One public assumption about "artists" is that they are often eccentric loners. The opposite of that stereotype, Ray Carrington thrives on being a member of a specific Houston community. For over three decades, the Third Ward has been both the site and subject of his photographs. Like every "street photographer" who regularly walks up one street and down another, Carrington knows the individual blocks, the stores, the schools, the churches, and many of the people who live in this large neighborhood. Gregarious and charming, if Carrington wants to photograph someone he doesn’t know, he introduces himself, explains what he is doing, and asks them what they do. He knows and has photographed "Hub Cap Man" who for many years supported himself by collecting and selling hubcaps. Carrington’s photographs also introduce us to Mr. Boudreaux, "Mama Greens," and to Guillory with his guitar, harmonica, and brown bag of inspiration. Children are often the target of his camera. His photographs explore childhood emotions and experiences through the compassionate eye of a devoted father and teacher.
Carrington credits his love of photography to Herbert Provost, who coached tennis at Texas Southern University and originally got Carrington to T.S.U. with a tennis scholarship. (The team won the conference championship and Carrington won over 100 tennis tournaments.)
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