable experience, but I know I left a lot of places and images unexplored. The King Edward Hotel, the Farrish Street Project, all of these must have been great, but sometimes you just run out of…time….
Till next time, be safe everyone.
