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Memphis. A city of infamy, known by many for its reputation as badlands. One regularly touted as one of the most dangerous cities in America. From a wide lens, it appears as a city riddled with crime, inundated in poverty, and poor in repute. Look no further than Memphis’ oft ranked position as “The Poorest Metropolitan City in America.” These are many of the reasons that I said goodbye. When I left, I declared to family and friends that I was finished with Memphis. I emphasized that the city and I would never reconcile. Fast forward 10 years, and I realize that Memphis was not finished with me.

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#1

Ambience, Downtown

Ambience, Downtown

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Let me say, I’ve always had a complicated relationship with my hometown. It is a relationship filled with years of memories with family and friends. It was also a relationship where the good was mostly shadowed by traumatic events in my life while growing up in Memphis. Events that would long be etched into our history together and would keep me at arm’s length. Visits with those family and friends became less regular, and when I was present in body, I was absent in mind. I stopped paying attention to the city, the emotions as distant as the body. I no longer cared about who would run for Mayor, what would become of old buildings, or the state of current affairs.

#3

Down On Beale, Beale Street

Down On Beale, Beale Street

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jamie1707
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've been to Beale Street. Fun times. But I'm glad I was in a group. This pic is gorgeous!

10 years, a few cities, many miles and memories, and a marriage later found me in the Chicagoland area. It was “The Great American City”, and it was “My Kind of Town.” Yes, it was a city of art, a city of experience, a city of people, and a city of endless opportunity it seemed. That came with a price. We found ourselves burdened by the cost of living. Day by day, I saw my spouse’s emotional state spiraling. As much as I loved the Chicago area, I knew my family’s well-being was suffering, and I realized that we needed to act soon. At that moment, I did what I said I couldn’t, I did what I said I wouldn’t. We were going to move back to our hometown: Memphis.

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#4

Blue Plate Cafe, Downtown

Blue Plate Cafe, Downtown

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Daria B
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I like this one. The perspective, the colours and the whole atmosphere are just like something taken out of a comic book. Add a small silhouette of a person and I can totally imagine the close up that follows.

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#5

Alleyway With Artificial Moonlight, Downtown

Alleyway With Artificial Moonlight, Downtown

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When I first got back to the city, I was here but I wasn’t present. I didn’t venture out much. I kept myself occupied by working on the home, creating from old photography work in places from my travels to Chicago, France, Croatia, Japan, etc. For a time, I lacked the drive to go out and capture new photos. This wasn’t because I thought Memphis wasn’t photogenic. Indeed, I had taken thousands upon thousands of photos in the area when I was younger. To boot, my spouse often described a Memphis that I didn’t recognize, their experience clashing with mine. It still existed. There was still that arm’s length between Memphis and I that was built all those years ago. Five months elapsed before motivation came around, and I finally decided to venture off into the city and try to capture photos. The unexpected happened: I got lost.

#6

Smokers Outlet, Downtown

Smokers Outlet, Downtown

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#7

Memphis Scene, Downtown

Memphis Scene, Downtown

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Janetinabasket
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Distinct lack of people in many photos. Last time I was in Memphis, I was attacked picking up some food from a restaurant.

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I didn’t recognize my hometown. It was not the city from my past. It was not the Memphis that I had kept at a distance for so long. There had been such a dramatic change. I saw a passionate city, and a growing population of people that realized that it was great and was seizing the opportunity to reestablish Memphis as a popular destination. I saw a city that hadn’t forgotten its past, but it was looking toward its future.

#8

Couple Getting In Vehicle, South Main District

Couple Getting In Vehicle, South Main District

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#9

Joe's Liquor Sign, Midtown

Joe's Liquor Sign, Midtown

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Chuck Sherrod
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I remember this sign. It was used as an example in geometry class, in 1967. 😉

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This series is an ongoing project that focuses on highlighting those efforts and counters the ongoing narrative of Memphis’ poor repute. It is a city with real problems to be solved, but also a city full of opportunities to be seized and one with so much to enjoy. (Don’t get me started on the public transportation system).

#11

Couple Crossing Street, Downtown

Couple Crossing Street, Downtown

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#12

Interior Of Diner, Beale Street

Interior Of Diner, Beale Street

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#13

Alone, Downtown

Alone, Downtown

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#17

Alley And Restaurant, Downtown

Alley And Restaurant, Downtown

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#18

The Park Cosmorama Sign, East Memphis

The Park Cosmorama Sign, East Memphis

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#19

Hieeeeeee, Edge Neighborhood

Hieeeeeee, Edge Neighborhood

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#20

Tower, Downtown

Tower, Downtown

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#21

Encounter II, South Main District

Encounter II, South Main District

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#22

Trolley Stop, South Main District

Trolley Stop, South Main District

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#23

Parking Station, Downtown

Parking Station, Downtown

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#24

Mini Mart, Downtown

Mini Mart, Downtown

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Kathy Baylis
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The five food groups: candy, soda, ice cream, tobacco, and cold beer. My kind of pyramid.

#26

Illuminated, Downtown

Illuminated, Downtown

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#27

Arrive, South Main District

Arrive, South Main District

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#28

Premiere Palace, Edge Neighborhood

Premiere Palace, Edge Neighborhood

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PeggyWestmoreland
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have always loved night photography. That being said, this is how I imagine Memphis to look like. If you use a B&W filter, the city will instantly be transported to the 1950-60's. From enchanting to sublime.