John Lewis, 1940-2020

By Kevin Ames

Congressman John Lewis who died on Friday, July 17, 2020, at age 80 is what human beings aspire to be. He focused his life on ending racism and pursued it with purpose and humility.

Dedication of Al-Farooq Mosque

I had been hired to photograph the dedication ceremonies of Atlanta’s Al-Farooq Mosque on 14th Street on August 17, 2008. I took off my shoes as is the custom when entering the mosque proper. That’s when I very briefly met Representative Lewis. He was very connected to each person he spoke with. Just like everyone else he stood in his socks chatting with people.

I finished making photos inside the mosque, so I went to the lobby where I put my shoes on. I turned and made the photograph below of Mr. Lewis tying his shoe. Even with this simple act we all do every day, he did it with dignity.

I am grateful that I had just a short encounter with this amazing man.

Godspeed, John Lewis.

The monitor on a camera is to review work not to compose a shot unless the camera is on a tripod

Tips & techniques

Be solid! Hold your camera the right way

Sharp photos start with a stable camera. When the camera moves, the picture it takes has some movement blur. High shutter speeds minimize the effect of camera movement, but they do not eliminate it. Here’s how to hold your camera steady.

March 23, 2024 No Comments

Events

John Lewis, 1940-2020

Congressman John Lewis who died on Friday, July 17, 2020, at age 80 is what human beings aspire to be. He focused his life on ending racism and pursued it with purpose and humility. Dedication of Al-Farooq Mosque I had been hired to photograph the dedication ceremonies of Atlanta’s Al-Farooq Mosque on 14th Street on

October 31, 2022 No Comments

Client Stories

Making executive portraits during COVID-19

Like others in this time of the Coronavirus pandemic, I am concerned with taking care of those around me. When it comes to providing a safe environment for creating photographs of people, cleanliness, masks and as much physical distancing as possible are my main concerns. My client Susan and I spoke on Zoom to get

June 12, 2020 No Comments

Painting of astronaut on the moon with American flag on the cover of Time magazine

Events

Happy Anniversary Neil, Buzz & Mike!

Fifty years ago, today, July 20, 1969, the whole world paused to watch a really fuzzy video in black and white of Neil Armstrong stepping onto the surface of the moon. That week the July 25, 1969 issue of Time magazine arrived in my mom’s mailbox in Boise, Idaho. The cover said “Man on the

July 20, 2019 No Comments

The Diamond Ring with solar flares from eclipse 2017 by Kevin Ames

Events

Eclipse photography

Yup. I know. Everyone has heard of it. A lot of people viewed it. Some of us gathered to photograph it. I joined other photographer friends on a just built deck of a not-yet-finished house in Marble, North Carolina to shoot the moon as it passed in front of the sun. This one was made

August 25, 2017 No Comments

Client Stories

Makeup Artist? No question it’s a great idea!

“Do you want a make up artist for your portrait session?” When I used to ask a potential client this question, some women would answer “No, thanks. I can do my own.” The savvy ones said, “Absolutely!” Most men would give me a look that said having them wear make up was an idea from

January 24, 2016 No Comments