Playing Catchup: October Shots

(My Instagram feed @justnlstewart)
Following images ©Justin L. Stewart. Do not use without proper licensing. 

Here's a collection of selects from the month of October. Crazy how much can be shot in a month. Sorry I don't have more energy to whittle down the selection a little more, but some of the images are also photos that would never get to see the light of day if I didn't throw them up now, so that's how I'll excuse myself.

One of the things I focused on during this month was how to better harness available light. It was also the month that my shoots started pulling me more into the racial issues on the University of Missouri's campus.

I think the most important thing that clicked for me this month was just taking photographs for myself. It's so easy for me to be on assignment and to suffer from a tunnel vision of sorts, ignoring anything else that interests me as I focus on the task at hand. "That's not what I'm here for so it's obviously of no use." It's important to take those photos for yourself, to keep bending to your creative intuition, even if it's not a part of your shoot list.

So, here's some photos from October. Next up, November.

A Virginia creeper hangs from trees Thursday near Cooper's Landing as the Missouri River flows in the background. According to the Missouri Department of Conservation, the vine is a member of the grape family, and the fruit it bears in the fall is eaten by birds and deer. 

Students sit on the floor of Jesse Hall during a Black Lives Matter study-in Tuesday. The Black Lives Matter study hall was held after a racial slur was said by a student who interrupted a Legion of Black Collegians Royalty Court rehearsal early Monday morning.

People dance at the Eskapade official homecoming after party, hosted by the University of Missouri's Kappa Alpha Psi and Sigma Gamma Rho Friday night during Black Homecoming, Oct. 9, 2015 in Columbia, Mo. at the VFW Post 280. The alternative homecoming was created in response to a social divide at the university, which included a football tradition of the marching band playing "Dixie" with the crowd singing along as a confederate flag was waved. The first Black Homecoming was held in 1988.

Shane Riley, a conductor and engineer for COLT railroad, controls a locomotive. Riley's wife works in an office and doesn't have to deal with getting hot or cold or not having a bathroom handy, he said. "I'd rather do this and get a little dirty," Riley said.

A COLT railroad locomotive powers its way toward Centralia on Oct. 15. Shane Riley, an engineer and conductor, said the locomotive was probably built in the late '60s. "This old locomotive's been around a long time," Riley said.

Bulldogs fan Michael Davenport draws a picture with markers using his mouth before the Mizzou vs. Georgia game in downtown Athens, Ga. Davenport lost both his arms in an electrical accident at age 13.

From left, Stafford Varnedoe, 3, and her sister, Mary Mobley Varnedoe, 8, draw a cheer sign on the University of Georgia campus in Athens, GA, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2015. Georgia played the University of Missouri for Georgia's homecoming game, which Georgia won 9-6.

Josh Herrera lets Lance Christian Parker, 6, try on his helmet as the child's father, Roy Parker, takes a photo on Saturday in Athens, Georgia. Herrera walks around campus to tailgates taking photos with anyone who asks.

Fans wait for the Dawg Walk before the start of the game in Athen, GA, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2015. MU played the University of Georgia.

Missouri center Evan Boehm walks to the field before kickoff against the Georgia Bulldogs on Saturday at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia.                             

Missouri safety Ian Simon intercepts the ball on the first play against the Georgia Bulldogs on Saturday at Stanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia. 

Sony Michel is tackled by Ian Simon. MU played the University of Georgia in Athen, GA, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2015.

Missouri linebacker Kentrell Brothers, left, and Michael Sherer, right, tackle Georgia tailback Sony Michel on Saturday in Athens, Georgia.                             

Skyler Roundtree, bottom, and Jasmine Wells, right, write "Declaration of Independence" on sticky notes Tuesday on the bench next to the Thomas Jefferson statue on Francis Quadrangle. The counterprotest was held after a protest two weeks ago brought attention to a petition on Change.org asking for the removal of the statue because it "perpetuates a sexist-racist atmosphere." 

Jessica Corkill looks out of her aunt Dawna Mavel's garage door during a garage sale at Mavel's house in Ashland on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2015. Corkill, her mother, Melba Wells, and her aunt, Debi Johnson, talked in the garage as customers wandered in and out. Corkill was selling items that didn't sell in a previous garage sale, making room in her house for her first baby, Harper, a girl, who is due November 19th. 

A Vanderbilt star in the Vandyville tailgating area is covered by leaves Saturday. The Missouri Tigers plays Vanderbilt in Nashville, Tennessee, for the Commodores' Homecoming.

Marc Menke of Huntsville, Alabama, cooks up bacon sliders, bratwurst, pork loins and meatballs at a Vanderbilt Homecoming tailgate Saturday. Menke, a Vanderbilt fan, said he's only missed five home games in 17 years.

Solo cups and a football rest on a beer pong table in the Vandyville tailgate area in Nashville, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2015, during Vanderbilt's homecoming pre-game festivities. 

Missouri fans and cheerleaders wait for the start of the MU vs Vanderbilt game in Nashville, TN Saturday, Oct. 24, 2015. MU played Vanderbilt during their homecoming.

Cam Hilton returns a punt during the second quarter of Missouri's game against Vanderbilt Saturday, Oct. 24, 2015 in Nashville, TN.

Quarterback Kyle Shurmur is tackled by Thomas Wilson during the second quarter of Missouri's game against Vanderbilt Saturday, Oct. 24, 2015 in Nashville, TN.

Linebacker Michael Scherer stares at the ground during a timeout in the second quarter of Missouri's game against Vanderbilt Saturday, Oct. 24, 2015 in Nashville, TN.

Defensive back Logan Cheadle drops an interception during the second quarter of Missouri's game against Vanderbilt Saturday, Oct. 24, 2015 in Nashville, TN. 

Defensive lineman Charles Harris celebrates a sack and forced fumble late in the second quarter of Missouri's game against Vanderbilt Saturday, Oct. 24, 2015 in Nashville, TN.

Missouri Chancellor R. Bowen Lofting walks towards MU's locker room after they lost 10-3 against Vanderbilt Saturday, Oct. 24, 2015 in Nashville, TN.

Darrius Sims celebrates a 10-3 win over Missouri during homecoming Saturday, Oct. 24, 2015 in Nashville, TN.

Two teenagers from Sturgeon, Missouri, were transported to hospitals on Tuesday morning after the driver lost control of his white Mustang and overturned on Highway 124 near Harrisburg, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report. The driver, Carl Shaver, 16, and his passenger, Brandy Wadtananussorn, a 15-year-old girl, were on their way to Harrisburg High School when the vehicle, traveling west, went off the shoulder of the road and rolled, said Chief Gale Blomenkamp, public information officer for the Boone County Fire Protection District.

Michelle Butler sinks a put during a putting game at practice at the Old Hawthorne golf course in Columbia, Mo. Thursday, Oct. 29, 2015. 

Michelle Butler laughs while practicing putting with teammates on the putting green at the Old Hawthorne golf course in Columbia, Mo. Thursday, Oct. 29, 2015.

Firefighters water down the smoldering remains of a trailer at 4130 Lenoir street outside of Columbia, Mo. Thursday, Oct. 29, 2015. 

A teddy bear sits next to a garbage can near abandoned trailers as firefighters water down the smoldering remains of a trailer at 4130 Lenoir street outside of Columbia, Mo. Thursday, Oct. 29, 2015. 

Playing Catchup: September Shots

(My Instagram feed @justnlstewart)
Following images ©Justin L. Stewart. Do not use without proper licensing. 


This has been a long semester.

I came into staff with a lot of goals and I met most of them, I think. I wanted to strengthen the story part of my portfolio and refine my singles, which had grown a little stale. I put in as much time as I could, which is what I'd like to blame my lack of blog posts on. It can be pretty time consuming trying to put one of these together. This post took 4+ hours to pull together.  

Here's a selection of images from September. There are a couple short stories mixed in the lot here, as well as some of those lovely outtakes that never got to see the light of day. 

I didn't realize all the work I put in during that first month until pulling all these images together. That being said, I find myself a little tongue-tied at the moment – and tired. I'm looking forward to recharging my battery over winter break, however much of a break I'm able to get.

I'll keep playing catch up over the next few weeks with posts,  going month by month, until I've made it to the year's review. Until then, enjoy a little eye candy from September.

Cars are parked by a man on horseback at the Cattlemen's Days Rodeo.

Sage Kimzey, the defending Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association bull riding champion, unpacks a new saddle Friday, Aug. 28, 2015 at the 2015 Cattlemen Days Rodeo in Ashland, Mo. Kimzey was scheduled to compete in bull riding and bronc riding, even though he'd only ridden one bronc in the past four years. "Bull riding just got kind of boring," he said.

From left, Pistol Robinson, Tanner Bothwell and Brennon Eldred wait for the 39th annual Cattlemen Days Rodeo in Ashland to start Friday, August 28, 2015.

Sage Kimzey moves his saddle out of the rain during the 2015 Cattlemen Days Rodeo Friday, Aug. 28, 2015 in Ashland, Mo. Kimzey, who earns over $100,000 every year in rodeo winnings, said that the toughest part of the job was being healthy enough to compete consistently. He said that unlike other athletes who are ensured payment through their contracts, if rodeo riders don't compete, they don't get paid. He still loves it, though. "It's all I ever wanted to do."

Sage Kimzey, center-left, bows his head in prayer with fellow competitors before the beginning of the 2015 Cattlemen Days Rodeo Friday, Aug. 28, 2015 in Ashland, Mo.

Sage Kimzey carries his saddle and gear to the arena in preparation for his rides Friday night at the 2015 Cattlemen Days Rodeo in Ashland. Kimzey competed in both the bronc and bull riding events.

Brennon Eldred jokingly massages Sage Kimzey's shoulders before their bull rides at the 2015 Cattlemen Days Rodeo Friday, Aug. 28, 2015 in Ashland, Mo. Eldred is the 2nd ranked bull rider in the nation, behind Kimzey. The two friends and travel partners have been competing against each other since they were kids back in Oklahoma. "Feels like we've been one and two our whole lives," Kimzey said.

Whiplash the cowboy monkey, a 3-time Pro Rodeo Entertainer of the Year, sits atop his dog, Boogie, at the Ashland Cattlemen Days Rodeo in Ashland, Mo. August 28, 2015. Whiplash, a 20-year-old Capuchin monkey who's been riding since he was two, rounded up sheep to the crowd's pleasure.

Sage Kimzey, the top bull rider in the nation, competed Friday at the 2015 Cattlemen Days Rodeo in Ashland. Kimzey, who had the final ride of the evening, stayed on the bull the full eight seconds, earning the best score of the evening with a 91.2 for his ride. His travel partner Pistol Robinson came in with a 91.

Asaad Brown watches television from a chair in his living room on Monday in Columbia. Brown spends most of his time watching ESPN or reality TV alone in his living room now due to the limitations his wheelchair presents him with.

Lewis Tucker, left, carries a box of cereal as Asaad Brown, his nephew, pulls himself along with his good foot Friday in the cereal aisle at Walmart in Columbia. Brown's aunt and uncle help him run errands around town because he's not healthy enough to drive yet.

Kelsey Hutton checks pumpkins while filling the shelves and displays Tuesday in front of Wilson's Garden Center and Gift Shop in Columbia.

Eva Dall, 2, left, inspects the smallest pumpkin she could find Tuesday at Wilson's Garden Center and Gift Shop in Columbia as her mother, Marcia Dall, asks if that's the pumpkin she'd like to buy.

Columbia Independent School student Josh Cohen, 16, plants a flag into the school's east lawn Thursday morning in honor of 9/11 on Friday. Some of the flag sticks broke as the students pushed them into the ground, but the broken end made them easier to push in.

Missouri cross country head coach Marc Burns listens as members of the Missouri track and field team share a funny story about a former teammate after morning practice Thursday at Walton Stadium.                              

Running back Russell Hansbrough grabs at his leg after being injured at the end of a run against Southeast Missouri in the first quarter of their game Saturday at Faurot Field.

The golden girls wait on the sideline of Faurot Field during the third quarter of Saturday's game. The Missouri Tigers beat the Redhawks 34-3.                              

Southeast Missouri running back DeMichael Jackson is tackled by Missouri Tiger's players, from left, Michael Scherer, Charles Harris and Aarion Penton on Saturday during the third quarter at Faurot Field.

Cornerback Aarion Penton returns an interception for a touchdown.

A Missouri cheerleader rests on the stairs as a fan walks by.

The Missouri Tigers celebrate after their win against Southeast Missouri 34-3 Saturday at Faurot Field.                             

Dale Roberts, executive director of the Columbia Police Officers' Association, looks out a window of The Broadway hotel before speaking to the media on Tuesday in Columbia. Roberts cited former Columbia Police Officer Rob Sanders' 2013 open disciplinary hearing as a example of why open hearings are beneficial for employees.

David Megahan stands among his mounts in his taxidermy shop, Columbia Taxidermy Studio, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2015 in Columbia, Mo. Megahan's studio was full of deer, but also included various mounts from Africa he was preparing to start work on, including a cape buffalo and an impala.

A whitetail deer mount hangs on the wall at Columbia Taxidermy Studio on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2015. The studio, owned by David Megahan is full of deer mounts, but also includes various mounts from Africa such as cape buffalo and impalas.

A punt is blocked for a safety by Missouri linebacker Clarence Green during the first quarter of their game against Connecticut. 

Fans wave their hands during the fourth quarter of the Missouri football game against Connecticut on Saturday.

Greg Berkstresser photographs, from left, Golden Girls Amelia Maddox, Llynsie Iglehart, Danielle Colombatto and Morgan Berkstresser as they pose with a Mizzoufootball Instagram cutout before the game against Connecticut on Saturday.

Posters from a #RacismLivesHere rally are taped inside Jesse Hall after students marched inside Thursday.

Portable toilets sit in a line behind one of the stages set up Thursday morning in Stephens Lake Park in preparation for the Roots 'N' Blues 'N' BBQ Festival.

Zailey Hodson, 3, smiles Saturday as deacon Aaron Duncan talks to her during a hymn at Perche Baptist Church in Clark, Missouri. The church celebrated the building's centennial Saturday with a service and potluck.

Members of Perche Baptist Church congregation listen to a service Saturday in Clark, Missouri. The church celebrated the building's centennial Saturday. The original church, which was built in 1835, was made of logs.

The super moon lunar eclipse is seen from the bur oak in McBaine on Sunday. Clouds covered the blood moon for most of the eclipse.

People wait to see the supermoon lunar eclipse below the bur oak tree in McBaine on Sept. 27. Clouds covered the blood moon for most of the eclipse.

Students stand with flags from countries around the world Tuesday in front of Ellis Library before carrying the flags around campus during the International Flag Day parade. The parade is held annually to raise awareness of the diversity of students and faculty.

25: Still Alive

This isn't how it was supposed to be. This isn't how I planned it.

But it's how it is.

Since my 21st birthday, I've been taking self-portraits. The first one was taken because it was a landmark birthday. There was no future plans, I just wanted to remember who I was when I turned 21 and I had been aching to take a portrait of someone on the stairs of my apartment.

Then, people liked the photo. More importantly, I liked the photo.

Portraits, in general, give us the chance to study the person presented. They give us the chance to be voyeuristic and take in all the subtleties we care to. If you turn the camera on yourself, it allows you to do the same thing to yourself.

I haven't shown any of these portraits to anyone, save for the first one. I've been doing this on the down low for five years, hoping to have something interesting by the end of five. I don't really know how anyone else will feel looking at these photos. Maybe they'll just be seen as a vainglorious venture of little interest.

I don't care. It's not for you, it's for me.

I want to measure my time and see who I was at each of these points; to see where I was both physically and emotionally. One photograph every birthday.

21

21, Bozeman, MT: Sitting on the steps of my apartment after a night out at the bars with about three or so friends. My birthday wasn't nearly as big as I had anticipated, and I think the only person who bought me a drink was a bartender who gave me a free shot. This was the start of my second year at this apartment and the beginning of my senior year of college. I had just returned from a month in Africa about a week earlier. I was struggling to re-adjust to everything we take for granted. I couldn't help but feel guilty. I was trying to understand an intimate and confusing relationship I had formed with a girl I'd worked with in Africa. I had also had a drunken argument with what was one of my closest friends the night before. I was dealing with what would become a much larger split between us. Somehow, I think I felt good at this moment. This was a break in the storm and a time before relationships fell apart. I spoke with my dad on the phone that morning after finding my cellphone in the park a few blocks away. He said, "You're a man now." It meant a lot to me. It meant much less to my lady-friend when I told her about it that night at Music on Main.

22

22, Bozeman, MT: I was upset. I was homeless, living off my friend's couch, and preparing to leave the state, having just finished my degree. My lease had ended a month before I thought it would, meaning I had to throw my stuff together and out of the apartment in a hurry. I had a few friends come to the bar to say goodbye that night, but not nearly as many as has RSVP'd to my birthday/going away celebration. It hurt. I felt alone. I didn't know what was coming next, besides the eventual move to Missouri within a month. I didn't have a job or housing lined up. I felt very disconnected from everything. 

23

23, Columbia, MO: I had been living in Columbia just under a year and was working at the Columbia Daily Tribune part-time. My puppy had made his way back to me in December 2012 when my parents brought him back to me for Christmas. He was one of my few friends at the time, as I struggled to adjust to the social scene, being a recent grad and not having enough money to go downtown often. I was struggling to find inspiration to make images at this point and waiting for an opportunity to advance at the Tribune, taking whatever photo assignments I got. I went out to the bars alone this night, made a couple drunken friends, and woke up on the cold marble in front of the fireplace in my house.

24

24, Columbia, MO: I was struggling to stand for this picture. I was dealing with a hangover that would prove to be one of my worst. But I was feeling optimistic. I was beginning grad school the next morning and a bunch of my new classmates had taken me out the previous night, paying for all my drinks and treating me like an old friend. I couldn't remember a birthday where I felt that good before. I felt like I belonged, like I'd found some friends finally, after a long two years in Columbia with so few friends, especially of my own age. I'm also dealing with the ache of having to say goodbye to South Korea, where I planned to go teach English instead of attend graduate school. It was hard standing at the precipice of that life choice, realizing how completely different those two paths were and how much my life differed on each of them. I had never wanted to go back to school again. Ever. I also find it funny looking back, realizing that as a kid I thought 24 would be my prime. I thought I'd be married and making good money and figured this would probably be the year I'd buy a house. Instead, I was headed back to school, single, with over $20k in debt renting a house with three other strangers.

25

25, Columbia, MO: Here I am. 25. There's a lot going on in my mind, and I've spent the day somewhat in awe that I'm still alive. Another part has been somewhat disturbed by the ever encroaching 30. I'm headed to the back nine of my 20's and it's scary. Life isn't what I'd thought it'd be. I realize that every year I have to swallow a big hard pill of what life is really like, and how hard and complicated decisions become as you get older. I'm trying to figure out the next step, while not tripping over the current one. I'm in a new house once again. 

That's all I've got to share this time around. Twenty-five is still a little too fresh to divulge all that's going on in my life. The descriptions will be better next time, I hope. It's been a rush to get this up after work with how busy life has been.

The project is all being shot on a Graflex 4x5 press camera with expired Fuji 100C45. As the first image shows, the idea is to strip all the negatives, as it is a beautiful tonality. But, life being imperfect, I've hit a bunch of roadblocks, most important of which is a V700 scanner that's failing to focus, so I don't have the negatives, or even good scans of the polaroids.

Forgive me.

I won't show anymore portraits until 2020, when I turn 30.

We'll see what all these pictures have to say then.

Thanks for looking.


Instagram: @justnlstewart