Capitol Street in sepia: 2 of 2

I don't know the purpose of the running fire hydrant in the bottom photo. Besides me, that was the only other thing moving downtown when I took these photos. I have been shooting Farish Street and the State Capitol lately and will post some of them later on. 

I would have liked to have seen the Bon-Ton Cafe in its heyday. Bet it was a pretty place with plenty of character.  Sometimes I get tired of these restaurants nowadays that try to plaster their character on the walls and ceilings with old stuff, sports stuff, other stuff. Things on the wall don't give a place character, it's the people who work there, especially the owner. That's what's missing from most restaurants today. Gee, sepia pictures may make things look a little bit too gloomy. I got all melancholy all of a sudden!

Capitol Street in sepia: 1 of 2

I love how these photos appear in sepia tones. (That top photo is a keeper!) The nostalgicness of what that area used to be like is more easily visible in my head in these photos. I never visited this part of Jackson when it was a vibrant part of the city. But I can imagine what it used to be. I've already heard a couple of stories from people who remember the street in its heyday. Quite a place. One that is missed by all. When was the last time you went into a store and they knew your name? Have to think about it, I imagine.

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 Like I mentioned in a previous post, take a look at the fourth picture of the Cohen Bros. store. See the horizontal Cohen Bros. wording? A week after I shot this photo in January, about half that sign had disappeared. The Cohen part is now completely gone. I guess that is how it happens. Just a piece at a time disappears and before you know it, it's all gone. Then it's too late.

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And here is the sepia version of the tall building that is also available in black and white and color in posts below. Compare the three and let me know which one hits you the best.

Capitol Street in black and white: 3 of 3

This concludes the posts of black and white photos. You will notice that this last shot is identical to one I shot in color that was posted last week. Next week I will post a shot similar to this in sepia. Each is a powerful photo to me, so I did one of each. Let me know if you prefer one over the other.

The straight-on shot of the Bon-Ton Cafe is a good photo in black and white. It didn't do anything for me in color, just looked like an old building. But the black and white image makes the forlornness — if that is the right word — of the scene so much more real. It's a sad picture in black and white. Kind of tells what's happening to downtowns all across America.

Next week we will explore the street in sepia tones or as some would call it, "antique." To me, they are the best shots I have taken of this street and have had a hard time waiting this long to show them to you.

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Grab your own camera and go exploring this weekend! An added bonus by doing so is you can postpone that yardwork or housework for one more day! Those dusty baseboards or those yucky leaves will be there next week, but I can't say the same for that sunrise, sunset, flower, critter or whatnot that is waiting to be photographed! Enjoy God's Glory while you can!

Capitol Street in black and white: 2 of 3

I love the wide-angle view of the street in black and white. I put a softening filter around the edges. Click on it to enlarge so you can see it better, if you like. The bottom photo is sunlight from the King Edward windows reflecting on the side of the building next to it. Neat effect, I though. 

If this is your first time to this blog, scroll down to see other photos of Capitol Street in black and white, plus color! Thanks for visiting.

Capitol Street in black and white: 1 of 3

I have to be in the right frame of mind to shoot black and white photos. They are so much different from color photos. You look at the lines and the contours of the objects being photographed so much more in the big, wide angle shots. In b&w closeups, details are the key. Seeing the small things makes the photo.

These photos were taken on the end of Capitol Street that seems stuck in time. I will also be featuring black and white photos on Wednesday and Friday. Scroll down to see the start of this series, three days of Capitol Street in color. Stay with me this week and the next few as more of downtown Jackson comes to the Kittrell blog! Forward this to all who might enjoy it!

Capitol Street in color: Part 3 of 3

Oops. I may need to expand this series for I still have color photos of Capitol Street I would like to show you. We'll see. The top photo of the tall buildings is shot from Capitol Street. They are not actually on Capitol Street. The other photos include St. Andrew's, the old Standard Life Building, the Federal Courthouse and Mayflower Cafe. Wonderful, wonderful details everywhere.

Wait until next week when you see some of the sights in black-and-white. It shows the street in an entirely new perspective! And only one word describes some of the older street scenes in sepia — WOW!

Keep spreading the blog, folks! 

Capitol Street in color: 2 of 3

The old part of downtown Jackson on Capitol is like stepping back in time. From the neon signage of Peoples Cafe to the tilework outside of the Bon-Ton Cafe, this at one time was THE place to shop and dine in Jackson. The stained glass windows still intact at Bourgeios Jewelers are incredible in themselves. And where else are you going to find a billboard for a collateral bank? That's what they used to call pawn shops back in the old days.

Top photo: The Cohen Bros. store features two signs, one vertical and another horizontal. I took this photo two weekends ago. I went back this past weekend and most of the horizontal Cohen Bros. sign had already been knocked out. What a pity. I am glad I took my photos when I did.

Part 1 of this series is below. Scroll down, please, if you would like to see it.

Capitol Street in color: 1 of 3

Today I am starting a series of photos I am currently taking in downtown Jackson.

• For three days this week, I will feature photos of Capitol Street in color.

• The week of Feb. 23 will feature three days of photos of Capitol Street in black and white. 

• The week of March 2 will feature two days of Capitol Street in sepia. 

• The following weeks will show other scenes from downtown Jackson, including some shots at the Capitol and Farish Street.

I am excited about this photo essay. Downtown Jackson, just like Vicksburg, is a treasure trove of wonderful photos. I am having a blast searching for the different angles and scenes that can tell the story best. Please pass this blog on to your Jackson friends or those who once lived there. I think they will enjoy this walk with us. Every other day I will be featuring Vicksburg shots.

I figure in a typical year I usually shoot about 17,000 to 18,000 photos. I will add about 400 of them to my portfolio. Since I have started this blog, however, my portfolio is constantly expanding. My goal, however, is not to give you mundane shots that you can see anywhere — photos I call tourist shots — but photos that present this part of the world I am planted in through a new perspective. This blog is really keeping me on my toes and making me constantly analyze the environment around me. And I am loving it! It's improving my photography and helping me develop new friendships that I otherwise would not have. Three guys from Brandon are coming over this weekend for a photo tour of Vicksburg with me. It is always fun to see Vicksburg from other people's perspective and I always learn something new about the places I go. 

Folks, we live in a photographic dream world here in Vicksburg and the surrounding area. Get out and start seeing some of God's Glory. It's all around us. Want proof? Look for the jonquils! Grab a camera and let's go shooting!