Bee Brave

I had the opportunity recently to photograph a young girl that touched my heart. Alex’s story is one of adversity, bravery, faith and hope. In this post, she shares her story of dealing with both Psoriatic Arthritis and P.O.T.S. (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome). Alex will also talk about how she shares her message of bravery with other young people.

What is psoriatic arthritis and how does it effect your daily life?

Psoriatic arthritis is a type of arthritis that's accompanied by psoriasis, which is an inflammatory skin disease. When I was six years old, guttate psoriasis covered my entire back from my neck down to my hips. It's incredibly uncommon for this to occur in children, and there is about a thirty percent chance that you will develop arthritis roughly ten years after having psoriasis. For me, the joint pain began presenting itself when I was thirteen. I was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis at the age of fifteen, and it has been an experience, to say the least. Spring of my ninth grade year I experienced my first "flare up", which basically means your immune system freaks out and makes you feel like hot garbage. The worst part was when my jaw locked up and I couldn't talk, chew, smile, or open my mouth more than half an inch for two weeks. On top of that, it felt like my body had been run over by a truck. Then thrown out the window. Then pulverized in a blender. And maybe run over again. My knees have always given me the most trouble, but I also experience pain in my ankles, hips, wrists, fingers, elbows, and toes. I couldn't walk for almost two months last year, and I have holes in the heels of my shoes from scraping them on the ground because it was too painful to pick my legs up to take a step. I'm glad to say that I have improved significantly since then, but I still have accommodations that make daily life easier. For example, I use built up grips on pencils because it's difficult for me to pinch my fingers close together. I also have to carefully ration my time because one thing I didn't realize about having arthritis is how quickly you become exhausted. There's a laundry list of medicines and supplements that I take every day, but the biggest ones are Orencia and methotrexate, which are both injections that I do once a week. Methotrexate was originally developed as a cancer drug, so it makes my hair fall out and causes me feel quite horrible. However, I am so grateful for how far I've come since last year and for my amazing friends and family who never left my side.

Tell me about your experience with P.O.T.S?

P.O.T.S. (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome) happens due to a malfunction of your autonomic nervous system. Essentially, autonomic functions, such as monitoring heart rate and blood pressure, don't work properly, leading to dizziness, nausea, migraines, fatigue, and passing out. I was diagnosed with P.O.T.S. December of 2021 after experiencing chronic dizziness and exaggerated increases in my heart rate for about three months. (I also decided to be unnecessarily dramatic and give myself a concussion when I passed out.) Unlike arthritis, there aren't really medicines to treat P.O.T.S. The most common recommendations are to eat salt and drink lots of water, but this doesn't cure exactly you. My heart rate nearly doubles when I stand up, so I get incredibly dizzy and often lose vision for several seconds. This increase in heart rate together with a drop in blood pressure is what causes you to pass out. Exercise raises my pulse to an abnormally high bpm (beats per minute), causing me to lose vision or throw up. Once I threw up on a guy's feet at the gym and he moved to Florida the next week. (I really know how to make an impression). In spite of this, I am able to continue doing most of the things I love, and even some I don't love. Like going to the gym.

Talk about your knitting and sewing. How did that begin?

Sewing and crocheting have been the greatest distraction for me this past year. I've been sewing for my American Girl Dolls since I was nine years old, but I didn't start making clothing for myself until November 2020. I picked up crocheting fall of 2021 and made the cardigan and teddy bear in this picture. To pass the time during rehearsals for JA's fall musical, I would crochet little things in the hallway. (That's where I created my first bee!) I also made this gold dress, which I wore to my school's winter formal dance this year. I use built-up handles on my crochet needles because it hurts my hands to keep my fingers in a fist for an extended amount of time. Another reason why crocheting is great is because it keeps my hands and mind occupied when I'm in a lot of pain.

Explain Bee Brave and what it means to you?

"You're so strong." This is a phrase that I have been told countless times over the past two years. "You're so strong for dealing with this. You're so strong for staying positive. You're so strong for not giving up." Although the intentions behind saying these words are always good, hearing them doesn't always feel like a compliment. When you're lying on your bathroom floor sobbing, physically unable to stand back up, the last thing you feel is "strong". When you're screaming into your pillow and want to punch the wall because everything seems so unfair, the last thing you want to be told is, "You're so strong for always seeing the bright side." In my opinion, there are some times when it isn't possible to be strong. And that's ok. However, there is one thing that you can always be: brave. That's why I started crocheting these little bees to give to other kids with chronic illnesses. They fit in the palm of your hand, making them a perfect thing to hold onto while getting/giving yourself a shot. You don't always have to be strong, but you can always Bee Brave.

“When I look at this picture, I imagine all of the weight being lifted off of your shoulders until you feel so light that you can fly.” - Alex Guild

Any final thoughts you would like to share?

There's a line I really like from A Farewell to Arms that says, "The world breaks every one and afterward many are strong at the broken places." It's such a cliche paradox, but pain truly does make you stronger, and I wouldn't trade my body for a healthy one even if I could. I firmly believe that God works all things for good, and I feel so blessed to have had this experience where I can truly trust in Him and rely on His strength, not my own. It's ok to break. It's ok to cry. It's ok to be angry. But through it all, don't forget to Bee Brave :)

Highway 16 and Kodak Portra Film

I recently took a drive from Canton to Carthage along Highway 16 and decided to take a few photographs along the way. I was mainly interested in capturing some of the things you typically see when traveling around Mississippi. The water tower in the photograph above is located in Canton and was the first stop I made along the road. The city of Canton offers many options for photography, especially around the historic square. But, on this day I mainly focused on images along the Highway. I carried my Contax G2 camera loaded with Kodak Portra 400 film. I have often used this film for portraits and wanted to see how it performed when photographing landscapes.

The old building above was a good test of how the film handled harsh sunlight. You can see some detail in the shadows which is an indication of a nice dynamic range to the film. One of the reasons I enjoy using film for my photography is its ability to retain detail in the shadows without blowing out the highlights. The final shot I will share was taken in the town of Carthage. This old car and the signs along the wall were a good test of how the film rendered color.

Overall, I am very pleased with Kodak Portra 400 film. It is versatile and offers nice results for both portrait and landscape photography. I will share some portraits taken with this film in a future post. That is it for this post. See you next time.

Fondren and the Contax G2

I grew up and went to school in the Fondren area of Jackson, Mississippi. There are numerous landmarks in this area that are quickly recognized by anyone from northeast Jackson. The image above of Brent’s Drugs is not much different than how I remember it from my teenage years. The residential part of Fondren is full of beautiful old oak trees that shade the streets creating a perfect environment for an evening walk. Sure, Fondren has seen some changes in recent years, but it still holds on to its heritage and charm. The new restaurants and shops have not taken anything away but added to the experience of visiting this area.

These images are just a continuation of photographs taken with my Contax G2 camera and Fuji Pro 400H film. This has been my walk around camera lately and I really enjoy the images it produces. If you’re visiting Jackson in the near future, I recommend stopping by the Fondren area. There are a number of good restaurants and coffee shops you can visit. The only downside may be finding a place to park. The popularity of the area has created some parking issues at times. But, it is probably best appreciated by taking a leisurely walk around the area anyway.

I would recommend grabbing a hamburger at Brent’s Drugs or Roosters for lunch. Some afternoon coffee at Sneaky Beans, Cups or take the short trip up North State Street to Native Coffee. Then visit Walkers Drive-In for some fine dining that evening. These are just a few of the many nice places to eat and drink in the area. I hope you enjoyed this brief visit to my old stomping grounds. I plan to share more images of this area in future posts along with some additional recommendations. I hope to see you there soon.

Hot Coffee and the Contax G2

I really enjoy a good cup of hot coffee, but that’s not what this story is about. I recently took a drive down to Laurel, Mississippi in search of some photographs. My plan was to take some photographs with my Contax G2 camera. This is a camera that I have owned for many years but rarely have a chance to use. The Contax G2 is a rangefinder-style film camera designed to be used with a series of Zeiss lenses. The lenses for this camera are some of the sharpest lenses that I own. The camera is compact and great for travel without sacrificing quality. On the way to Laurel, I decided to take a detour through Hot Coffee, Mississippi.

According to Wikipedia the towns name came from the story of L.J. Davis. “ L.J. Davis built a store and hung a coffee pot over his door, advertising "the best hot coffee around". His coffee was made from pure spring water and New Orleans beans, and molasses drippings for sweetener. He never served cream with his coffee, believing it ruined the taste. Local politicians would visit Davis' store and buy coffee for constituents and passing travelers. The popularity of Davis' coffee led to the name of the community.”

My choice of film for these images was Kodak Portra 400. This trip was a nice change of pace from my usual photography. I will definitely be taking a few more trips around Mississippi with the Contax G2. After a lifetime in Mississippi, I finally get to check Hot Coffee off my bucket list.

Suffering and Sacrifice

Good Friday

It seemed appropriate that it was overcast and raining the day I captured this image. After all, it portrays Jesus being put to death on a cross. This crucifix is located in Cedar Hill cemetery in Vicksburg, Mississippi. The monument is surrounded by cross shaped tombstones where Catholic nuns from the local order Sisters of Mercy are buried. Some of these nuns cared for sick and wounded soldiers during the Civil War. However, much of the care was not for gunshot wounds or wartime injuries. Most of the deaths from that period were a result of disease. The dates on the tombstones indicate that the majority of the nuns that died during the Civil War period were only in their twenties at the time of their death. It is likely that they contracted illnesses from the soldiers in their care.

Over a million people around the world have contracted a terrible disease from the current pandemic. Many more have been asked to make sacrifices for the better good. Doctors, nurses and first responders are putting themselves at risk everyday. This may be remembered as a period of suffering and sacrifice. However, we are currently living this story and the story is not over. We are not certain what the final chapter will be.

A message of hope

Today is Good Friday. Good Friday is a Christian holiday commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus and his death at Calvary. A day in which Jesus suffered on the cross as a sacrifice for the sin of mankind. Christians celebrate Good Friday because they believe a message of hope arose from the suffering and sacrifice. The image of the cross above was taken in front of Christ United Methodist Church in Jackson, Mississippi. It is the belief of Christians that the story did not end with suffering and sacrifice. The story continued with a message of hope, forgiveness and love. What is the final chapter of our current story? Maybe it has already been written. Maybe, just maybe, we win in the end.

The colors of slide film

Transparency or slide film

Some of you remember the slide projectors of days past. Families would gather around the projector and watch vacation pictures projected on a screen. Countless memories were captured on Kodachrome film until it was discontinued in 2009. Many of Steve McCurry’s images from National Geographic were shot on Kodachrome. Paul Simon even wrote a song about it - “Mama, don’t take my Kodachrome away”. The lyrics went like this:

Kodachrome
You give us those nice bright colors
You give us the greens of summers
Makes you think all the world's a sunny day, oh yeah!
I got a Nikon camera
I love to take a photograph
So Mama, don't take my Kodachrome away

A few slide films are still available today. Kodak Ektachrome, Fuji Provia and Fuji Velvia to name a few. Fuji Velvia is still a favorite with some nature photographers. I captured the image below of a stream in the Smokey Mountains on Fuji Velvia.

Fuji Velvia

Kodak recently released a new version of Ektachrome film. The image at the beginning of this post and the photograph below of the Mayflower Cafe were both captured on Kodak Ektachrome.

Kodak Ektachrome

If you own a film camera and have never used slide film consider giving it a try. I must warn you that slide film is not very forgiving when it comes to exposure. However, when exposed correctly these films can offer some beautiful results.

Focus on what you love

Occasionally, I have the opportunity to work on a project with my two sons Matt and Josh. The recent Red Bluff cycling event was one of those occasions that we were able to work and spend some time together. Matt and Josh operate Hinkle Productions among many other things.

Matt is a firefighter, teacher, pilot, videographer, business owner and a long list of other things. He keeps a very busy schedule juggling all the things in his life. Josh is a technical director, director, graphic designer, website builder, videographer, and his list keeps going as well. I think you get the point. They both have busy lives and anytime I have the chance to be with them is a real pleasure.

I usually keep family images separate from my business photographs, but this week I needed to make an exception. The challenges that the world is facing right now are difficult, to say the least. Many of us have concerns about how long it might take to return to normal life. I must admit that my anxiety level has been quite high in the past few days. Then, I found that reflecting on the things that I love about my life helped me to escape my anxious thoughts. My faith, my family and my friends will get me through anything this world can throw at me. If your struggling with the current situation, try focusing your thoughts and maybe your camera on what you love about your life. It might just help and It certainly can’t hurt!

Red Bluff Cycling Event

I had the pleasure to work with Bo Bourne on the Red Bluff cycling event in Monticello, Mississippi this past weekend. Red Bluff is a benefit for the Lawrence County Voluntary Fire Association. The event began on Friday in Brookhaven where cyclists registered and got to know one another. Professional cyclist Phil Gaimon, Frankie Andreu and Lauren Hall participated in the event. Phil Gaimon is a retired former seven-year professional cyclist and 2018 and 2019 Hillclimb World Champion. Frankie Andreu is a former nine-time Tour de France veteran and two time Olympian. Lauren Hall was a member of the USA Cycling National team for five years, raced in four different world championships and won three national titles in track cycling. She also was a member of the winning Giro Rosa team, the most prestigious women’s race in the world.

The Grand Fondo took place Saturday in Monticello, Mississippi on a challenging course of 103.5 miles and 5000 feet of climbing. The most difficult thing about photographing cycling is the fact that it covers over 100 miles. It takes some planning to stay ahead of the pack and capture them at the best places for photography. The roads were some of the oldest and most historic roads in Mississippi. The route offered some great opportunities for photography. I enjoyed being a part of this event and I want to congratulate everyone that completed the course. Images from Friday, Saturday and Sunday can be viewed by clicking on the links below:

https://markhinklephotography.shootproof.com/gallery/11727467

https://markhinklephotography.shootproof.com/gallery/11727531

Mayflower Cafe

The Mayflower Cafe opened its doors in 1935. It is the oldest operating restaurant in Jackson, Mississippi. Mayflower Cafe is a downtown landmark and often featured in the works of area artists. We have a print of the Mayflower created by local artist Mark Millet hanging in our home.  The restaurant was featured in the movies Ghost of Mississippi and The Help. Their salad dressing was called the nation’s number one condiment by Maxim magazine. It was also featured on Food Networks “The Best Thing I Ever Ate.”

This year Mississippi had to deal with some major flooding because of all the rain. In an attempt to turn a negative into a positive, I decided to use the rain and create an image of a Jackson landmark. Sometimes we just have to embrace whatever comes our way.