ORANGEBURG, S.C. (APTN) — Much of how South Carolina has seen its civil rights history has been through the lens of photographer Cecil Williams. From sit-ins to prayer protests to portraits of African Americans integrating universities and rising to federal judges, Williams has snapped it.

After years of work, his chief dream of a civil rights museum marking how Black Americans fought segregation and discrimination in the state is about to move out of his old house and into a much bigger, and more prominent, building in Orangeburg.

“Photography is so important to telling stories about history. And we in South Carolina formally have not been known for involvement in the American Civil Rights Movement and the progress that took place bringing down the barriers to segregation,” said Williams, who turned 85 last month.

“But in South Carolina, we have so many untold stories that are yet to be known. And one of the ways to save these stories, these stories of sacrifice, these stories of overcoming, is to have a museum like we are developing here in Orangeburg.”

Williams got his first camera when he was 9. A few years later he took one picture of civil rights attorney and later Supreme Court justice Thurgood Marshall getting off a train to work on a segregation case — just one frame because it was dark and flashbulbs were $1 each.

The photo got a lot of attention. Soon, Jet magazine had Williams taking pictures. He kept going for decades, capturing images of the Charleston hospital workers strike, U.S. Sen. Strom Thurmond’s last campaign and the Confederate flag being removed from atop the Statehouse dome.

He recalled how South Carolina newspapers would not hire a Black photographer, so he took his work to The Associated Press instead.

“And I was not welcomed as an African-American youth and as a photographer in the state newspaper,” said Williams. “But I could go upstairs where the Associated Press used many of my photographs during the 1960s.”

In 2019, Williams converted his old house and darkroom in a residential neighborhood in Orangeburg into the Cecil Williams South Carolina Civil Rights Museum. It’s the only civil rights museum in the state.

In the next year or so, Williams hopes to move his museum into a building three times larger in downtown Orangeburg with full-time staff.

It’s part of a $23 million federal grant to revitalize Railroad Corner in Orangeburg as a gateway to the city that is nearly three-quarters African American with two neighboring historically Black universities. And it’s the culmination of years of trying to get support from anyone who will listen.

When it comes to landscape photography, few other genres offer both the rewards and disappointments it can bring. However, we should avoid the easy route of annoyance and instead get excited about our landscape photography, and here’s why! I understand the struggle – the elusive perfect composition, the uncooperative weather. It’s easy to become frustrated, annoyed, and perhaps even consider giving up. But before you dismiss the excitement, I have something to share that might just change your perspective!

Landscape Photography Is Built Different 

Landscape photography often serves as the gateway for many into the world of photography. Typically, one’s initial foray into this art form begins either with receiving a camera as a gift or purchasing one due to a love for the outdoors, right?

It’s a fair assumption that only a handful of people get their first camera with the intention of shooting portraits, weddings, or wildlife. Most of us start by capturing the beauty of the outdoors. Nowadays, many of us begin and often continue to use a smartphone for photography. The capabilities of these devices are immense, and they’re almost always at hand.

However, issues can arise when we set out on dedicated photography excursions. Maybe we anticipate a particular composition that ends up being non-existent, or our high hopes for the perfect weather and lighting are dashed.

Back to the Basics

Do you remember your first landscape photography trip? Was it a solo venture, or did you go with others? Or perhaps you just happened to have your camera with you when an opportunity presented itself. Regardless of the situation, try to recall the feelings you experienced before, during, and after. For me, it was a mix of excitement, nervousness, and wonder about what lay ahead. These emotions laid the foundation for my passion for landscape photography and likely did the same for many others, spurring us on to the next adventure, and then the next, and the one after that!

Mindset Management 

It all boils down to mindset, and thankfully, that’s something within our control.

Would you prefer to feel let down or disappointed by a photography outing, or would you rather embrace the feeling of having given it your best shot? I often talk with photographers, both amateurs and professionals, who feel frustrated when their outings don’t go as planned. However, the reality is that if they hadn’t been out there, they would have missed the chance to capture that potentially stunning shot.

The light in a scene can change rapidly, enhancing its beauty dramatically. But even if the ideal light doesn’t materialize, isn’t the scene still worth appreciating? Moreover, even in rain, there’s joy to be found in being outdoors and experiencing the elements. And despite the weather, you might still capture a great photo, one rich in mood, drama, atmosphere, and emotion. These feelings might be personal, but when you look back at any photograph you’ve taken, I bet you remember the location, the time, whether it was cold or warm, calm or windy, and most importantly, what you felt in that moment.

This is why it’s so rewarding to feel excited about your landscape photography. You’re outside, breathing fresh air, getting exercise, perhaps enduring blisters, fatigue, and dampness, but you’re there with a chance of success. The alternative is staying home, gazing out the window, and wondering how it might have been if you’d ventured out.

Landscape Photography Is a Feeling 

If landscape photography continually frustrates you, that frustration might eventually become your default reaction. Even when you encounter beautiful light or conditions, it might be hard to muster excitement. Instead, you may find yourself yearning for perfect conditions, and anything less could be seen as a letdown. But is this really what you imagined landscape photography would be about?

On the other hand, if you head out filled with anticipation for what might unfold, and you do encounter light — even if it’s just mediocre — your excitement can intensify. The thrill of the chase could propel you forward, leaving you bursting with enthusiasm right up until the final shutter click. However, there is a risk associated with high expectations, as they can lead to disappointment. Some believe it’s better to keep your hopes modest, viewing any positive outcome as a bonus.

When you look back at your images, which emotions would you prefer to remember? For me, the choice is clear, and at the end of the day, those feelings are within my control.

Happy or Sad, You Decide 

Observing other landscape photographers, I’ve noticed some common characteristics. Some are self-professed pessimists, or “realists,” as they sometimes prefer to be known. These photographers often end up feeling disappointed unless they encounter perfect conditions. On the other hand, there are the optimists, for whom every shoot is either “epic” or the best they’ve ever had. Their excitement can be so intense that it might seem almost exaggerated to others.

Each of these outlooks seems right for the individuals who hold them, and you might find yourself relating to either, depending on the situation. However, the risk with the pessimistic view is that when those rare, epic conditions do occur, you might struggle to feel the excitement that originally drew you to landscape photography.

What About Groups?

I’ve noticed many workshop leaders who maintain enthusiasm regardless of the conditions they face. Is this excitement genuine, or are they amplifying it for the benefit of their participants? I believe it’s a bit of both. If a leader shows frustration, it can negatively affect the entire group. Who would want to lead or participate in a workshop filled with annoyed people? I’d wager very few.

Conclusion  

To sum up this discussion, I urge you to revel in your landscape photography journey. Embrace the excitement of venturing outdoors, and if everything aligns perfectly, that’s wonderful. But if it doesn’t, that’s alright too. There will be other opportunities. The key is to associate positive feelings with your efforts and shots, motivating you to keep braving the elements and pursuing that perfect shot on another day.

Does this article strike a chord with you? Do you have additional insights from your own experiences, or have you ever felt discouraged to the point of not venturing out for dedicated shoots?

Let’s keep this conversation going in the comments below.

Help us make it a very HAPPY new year for our local nonprofits! The 4th annual Nonprofit Holiday Wish Catalog features the year-end needs of 30+ local nonprofits in one easy to browse – and easy to donate – online portal.

Thanks to the generosity of our community, 13 of the nonprofit wishes have already been fully funded! With over 20 remaining, from arts organizations to human services, education to healthcare… there are still so many opportunities to find and support organizations and wishes that move you, until the Catalog closes December 31.

New this year is an emphasis on mostly small and underfunded organizations, so community members can get to know (and support) Arlington organizations they may have never even heard of. The Giving Season is financially critical for so many nonprofits, and the Wish Catalog is just one way that we, as a community, can help ease a little bit of that stress for the nonprofits in the Wish Catalog.

Click here. Grant wishes!

Unlike mountain lions or bears, coyotes are animals that divide the internet. Many organizations and wildlife enthusiasts support the animal, while others see them as less likable and almost like a pest. Regardless of where you stand, these images of a coyote may change your mind.

Wildlife photographer Paddy Hackett recently captured this video of a coyote approaching his truck:

Hackett believes the animal was “food conditioned.” This issue happens when people feed a wild animal and they become overly comfortable around humans. Hackett may be right in his assumption, as the coyote immediately approaches his vehicle. 

Hackett then captures amazing video and images of the coyote waiting outside the vehicle.

In his post, Hackett discusses at length the opposition coyotes face. Earlier regulations intended to wipe out coyotes much like people did to wolves, but the species remains persistent. 

“I wish there was a way for people to see them in a better light, as just a wild dog trying to survive,” says Hackett in his post.”

Despite attempts to eradicate the species, coyotes are now found in every state in the U.S. except for Hawaii. The animal has also made itself at home in urban areas like Los Angeles, Phoenix, and even New York City. 

Project Coyote, an organization that fights for wildlife like coyotes and other predators, says, “As coyotes expand their range into areas where wolves once lived, and urban sprawl encroaches into wildlife habitat, human-coyote encounters are increasing. When people intentionally or unintentionally feed wild animals or encourage a lack of fear of humans, conflicts can occur.”

The organization and wildlife officials stand against food conditioning, believing people should never feed wild animals. Unfortunately, in many cases, wildlife officials euthanize animals that become overly comfortable. 

One of the best ways to do this is by hazing an animal that is too close. Project Coyote recommends these steps:

• Stand your ground. Make eye contact. Advance toward the coyote with your hazing tools if there is hesitation on the part of the coyote. Haze until the coyote retreats. Allow room for the coyote(s) to escape. 
• Make sure the coyote is focused on you as the source of danger or discomfort. Do not haze from buildings or your car where the coyote can’t see you clearly. 
• If you see more than one coyote, continue your hazing efforts; multiple animals will most likely respond to the same hazing techniques at the same time. 
• Make it multisensory. Use tools that scare with sound, light & motion. Variety is essential. Coyotes can learn to recognize and avoid individual people, so the more often a coyote has a negative experience with various hazing tools and different people, the faster he will change his behavior to avoid human contact. 
• Hazing should be exaggerated, assertive, and consistent. Communities should always maintain some level of hazing using a variety of tools so that coyotes do not return to unacceptable behavior over time. 
• Coyotes have routine habits. Make note on when and where you encounter them. Ask neighbors in those areas to help you scare the coyote, or avoid those areas. 
• Think prevention first! Coyote pups begin coming out of dens in the early summer and parents are very protective. Keep pets close and don’t let them roam.

SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA) – One of the beloved photographer’s last exhibitions was held at the city’s mayor’s office and is open to the public.

On Dec. 24, the Shreveport Regional Arts Council (SRAC) announced the death of Shreveport photographer and writer Neil Johnson. Johnson was a photographer who outstandingly captured life and showed the vibrancy of his subject’s souls in his work.

“His images will forever be a testament to his passion for photography and the profound impact it has on those fortunate enough to view the world through his lens,” says SRAC in the statement on Johnson’s death.

Later, on Dec. 26, the City of Shreveport and Mayor Tom Arceneaux expressed their sympathy to Johnson’s family, calling the artist a treasure.

“Neil Johnson was a Shreveport treasure, and the Mayor’s Office is honored and proud to have one of the last exhibitions of his work in the Mayor’s suite on the second floor of Government Plaza,” said the City of Shreveport’s Facebook page. ” The exhibition highlights photographs of camellias, a favorite subject of Johnson’s. The exhibition is open to the public.”

Johnson was born and raised in northwest Louisiana. He traveled the world from Ireland to Bangladesh. He later obtained a degree in journalism from Washington & Lee University and while interning at a Shreveport Local paper in 1975 he became interested in a custom photography lab. He began his work there after graduating in 1976. In 1981, he left the lab and became a full-time freelance photographer.

“I stuck with it and found that my degree in journalism, my love of writing and fast-evolving skills in photography could be combined quite nicely in magazine journalism, and later, into the world of book publishing. In my magazine career, I found myself moving from stories about thoroughbred horses to urban blight and to many aspects of the arts,” said Johnson in his artist bio. “I also found a personal artistic freedom in that work and a way to satisfy my innate curiosity about the many facets of the world in general. My camera and writing opened many doors.”

Between his magazine jobs, Johnson pursued commercial photography and began to teach photography at Centenary College. His teaching career would go on for 23 years. Later, Johnson would land a contract for 16 non-fiction (and a few fiction) photo-illustrated books with top New York and East Coast publishers. He even was published by National Geographic.

“My two favorite book projects (so far) are the coffee-table photography books, Shreveport and Bossier City (1995) and Louisiana Journey (1997) both with LSU Press,” Johnson said.

To see more of Neil Johnson’s work, visit https://culturalyst.com/silverpixel.

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