The Ghost of Elvis on Union Avenue Photo

Photographer’s Note

Good morning, y'all!

I have a special treat today. I saw the ghost of Elvis while I was in Memphis last month. Yep, just like the song says, this was on Union Avenue. Sun Studios, right where you might expect to see him hanging out for breakfast in the diner next door.

This diner is actually part of the museum that is Sun Studios today. It is just this side of a tourist trap (until you get into the actual studio), but I did not care, not in the least.

This place was my Musical Mecca. It was the best part of the trip (doing my best Jim Morrison imitation). I kind of used up my daily allotment of words on my post on TrekLens, though. Please check that post out for the real story. It is the one of my favorites, ever, on either TE or TL. The link will open in a new window or tab depending upon your browser configuration.

I like the photograph over there, too.

I shot this one after we finished the tour of the studio. This guy, truly an Elvis aficionado (too bad with such lo-res as they allow here you cannot see his EP and TCB rings), was sitting in the booth at the Diner/Soda Fountain/Ticket Office/Vintage Record Shop/T-Shirt Shop place where we started. If you ever get to Memphis, this place is a must see. There are more ghosts than just Elvis hanging around there.

Again, please see my post on TrekLens to understand why I'm a little short on words now.

I will say that I was surprised by the young people that run this place, that do the tours. We flagged down a Sun Studios van that was driving down the street to ask how to get there and he said "Hop in, I'm driving around to my usual pick-up spots and the next tour is at 11am." He was a young guy, too. They are all very enthusiastic, very knowledgeable. I think they might be today's version of hippies, but I don't know. There are just so many variations these days!

Also, if you go and you have AAA, CAA, or AARP, let them know before you purchase the tickets, as if they think you are wealthy enough to pay full price, they will not offer you a discount. Not that the tour is not worth it - it was worth twice the price to me - but every little bit helps in this economy!

So, have a wonderful Wednesday, it's Hump Day!

hispic, erdna has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

omerozden (1241) 2009-06-10 7:22

hello reed,
this man really looks like elvis!
i like the compo, colors etc.
there is one thing i need to mention:
the man who styles and shows himself this way would enjoy to have eye contact. everything on him, rings, glasses, hair style is made for showing other people that he looks like elvis. you could have preferred a much better POV which you could establish eye contact.
regards,
omer

batalay (20642) 2009-06-12 6:03

Hello Reed,

A wonderful, under valued shot. The composition, colors and resolution are all excellent. It is an astonishing culture that Elvis and his ghosts, and their ghots... all live on.

Warm regards,

Bulent

delpeoples (5260) 2009-06-13 5:30

Hey Reed, Elvis really has NOT left the building! Great spotting, great title and thanks for the laugh. He's just missing a cheeseburger or 4 and we'd have the complete set. I like the side on pose, the position within the frame (to the far right) and of course your sharpness. Excellent work, Lisa.

phwall (5396) 2009-06-15 16:52

Hi Reed,
That guy has to be wearing the worst rug I ever saw..
Great shot, good framing and as usual as sharp as a tack.
Cheers
Pete

trewheeler (1681) 2009-06-17 9:50

Now there's a hunk-a hunk-of burnin' love right there. You never know, Elvis could have molded himself from this guy and not the other way around?! Interesting syrup he's got on! Nice profile. Regards, TW

hispic (7399) 2009-06-17 20:08

Hi Reed,
Nice capture of a good Oldies mood. Framing and the good choice of aperture make this image very powerful. Union Avenue is famous also in Sun Studio in the Japanese.
Best wishes, Hisashi

Glint (2989) 2009-06-18 9:28

hello Reed,
first of all I must tell you that I found you through reading a critique you wrote on a photo of Jan Jasmis'. This is one of my favourite ways of finding new photographers (at least new to me); interesting critique may just mean interesting photographer. So here I am and I'm not disappointed as I especially enjoy people in the frame. And here is a cracker.This certainly is a characterful portrait. He's kind of grotesque in a fat, ugly and with big earlobes sort of way.But I suppose that was Elvis at the end.(how come Elvis lookee-likes usually imitate his later years when he squeezed into those awful white jump suits?). Is this a sneak shot? if so well done!You've managed to get a perfect light and sharpness and the composiition's not bad either.
regards,
Bev

erdna (5346) 2009-06-21 12:13

Your choice of words for your photographs go perfectly with your unique subjects that are always framed right. You make good journalistic photography.

Andre'