I joined Professional Photographers of America in 2014, mostly because they insure my photography equipment. However, PPA also hosts Imaging USA out of their headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia at the Georgia World Congress Center. I had never been to a photo convention before and the PPA gives you a free ticket for the first time you attend Imaging USA. Plus, I assumed January in Atlanta would be more enjoyable than Philadelphia. Perfect excuse for a road trip! With a few other stops planned out along the way, we embarked on our journey.
Along the way I kept a journal chronicling the details of our trip. I've always enjoyed making books and combining my love of drawing, collage, and photography. I inserted some highlights from the various places we visited. Enjoy!
CNN offers a guided tour of their headquarters. This includes the opportunity to listen in on the live audio feed of the director inside the control room. Just as interesting is the look into the newsroom. We went on a Sunday afternoon; the newsroom seemed dead the reporters looked pretty bored. I guess even the worldwide leaders in news have chill days.
Along the walk toward Ebenezer Baptist Church, even at the height of segregation this area formed an independent thriving African American community.
3-Day Unlimited Pass for $18.00. Great deal!
The different neighborhoods of Atlanta are spread out and the MARTA Lines can’t get you to all of them. Luckily, there’s the Beltline, an old railroad that has been converted to a walking and biking path.
The first speaker we sat in on was Sam Abell, who worked for National Geographic and has a very technical, precise approach to the way he composes pictures. The different situations he is able to capture is amazing.
We walked on the path to Ponce City Market, an old Sears warehouse converted into a Hipster paradise.
We also listened to Clyde Butcher speak about his work and one of my favorite subjects, the Nationals Parks. He uses an 8x10 camera to create huge black and white prints, but sometimes uses cameras as large as 12x20.
If you want to splurge, the Sun Dial is a good place to do it. It’s at the top of the Westin and the entire thing rotates giving you a view of the entire city. If you’re not trying to splurge, the bar is above the restaurant and it offers a limited, but much cheaper menu.
Any Walking Dead fan needs no introduction to this photo.
Zack taking in an imaginary service from Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
Coca-Cola propaganda everywhere! We felt like we had been brainwashed. Craving a coke right now.
We enjoyed a closing party at the Georgia Aquarium, the largest in the western hemisphere. They have FOUR whale sharks!!!
