It took a decade or more of creating images to draw me into photography as a passion and finally, a means of income.
First came the passion.
One enlightening experience occurred after Mardi Gras 1972. I was returning to my Army Post, Ft Polk, from my hometown of Baton Rouge, Louisiana when I spotted two twenty something woman hitchhiking along a very bad area of a state highway. My blue 1970 VW bug pulled up next to them just as a car filled with young men who appeared drunk made an aggressive u-turn. The two young woman piled into my car and I as we used to say, “ I put the pedal to the metal.” The car of drunken rednecks drove by, flashing beer bottles, sporting obscene jesters and yelling at me to stop. I continued on.
The women who appeared to be in their late teens or early 20s had spent a few party filled days exploring the Mardi Gras experience. They had hitched from Dallas and now were heading back. Unfortunately for them and lucky for me, they had taken a wrong turn and ended up in the boonies of south Louisiana, Opelousas to be exact. I suggested they drive with me to my home in Leesville to be exact. Spend the night and be off to Dallas once refreshed. In short I offered them a place to stay, food, and good company.
After getting to know them, I asked if I could create some portraits of them. My friend and I had rented an old house near our post. I recall we paid $65/month. We furnished it the best we could. It was three bedrooms, roomy, and a real dive.
However, I found that the unfinished attic had a window that offered magnificent light.. My hope and desire was a beautiful naturally lit portrait. So, I asked each separately to join me “in the attic.”
First came Mary. I pulled down the attic door, dragged a tall ladder over and I began to climb upward. Mary followed and I helped her into the attic space. It was dark but we were able to scrabble across the rafters and she settled into a relaxing, thoughtful position just next to the attic window. In a few minutes I felt I had a “hero” image. As years passed I recognized that for me this was my “this is cool art” moment. I have that picture framed and hanging in my office.
Next came Kate, as we straddled the rafters, I noticed her cutoff jeans were riding high above her waist. She was wearing a tank top with the shorts. I politely asked if she could “pull down her shorts.” My intent was for her to adjust the waistline to hung her hips. To my utter amazement she agreed and quickly stripped! I was flummoxed and frankly a little confused. Not expecting this, I moved forward with the session; then asked her to dress and we climbed down to reality. This was my first figurative photography session and in the years to come this opened the door to my interest in photographing and awareness of the human body as a subject to explore.
In that attic rafters moment I also learned a few important lessons that have underscored my approach to what would later become my career in photography. The first and most important lesson, don’t take sexual advantage of a situation while in the middle of a session. Then, be careful what you ask but aware that people will follow the lead of a trusted person. And, finally to follow the lead which may open an unexpected door to a great picture.
The girls stayed for another day and I drove them to a truck stop with 18 wheelers heading toward Dallas. It was a delightful, creative few days.
