new gallery – Giles Hoover

September 28, 2023September 29, 2023

New Gallery Bonus: Deepstep, Georgia. (Also, a New Georgia Gallery Setup.)

A while back, on the road from Milledgeville to Sandersville, I spied a sign:

That little town — more a hamlet, really — is called Deepstep, and I’ve marked it for a stop since. On the way home from Augusta (part 1, part 2), I finally had the opportunity.

Alonzo G. Veal & Son (What We Don’t Have, We Can Get), 9665 Deepstep Rd.

Veal & Son Building Detail #1, 9665 Deepstep Rd.

What a great little spot.

The gallery’s only eighteen photographs, but absolutely a worthy addition to the newly revised Middle Georgia group. Those galleries cover everything from Pine Mountain in the west to Sandersville in the east, Madison in the north to Dublin in the south.

Indeed, I’ve rearranged pretty much all of the Georgia galleries:

The new Georgia gallery group: five items instead of three, all featuring rearranged contents.

Atlanta gets its own (to be expanded soon, I hope); the cities of Augusta, Columbus and Savannah another; Macon, my home base, a third; the aforementioned Middle Georgia, a fourth; and finally North and South Georgia (Helen, St. Simon’s, etc.).

As always, thanks for taking the time to stop by.

September 28, 2023September 28, 2023

New Gallery: Augusta, Georgia (Part Two)

As mentioned yesterday, I’ve been meaning to get to downtown Augusta with a camera for years. Actually, that not correct: I’ve been meaning to get to downtown Augusta . . . period. I’d never been there, despite living 130 miles away for almost two decades, despite having been nearby, despite — well, you get the idea.

Statue at James Brown Plaza, Broad St. and Augusta Common

So it was a pleasure to get to the home of Woodrow Wilson, James Brown, Jessye Norman, and countless others — and see a city a lot like so many others in the American South, a city that’s struggling with identity, history, vacancy, gentrification, and so many other issues prevalent in the 2020s.

The Confederates and the Albion, Broad St.

One of them is the continued presence of a huge Confederate memorial, a shame in a majority-Black city — and just in front of the Lamar Building, soon to be luxury apartments. What message are Augusta, and its new luxury residents, sending?

Nonetheless, the day’s efforts resulted in some satisfying images, from architecture to neat details:

Augusta Cotton Exchange Building #1, 32 8th St.

Miller Theater (Entry Detail), 708 Broad St.

Edgar’s Above Broad (Logo) Sign, 699 Broad St.

Augusta is a riverfront city I’m looking forward to returning to. In the meantime, please enjoy a total of 128 photographs in the newly-posted gallery.

Augusta Riverwalk Marina (with Freedom Bridge)

September 27, 2023September 28, 2023

New Gallery: Augusta, Georgia (Part One)

Together with Columbus and Macon, Augusta is one of Georgia’s “Fall Line” cities, and is home to more than 200,000 people. Located on the eastern edge of the state on the Savannah River, it was founded by James Oglethorpe in 1736 on the site of a Native American river crossing.

Augusta has long been on the to-photograph list, but it’s just far enough away from Macon to make a quick, unplanned trip difficult — so this past weekend, when another trip was cancelled, I took advantage of the available time and made it happen.

Blue Against Blue Against Blue, 943 Ellis St.

Of course, rather than a quiet Sunday downtown, I ran headlong — no pun intended — into the Augusta Ironman marathon. There were crowded street corners, intersections closed aplenty, and a combination of competitors and supporters everywhere.

Boll Weevil Cafe and Sweetery, 10 James Brown Blvd.

Nonetheless, it was a beautiful early-fall day in Georgia, and over the course of several hours, I really enjoyed photography in downtown Augusta — as usual, without people in the shots.

Excepting, of course, The Godfather of Soul:

Spirit of Funk Mural, 190 James Brown Blvd.

The photostroll also included the Riverwalk, a stretch both at water level and atop the levee — doing my best to stay out of the runners’ way, moving around to the chants of “water!” and “ice!”

Fountain at Riverwalk Enterance (#1), James Brown Blvd.

The first 64 photographs — part one of two — have been posted to the new Augusta gallery. Stay tuned for the second part, along with a bonus gallery and some housekeeping news, tomorrow.

May 30, 2023May 31, 2023

New Gallery: Montezuma, Georgia

Macon County, Georgia, hosts Montezuma, a railroad crossroads on the Flint River. Officially dating to 1851, it was named after the Aztec leader by soldiers returning from the Mexican-American War.

Montezuma Sign (Crepe Myrtles), S. Dooly St.

I’ve been meaning to stop with a camera for a while, but it’s always been a pass-through on the way elsewhere — the route from Macon to Andersonville, Americus, and all points southwest go through Montezuma — but it’s taken until now to actually stop.

Bench Detail, Montezuma Methodist, N. Dooly St.

Like a substantial part of rural Georgia, Montezuma has fallen on increasingly hard times; the population continues to drop¹, the empty storefronts multiply, and many of the beautiful old Southern houses need some attention:

There’s an attractive downtown, though, with old brick buildings and a wonderful historic railroad depot:

Museum Sign, Old Railroad Depot, Dooly & E. Railroad Sts.

Bracket Detail #1, Old Railroad Depot, Dooly & E. Railroad Sts.

Did I mention that it’s a railroad crossing? There are two sets downtown:

Railroad Apparatus #4, Dooly & E. Railroad Sts.

Despite the population loss and storefronts marked “for rent,” however, all isn’t lost. There are some new businesses opening:

I’ve posted 55 photographs in the new Montezuma gallery — peruse and enjoy. And, as always, thanks for stopping by.

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See Wiki’s article.

March 27, 2023March 29, 2023

New Gallery: Senoia, Georgia

After leaving Zebulon (see below) last Thursday, I continued northeast into the beautiful spring morning. My destination was Senoia, a town of about 5,000 that has a lovely, old-time feel, and is usually busy due to its “touristy” nature. There’s a film studio (!), and major productions like Driving Miss Daisy and The Walking Dead have used it for a location. Plus, given its proximity to Atlanta, it’s a popular day trip for city dwellers looking for a getaway.

Gerald and I were there last April, and while I had a camera with me, I only took a few photographs and didn’t like any of them. But a church window had stuck in my head, we enjoyed the visit, and I determined to return.

This time: success. Starting with that church window:

Church of God of Prophesy (Window #1), Main and Johnson Sts.

Elsewhere in the historic district, fantastic Southern porches await:

While amongst the dogwood blossoms, there was even a porch for our feathered friends:

But it’s downtown that folks come to visit:

Shops and Eats on the Hill (#2), Main St.

Book Light (Reflecting Tour), 53 Main St.

Plenty of history here, too:

The Museum and the Water Tower (From Baggarly Way)

A total of 57 photographs — clearly, it was a good time — have been posted to the Senoia gallery. No matter the weather where you are, wander a picturesque small town on a beautiful spring day.

Thank you!

March 24, 2023March 24, 2023

New Gallery: Zebulon, Georgia

We’re having an absolutely beautiful March here in Georgia — apologies to places that absolutely aren’t — and I’ve been trying to take advantage by getting out and taking photographs.

The latest photostroll starts in the small town (pop. 1225) of Zebulon¹, in Pike County, northwest of Macon, with the typical courthouse square:

The building, from 1895 and on the National Register of Historic Places, is wonderfully detailed, sporting columns aplenty and lots of Colonial Revival details:

Pike County Courthouse (Column Detail #1)

Courthouse Square Composition, Barnesville and Thomaston

The small downtown is well-kept and bustling in a way that small downtowns should be:

Better still, spring is in full bloom:

Enjoy the 25 posted photographs from Zebulon — and stay tuned for the main destination of the trip: Senoia. Have a good weekend!

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Named for Zebulon Pike, the general and explorer (for whom Colorado’s Pike’s Peak is named, among other things)

March 8, 2023March 8, 2023

New Gallery: Eatonton, Georgia

Confession: For the last several years, I’ve been avoiding Eatonton. Its four-lane bypass is notorious as a revenue generator for Putnam County, so when heading north to Madison or Athens I have been taking the prettier Monticello route instead.

My mistake. In almost twenty years of living less than fifty miles from this gem — and perhaps because of that bypass — I’d not explored downtown. It’s definitely earned another visit.

Residence Above Maggie Lane (Mind Your Step)

I also wasn’t aware that Alice Walker (The Color Purple) and Joel Harris (Uncle Remus) were locals — the latter explaining the prevalence of rabbits hopping about:

Interesting art, too:

Selz (The “Sole” of Honor), 107 N. Madison

Please enjoy the 30 photographs posted — and stay tuned: I’ll try to travel the Historic Piedmont Scenic Byway again soon.

March 7, 2023March 7, 2023

New Gallery: Sparta, Georgia

I’ve been meaning to take a camera to Sparta for a minute now; its downtown is small yet old and photogenic in a distinctly Southern way.

On that subject: let’s get the elephant in the room out front and center. Sparta is 85% Black, arguably economically and socially suffering, and yet this monument stands front and center. Why?

However, there are signs of hope. More than one building downtown is being refurbished, and there are at least a couple of businesses that are surviving — perhaps even thriving — by providing a sense of community:

By the way, those old buildings often have beautiful cast iron details:

I was glad to have made the trip, and hope that you’ll be glad to take a moment and look and Sparta’s downtown in the new gallery.

Up tomorrow: Eatonton. Thanks for stopping by.

November 15, 2022November 15, 2022

New Gallery: Talbotton

The county seat of Talbot (Wiki) was the primary destination of our recent photostroll, another of those places that are often passed through without stopping. A small, poor town — and county — its rich history absolutely deserves a home here amongst the galleries of Georgia.

Founded in 1828, Talbotton was a center of education for the area; its architectural splendor reflects a wealth no longer present. Even the later courthouse (1892) is a beautiful structure:

Talbot County Probate Court, 26 Washington Ave.

There was one structure in particular that I wanted to visit: the Zion Episcopal Church, an 1848 wooden item, painted dark brown with white shutters:

Historic Zion Episcopal Church, Circa 1848

Unfortunately, Georgia’s early- and mid-century legacy survives intact. From the Zion Church’s Historical Marker:

The choir loft at the east end of the structure opposite the sanctuary, above the narthex, is flanked on each side by a gallery, where slaves worshipped prior to the conflict which many believed temporarily destroyed Southern culture.
Georgia Historical Commission, 1955

The church is still beautiful, it’s still beautifully preserved and maintained, and I’m glad that we can, in 2022, look at it in the historical context it deserves.¹

Zion Episcopal Church (Window Detail #2)

See the church and all of Talbotton — 34 photographs in all — in the new gallery here.

Thanks to Gerald for a pleasant Sunday of fine photography.

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Read more about Zion Episcopal and its place in Talbotton here.

July 18, 2022July 19, 2022

Gallery Update: Madison (Part 3)

As promised, I returned to Madison, Georgia, to complete the gallery my camera battery didn’t permit last time. Special thanks to Gerald, who accompanied me around the beautiful downtown historic district and on the lovely drive from here to there.

This round is mostly details, taken with my stunning new Leica APO lens. (Introduced in this Macon post.) The whole line has been discontinued, so I am incredibly glad to have gotten one while they’re still available — every single photograph shows just how good this lens is. I’ll try to do it justice:

Building and Light Detail #2, W. Washington St.

I’ve revamped the gallery with the new shots mixed in with the old. Several are improved versions of shots taken last time, meaning those were deleted in favor of the new ones.

132 Madison photographs have been posted in all. Peruse and enjoy; remember to click on any individual photograph to start a slide show, and if you’d like, click “buy” to get options for fine art prints in a variety of sizes and finishes. Thank you!

See also: Madison Part One and Part Two.

June 22, 2022July 18, 2022

New Gallery: Madison (Part 2)

Continued from Part 1, below.

According to Southern Living magazine, “In Madison, Georgia, you can witness the power of tireless historic preservation efforts and take in the glory of old Southern architecture — from Greek Revival to Victorian, this town showcases all the great architectural styles.” (Read their day trip advice.)

DAR Statue and Morgan County Courthouse, Downtown

It’s certainly worth taking some time to visit — and for this guy and his camera, the restaurants, shops, stroll-worthy streets, and simply spectacular historic district represent a great opportunity to add to the treasure trove of Georgia architectural photography.

Building Detail #2, Madison Welcome Center, E. Jefferson St.

Building Detail #1, The James Madison Inn

A total of 90 (!) photographs have been posted to the new Madison gallery. Once there, click on any photo to enlarge or start a slide show.

I’m not done, either: I had two lenses with me, but only one battery — which gave out before I could make a round downtown with the second lens. I’ve got another trip through the area scheduled, and will absolutely make the time to return, camera in-hand, to complete the gallery. Stay tuned.

June 20, 2022June 20, 2022

New Gallery: Madison, Georgia (Part 1)

The past couple of days represented a much-needed break from the recent heat wave — an opportunity to get out of the house and celebrate a stunning morning with camera in-hand.

I pass through Madison regularly (it’s along the route from Macon to Athens), and have been meaning to stop and take some photographs for literally years. Today, the first of two parts this week, with more to come soon.

We start at the Madison Morgan Cultural Center and loop through the historic district — and its many, frankly stunning buildings — south of downtown:

Madison Morgan Cultural Center (Detail #4)

413 S. Main Street, Photographed from Old Post Road

There are a few detail shots mixed in, too, like this one from the Presbyterian Church:

Madison Presbyterian Church (Door Detail)

See the first 34 photographs in the new gallery. (Remember to double-click on a photograph to see larger.) Next time, downtown. Happy Monday!

March 8, 2022March 8, 2022

New and Updated Galleries: Woodland, Thomaston, and Yatesville

The end of winter here in Georgia means beautifully warm days, flowers and trees budding, and photography. Gerald and I took a road trip this weekend, enjoying almost 200 miles of driving — and four photostrolls.

We’ll cover three today, heading west from Middle Georgia:

See everything from Yatesville, pop. 408, here.

Next is an update from Thomaston, whose downtown square is typical of Georgia:

Upson County Courthouse (B&W Study #2), 2022

That gallery is available here.

Lastly today is a new stop: Woodland, in west-central Georgia, near Pine Mountain and Warm Springs, northeast of Columbus.

Woodland, whose population also happens to be 408, has a gallery here.

Many thanks to Gerald for the company and good day. Next up: FDR State Park, likely tomorrow.

February 23, 2022February 23, 2022

New Gallery: Jackson, Georgia

This past weekend’s road trip included five stops, including Monticello and Barnesville, which I covered in the last post. However, there were three more stops in the middle.

Jackson Dam, which forms the headwaters of the Ocmulgee River — and which has a fishing area with this neat scene:

Jackson Lake, formed by the Yellow, Alcovy, and South Rivers:

And Jackson proper, which has a traditional (for Georgia, at least) town square with a courthouse:

Also, this — with perhaps too cute a title:

Downtown Door During Reconstruction, Jackson

All of these have been added to a new gallery. Check it out.

October 7, 2021January 29, 2022

New Gallery: Vassar College

Many, many moons ago, my late sister attended Vassar College. I had an occasion to stay in Poughkeepsie, NY, where Vassar is located, and went over on a beautiful morning and spent some time wandering around with the Leica.

It’s a beautiful campus; a mix of modern, mid-century, and classic architecture — with a little mid-century thrown in:

For many years, Vassar was a women’s (-only) college, and it was nice to find the National Landmark observatory building — a reminder that even in the 1800’s, women were doing scientific research:

The New England building:

An enjoyable visit, a beautiful, incredibly well-tended campus, and a tranquil late summer morning at a renowned college. I was delighted to visit, and pleased with the resulting photographs. See the rest here.