Revisiting where i grew up

YOU CAN'T GO HOME AGAIN. Of course you can. Simply plug in the address and find the GPS coordinates of the exact spot you called home. What you find now will not be what it once was, but the physical location does exist. I know returning home is not about the place but more about reconnecting with the past; the good and bad memories of events, family vacations, and everyday activities that molded you into who you are today. THAT, is not found with GPS. 

I'm photographing the scenery within the boundaries of East End Houston. Buildings, landscapes, and the industries that surrounded me for nineteen years are at the heart of my exploration. Additionally, I am confronting the reality of life, how it marches on and things change, others fade away, and new things take their place. Tracing routine routes from my childhood, I sought out familiar homes, stores, my schools, restaurants, offices, and industries that were part of my everyday life. There was a sadness that prevailed as I found decaying and neglected residential areas, abandoned structures, all offset by shiny new buildings and industries. East End has evolved from Houston's industrial complex, the location of the very industries that built this city,  to a desirable bedroom community replete with all the amenities and attractions that go with it.

What I found the most amazing about this project is that the home my parents moved into when they came to Houston in the early 1940's, and the 750 sq. ft. home they moved into in the 1950's, where I was born -- they are still standing! It looks like my childhood home has changed hands a few times but today, looks to be lovingly restored.

UPDATE 12/23/2022 - I tire of projects rather quickly. Revisiting my childhood stomping grounds was a meaningful experience but it only lasted about a year, from mid 2018 into 2019, and then, add the whole Covid era. But today, I sense a summons once again to see how much more of my old neighborhood has vanished, or changed into something new. Today, my reason for doing this project is more clear to me. I feel the need to provide some personal reaction and explanation to some of the photos, but not for all the images shown here. I am a technically driven photographer whose main goal is to create interesting compositions and skillfully utilize the digital processes to produce a quality image. I love old buildings and landscapes and these images should stand on their own merits as interesting subjects, without sentimental captions attached. The GPS coordinate info seems even more appropriate now, it further solidifies that each documented site can go down in history and the photo can portray what exists today, and live on forever.

UPDATE 10/02/2023 I have yet to return to East End. I am beginning to convert many of the East End images back to color and will be modifying the layout to incorporate them among the black & white work.