Tobacco Trail Pilgrimage

Reynolda House

Whenever I get the opportunity to see striking photographs from great photographers, I try to take advantage of it and make it a photographic pilgrimage of my own. Sadly, the last time I was able to make a photo-centric trip was back in 2010, when I flew to New York City to see Henri Cartier-Bresson‘s photos at the Museum of Modern Art.

Portal, Reynolda House, Winston-Salem

This time, I drove to Winston-Salem, North Carolina to see some glamor and celebrity photographs of the great portrait photographer Edward Steichen.

RJ Reynolds Smokestacks

The photos are being exhibited (the show ends this coming Sunday) at the Reynolda House, on the estate of tobacco magnate R.J. Reynolds.

Repurposed tobacco buildings, Winston-Salem

Downtown Winston-Salem

All of Steichen’s photographs were, of course, fantastic, and I enjoyed walking through the gallery and through the decades of his photos, noting the changes in his style and perspective. Portraits of Martha Graham, Eugene O’Neill, Gershwin, Walt Disney (and Mickey Mouse). His use of shadows and light are inspirational and definitely got the gears turning. When I make these photo pilgrimages, seeing the photos is only part of the experience. The other, equally important part, is making photographs, and exploring a new place. Winston-Salem, a tobacco town like Durham, is certainly more familiar to me than New York, but no less fascinating. Also, the drive through towns like Burlington and Greensboro on the way is in itself a drive through North Carolina history.

Moravian Church, Bethabara

Isaac and I wandered among 19th century buildings on the grounds of Bethabara, and then explored downtown Winston-Salem.

Log Cabin, Bethabara, Winston-Salem

Distiller, Bethabara, Winson-Salem

Along the way we stopped at Sciworks as a concession to Isaac so that he would let me explore the other stuff.

Isaac and reflected twin, Sciworks, Winston-Salem

Isaac moves a heavy stone sphere with one hand, Sciworks, Winston-Salem

Lee Street, Greensboro

A day of photographs, North Carolina history, and science on a typically muggy North Carolina spring day, this journey was well worth the drive. And though Lori and her friend are neither celebrities nor models, I feel that I was able to honor Edward Steichen and all the other great photographers that have come before me with a lovely portraits of some every day folks.

Lori and Friend, downtown Winston-Salem