Savannah, 2024

I have recently become fascinated with the endless contortions of growth in the numerous oaks in our extensive urban/suburban forest. I see tentacles reaching for the sky, the ground, and all in-between, each attempting to stake a claim to some portion of the light. Larger, older trees seem to defy gravity; I wonder why some limbs don’t fall just from their own weight. Younger versions feel positively spry. This photograph is how I imagine Ents, from “Lord of the Rings,” should look.

It is hard to see clearly in your own hometown, because you become immune to what you see everyday, no matter how beautiful or curious. It’s all just background noise, as we go from one task to another.

A friend and former Nikon School colleague still does some small group photo trips, and told me he wanted to bring 6 people to Savannah for a few few days; would I help with the itinerary, and would I like to assist? Of course. Helping with the itinerary meant I could show the group more of this region than just the “Historic District” (technically the “Historic Landmark District” since we have something like 15 designated historic districts).

Assisting was a bit of a concern for me. It’s been about 10 years since I’ve done any teaching, and I have not kept up with a lot of camera/photography technology advances because…I don’t want to! Been there, did that, for about 50 years. So my role was to just talk as we went, about making pictures, what to look for, what to look out for, where to stand, etc. It took a day to really get into it, but it was fun, except for not being used to intense 12 hour workdays anymore. And what I got in return, watching them, was a fresh look at home.

For more of Bill’s photographs, go to https://www.billdurrence.com/index