Team Deakins & Kansas City Street
This past weekend, I brought students from our Media Arts program at Bethany Lutheran College to Kansas City, MO for an event with Team Deakins, featuring Sir Roger Deakins and his wife and collaborator James Deakins. Roger developed a photo book showcasing documentary and street images from throughout the years. We attended a book talk, followed by a screening of "1917" at the National WWI Museum and Memorial—an ideal collision of my passion for cinema and photography!
The discussions, led by Travis Wears, were insightful, inspirational, and humbling. Roger and James, titans of the film industry, proved remarkably humble and generous, even staying to sign everyone's copy at the book event—a gesture, I was informed by Rainy Day Books, the event organizer, that doesn't typically happen.
While the primary focus was on these once-in-a-lifetime events, our group also had the chance to explore the city and enjoy a fantastic brunch together at Union Station Kansas City. As part of our exploration, I entrusted one of my students, Collin Neville, with my X100T and an open invitation to capture images. Personally, I woke up at 6:30 in the morning, venturing into the city to make pictures. Despite having only a few hours, the experience was deeply rewarding and healing, and I was lost in the creative process. During the conversation with Roger and James, I discovered that Roger had spent his days in Kansas City similarly, walking around and photographing for up to six hours. It's heartening to know we share the same passion for discovering images.
Below, you'll find a collection of images captured by Collin and myself during the trip. I curated and developed Collin’s images along with my own. It was great seeing the students play and collaborate throughout the day. While the staged photos show a great understanding of light and composition its the genuine smile from one of the students, Ben, that really strikes me. That’s someone focusing on the moment in front of them and finding beauty in the little things, like a friends laughter. Well done Collin. As for my images the last image in the collection is a photograph that will likely become one of my most cherished portraits. I asked Roger and James if I could make a portrait of them and they were happy to oblige. I hope to get a print and send them a copy.
I'm already eagerly anticipating my next opportunity to capture street photos.
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