Author: Robin Davis

10/13/15

Spirits of Macon GA

During our last spooky photoshoot with The Third Eye Photo Adventures and Workshops, we were visited by 6 local spirits among the gravestones of Riverside Cemetery… the apparitions of some of Macon’s most notable and notorious spirits were roaming the grounds as twilight approached and we were fortunate to capture some images and hear their tales.

Riverside Cemetery Reenactor portrays Anjette Lyles, Macon GA

Anjette Lyles, played by actress Angelia Hoomes, was a well known Macon restauranteur and notorious poisoner rumored to practice voodoo, but everyone ate her fried chicken anyway because it was so good! Although convicted for the fatal poisoning of 4 family members for their insurance money and sentenced for execution, it was not a proper fate for Southern ladies of the 1950’s, so she was deemed to be insane and institutionalized in Milledgeville’s Central State Hospital… where she worked as the cook.

Chester Burge played by Phil Comer at Riverside Cemetery Macon Georgia

Accused murderer Chester Burge, was believed to be behind his wife’s strangulation, even though he was recovering in the hospital at the time. Although wealthy and descended from an elite family, he was reviled by society for his shady business dealings and depraved personal life. Chester’s twisted story is brought vividly back to life by actor Phil Comer, who will also be appearing in an upcoming film as a commentator about this bizarre tale.

Here are more images from the 2015 Spring Spirit Stroll at Riverside Cemetery in Macon, Georgia:

Nun in Cemetery Macon Georgia

Sister Mary Edward, nun and principal of Catholic Schools in Macon, appears by the Sisters of Mercy Cross.

Rose Hill Cemetery, Macon, GA

The young Ella Lee DeHaven, reads love letters from her future Yankee husband whom she met as he marched through Georgia with Sherman. He later came back to live in Macon, where they were married.

Reenactors at Riverside Cemetery Macon, GA

Anne Royall, a journalist from Washington DC visited Macon in the 1830s where she met and interviewed Solomon Humphries, also known as “Free Sol,” a former slave who became a prosperous local businessman.

Special thanks to these reenactors who made pages from Macon’s history come vividly to life for us!

All photos and text ©2015 Robin Davis

09/5/15

What do Medieval Musicians look like?

Medieval Musicians have the jaunty authenticity of traveling minstrels, wandering from town to town, never stopping, but at home everywhere.

Robin Davis Photography, Cortona Center of Photography, Italy, musician, pipe, smoking, man, medieval, Medieval Musicians, reinactment, festival, italian, italia, Cortona,

They are on a quest to deliver something of great musical importance, a message of wilder notes and harmonies of the past that were originally learned from listening to nature. These are carved wooden sounds from instruments made by people who are still in on the ancient secrets, and these players have the authority to take us back into a much older time.

Robin Davis Photography, Cortona Center of Photography, Medival Music, Medieval Musicians, Italy, Italian, bagpipes, bagpipers, Cortona, Arcidado, Tuscany

These Medieval Musicians are always in Character, and happy to pose of us. Our assignment is not just about photographing our subjects alone, and we are always on the lookout for harmonious shapes and forms, using Cortona’s ancient streets and buildings to add pleasing geometries, tension, and visual interest to the entire image.

For Robin’s photography workshops in Cortona Italy: www.cortonacenter.com

AND WHAT DO THEY SOUND LIKE?…

 

 

all text and images ©2015 Robin Davis

07/19/15

The Fellowship Tree

 

Like two friends together, The Fellowship Tree waits in a corner of Orme Park in Atlanta, Georgia.

With roots like two huge feet grounding a mythical creature, this tree has a distinctive skin spotted with lopsided hearts and initials that have morphed and aged like grizzled old tattoos, bowing and growing wider every year, stretching over the bulging trunks as they slowly expand. For me this joined tree is alive with sentiment, known and loved by many visitors over the years. I wonder how many of the friends and couples documented here have stayed together like our tree?

Robin Davis Photography, The Fellowship Tree, Orme Park Atlanta Georgia

 

Robin Davis Photography, The Fellowship Tree, Orme Park Atlanta Georgia

 

text and images ©2015 Robin Davis