East Austin
The Start of a Project
I recently started renting a studio on the Eastside of Austin. The studio is pretty dope and I try to get to it as much as I can – it’s nice to get out of the house as a work-from-home software engineer. Right behind the studio is a housing complex run by the city of Austin and it’s been there for some time. I’ve seen really old cars around the building and the complex reminds me of a place back home.
Based on the Housing Authority City of Austin, Santa Rita Courts was the first public housing project in the country under the U.S. Housing Act of 1937. It was built in 1939. The courts are situated off of 2nd and Pedernales Streets and they house 97 total units with 37 of them being historic.
The complex is a stark contrast to the million-dollar homes being sold in the area, which is why I might start telling the story of old East Austin before it’s gone. I plan to go back sometime to take more photos of the people that live there - possibly portraits, possibly just daily life. I want to hear the stories of the people who have come and gone, and who presently live there.
I haven’t used my journalism skills in quite some time, but I think this might be the perfect opportunity to use them…
Photography
My Camera Gear
Mirrorless Camera: FujiFilm X100V (I try to stick to the 50mm focal length)
Film Camera: Olympus OM-2n with a 50mm f/1.8
Filters: Tiffen Black Satin 1/8 and Tiffen Circular Polarizer
FujiFilm Recipe: Coastal Chrome or Cinematic Gold from fujifilmsimulations
Let’s Get Started - A Sense of Place
The other day I hit up a photog friend, Ches, for a lunchtime photowalk – I’ve been doing more of these lunchtime walks since it’s out of the way of family time – and he recommended we walk around the Eastside. I originally planned to go downtown, but thought this was a great alternative. Ches’ work is absolutely stellar and you should definitely check it out: here.
This walk with Ches really inspired me to take the Eastside more seriously than I had previously. If this complex is anything like the one I know back home, it is a goldmine for good storytelling. But first, I thought it was important to get a sense of place as I photographed around the complex a little bit.
The Santa Rita Courts definitely has history and it’s so quiet during the day. It’s within walking distance to the studio, and I’m definitely looking for more opportunities to tell a story through my photography. I’ll leave it here for now, but I’m hoping to get back there sometime soon.
East Austin. Aug, ‘24
Ches.
