My First Clocktower Photo

This is my first photo of Rome's Clocktower, taken on July 4, 2000. Think this is the perfect time to share it since 2022 is the 150th anniversary of the Clocktower. Throughout the year I'm going to have contests for free Clocktower prints. Make sure you follow me on Facebook and Instagram for your chance to win. 

I had just started working at the Rome News-Tribune and the newsroom crew climbed up on the roof to watch the show.

​This is technically a bad photo. It's out of focus, the exposure is off and the composition doesn't meet my current standards, but it's still one of my favorite photos for several reasons.

1. I moved to Rome in 1996 when I started college at Berry and I think this is the first time that I really appreciated the beauty of our city.

2. This was also the first photo that anyone ever requested from me. I printed it out and I actually signed it! (For those who know me, I've never been comfortable signing my work)

3. It's the first time that I've had ever photographed fireworks or a building at night. Both of these take some technical skills that I didn't have at this time. Seeing this photo makes me realize how much I've grown as a photographer. 

This photo was taken when the fireworks were launched from the levee and since they've moved, I haven't been able to find a similar composition. I really wish I had the skills I have now when I took this photo.