A Photographer's

Sketchbook


A Walk Around Downtown Galax Virginia is a celebration in photographs of life, events, art, culture and people of the City of Galax, Virginia. While some were planned projects, most of the images are from walks around downtown either during events o…

A Walk Around Downtown Galax Virginia is a celebration in photographs of life, events, art, culture and people of the City of Galax, Virginia. While some were planned projects, most of the images are from walks around downtown either during events or while my wife and I are simply taking our son for a stroll. It is sometimes easy to forget the beauty of your hometown when you see it every day and I try to capture different angles and views for a new perspective. This book is by no means an official walking tour of the city. The photos are in no particular order. It is rather a product of some people who have asked for me to publish my work in a coffee table book. I will not drop any names here (you know who you are.) This request has inspired me in many of my photographs since it has been in the back of my mind, tugging at me and motivating me to get out and take more photos.

My new book is now available for purchase at one of the following locations. You may also add your name to the list at Chapter’s Book Shop in Galax, VA for a copy. If you wish to see the book first, a copy will be on display at the Galax Visitors Center and Chestnut Creek School of the Arts soon. The books are print on demand and take a few weeks to ship. If you would like to order one directly from me and have it signed, please fill out the form below. I will contact you and get the signed copy to you as soon as possible.

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About Larry

Half a century ago, I was lucky enough to be born in Galax, Virginia. My mother worked at various restaurants while I was growing up, but was mostly a stay at home housewife. My father was a mechanic at Hanes for as long as I can remember. I graduated Galax High School in 1983 and except for a small stint in the military and a year living in Blacksburg, Virginia, I have spent my entire life in Galax. In 2004, I purchased the building at 109, N. Main St. in Galax, which was the location of my business. A few months later, I sold that business and rented out the office space on the ground floor while living in the apartment upstairs. In 2011, I started another business in the office space that I currently operate called tech109, Inc.

I have always been, and remain a hobby photographer. Starting in the 70's with the C-126 and C-110 cartridge cameras, along with the disc cameras and Polaroid instant cameras (See Link), I have had a fascination with capturing moments in time to save. In the 80's and 90's, I used various 35mm cameras before trading for a Fujica STX-1 (See Link) which I used for many years. It was an fully manual SLR camera that, to this day, I still consider my favorite camera. Then came about the evolution of digital photography between 1995-2005 that changed the way we viewed the world. Now that everyone has a camera on their phone, there is plenty of opportunity for us as a species to capture virtually every single moment in time to preserve and cherish. My first digital camera was an Epson, and I haven't looked back since.

 
“Buying a Nikon doesn’t make you a photographer. It makes you a Nikon owner.”
— Unknown
“The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera.”
— Dorthea Lang
 
 

Living downtown, has afforded me the extraordinary opportunity to document life in downtown Galax. As one of my fans put it, "The Streets are your playground." I always have some type of camera with me when we go on our nightly walks around town when the weather permits and during events such as rain and snow storms. I also enjoy night and astrophotography which usually require me to travel beyond the city lights of downtown.

I currently shoot with the following equipment:

  • Sony a7R III with several vintage lenses with adapter.

  • Nikon D3300 with a standard 18-55 mm kit lens, a 55-200 mm kit lens, a Nikon 50mm lens and a Tonika 11-16 mm wide angle lens.

  • Pentax K10 with a standard 18-55 mm kit lens

  • Sony RX100 V Point and Shoot

  • iPhone X Plus

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