The Lights of Lexington

I love the city of Lexington. I've spent most of my life here. I grew up in Eastern Kentucky, in a little po-dunk town along the Mountain Parkway, but ever since leaving for college in 2001, Lexington has been my home.

It was scary at first, and a bit daunting. I went from a county that was famous for only having one stop light for most of my life to a town where you have lights every block. The noises, the lights, it was an entirely different world. But soon I settled in, and now I don't know if I could leave it.

Looking at my work, it's evident. I've spent so many afternoons just wandering around the city throughout the day. I've taken pictures of the farmer's market, festivals, gatherings, wedding parties, prom gatherings. Not prompted, not paid for. I was just there, to see the city alive.

So much goes unnoticed by most of the people that work in/commute through/go to school in the city. Graffiti takes on the role of the mouth of the city, decrying city leaders for their lack of action. I've seen the city love, bringing forth all types to celebrate life, freedom, and choices. I've seen the city grow, as businesses and shops spring up out of nowhere. And I've seen the city in pain, with a giant scar in the middle of it's downtown.

Recently I took to the streets again, this time to record the city after the sun went down. I have walked through Lexington at night several times before. It's an interesting energy. I've only attempted to shoot it at night twice. Once was right after a storm, and created beautiful skies. The second was recently, and my first attempt at long exposure photography.

I learned alot. Places I thought would make for amazing pictures turned out disappointing. And I was able to find some great spots where I didn't expect much interest to show up.

Below are shots from my recent trip out. I hope you enjoy.

This is my favorite of the bunch. I love the Kentucky, and I think the shot turned out extremely well.

Got alot of comments regarding this picture, so I thought I would throw it in. I want to improve on it, but that's for another shoot.


Shot on the corner of Limestone and Main.

Vine street and the new neon on the new Hilton. The only dislike I have about this picture is the angle. Something I need to work on.


Taking a picture of "A La Lucie" on Limestone, when a Lextran bus decided to drive in front of the frame. Interesting results.

Images from Christmas

Ok, it's just a month late! Below are some of the wonderful images of Christmas.

We were lucky enough to get to spend the Christmas season all over the place. With our friends in Lexington, with my family in Winchester, with Bethany's family in Dawson, and here in the comfort of the new house.

First Snow

Pictures from the first snow in December. Taken mostly at Woodland Park and UK Campus.

An update (Finally!)

I've been meaning to update the blog for a while now, though I know very few (if any) people actually read this. Between holidays and work, it's been a hectic month since my last post.

I still need to add some photos from Christmas 2009 to the blog, so look for those soon. (That is, if you've not already seen them posted on my Flickr, www.flickr.com/keithreed01).

More discussion related blogs are hopefully going to be coming this year. The last month I've really been trying to do some hard contemplation about my photographic life, and it's been a bit confusing. Look for some articles forthcoming detailing my frustrations with learning the RAW format and how to manipulate it, as well as my contemplations of trying to sell my work.

Also, look forward in the near future (Hopefully the next couple of days) to a post about my obsession with Downtown Lexington, and how much I enjoyed taking pictures at night in the city.

Hope you keep checking in on this blog. I'm going to try to buckle down and be a bit more serious this year.

A Year in Photography

I received my camera for Christmas in 2008. That means this month, I've had my camera for a full year.

I've not had much of a chance lately to take pictures, as my schedule has been hectic, trying to get everything ready for the holidays. So instead, I thought it would be a great idea for me to post a year in review of pictures. The following are 52 pictures taken in the last 52 weeks (Though not one a week, sorry), to commemorate the first anniversary of my camera. None of the pictures from December are going to show on this (As I've yet to get them uploaded yet), so this post spans from December 2008-November 2009.

Warning! This is going to be a large post, as I'm going to try to post some pictures from each month or big event that I was able to take pictures at. You have been warned! Pictures after the break!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. We got sick (literally), and it's been a miserable two days, but Thanksgiving Day was alot of fun. Spent time in Powell Co. at my Great Aunt's, got to see the old Farmall Cub my father and my uncle restored, and got to eat some great turkey.


The Farmall that was restored.


The Walters homestead.


Dad being goofy

Lexington's Graffiti

Last weekend while walking around downtown Lexington, I noticed something. There appears to be a graffiti campaign going on in the city. I don't know exactly what it's for, or who is doing it, but it caught my interest. Below are several pictures.