Ricky Davis 1/20/26 Ricky Davis 1/20/26

A Peek inside Salem’s Historic Grand on 35mm film…

Salem’s Historic Grand Theatre - Salem, Oregon - Kodak Tri X Film Photography by Ricky Davis of TRD Photography

Last June I was out in Oregon doing some photography work. I love old theatre’s and Portland had a plethora of them! I’ve always enjoyed Salem, Oregon since my first trip there in 2000 so I was looking to see what was there in the way of old theatre’s and I was not disappointed!

The Grand Theatre looked so amazing on Google, so I had to take a day trip down to check it out myself. For the trip I took a Minolta XG-1 and shot some 35mm Kodak Tri X Film.

I parked a few blocks away because street parking was pretty busy that day, but that was fine because I wanted to explore around the historic downtown area of Salem as well. One of the super cool things about the experience I had at the Historic Grand, was as I was outside taking some photos, I met a guy from the theatre. Most of the time when I’m out photographing the old theatres, they are closed down tight. Whether that’s just the hours that I’m there, or sometimes they are just closed down.

I talked to him about the theatre and he shared with me some of the history of the theatre. It was originally built in 1900. The owners now have had it since 2015 and in talking with him, you can tell he has a real love for these old theatres. I asked if I could take a few photos inside and he let me come in and walk around to check it out and take some photos. I was ecstatic!

Inside Salem’s Historic Grand Theatre - Salem, Oregon - Kodak Tri X Film Photography by Ricky Davis of TRD Photography

The inside was absolutely beautiful! I kicked myself for not having taken my Mamiya 645 instead as I was a bit limited I felt like with the Minolta. It was a new to me camera, and I was still giving it a test. But I’m definitely happy with how the photographs came out, I just wish they’d been on medium format for resolution.

If you’re ever in Salem though, definitely check out this historic place. It’s well worth it! You can check out their website and their socials to see what events are happening.

You can check out their website here.
Find them on Instagram - @salemshistoricgrandtheatre

Ricky Davis 1/19/26 Ricky Davis 1/19/26

Dr. Martin Luther king Jr. Day

“I Have a Dream” mural in Chattanooga, TN. Kodak Tri X Film Photography by Ricky Davis of TRD Photography. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Graffiti tribute

Today is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Day, and I wanted to share a few MLK murals that I’ve found. I have so many feelings and thoughts about the issues we are facing in our current state here in America. It’s overwhelming and so chaotic that it really makes it difficult to process.

I was born in 81, and so growing up I don’t remember anything of this caliber happening here. The Civil Rights Era is probably the closest thing back to what we are experiencing now, other than they were fighting for rights, and we are fighting for rights to not be taken away. But I wonder how Dr. King would approach the things happening today, and so I want to share some quotes that have made me think about things as well.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr mural in Johnson City, TN - Kodak Tri X film photography by Ricky Davis of TRD Photography -

“Let no man pull you so low as to hate him.”
― Martin Luther King Jr

“I have decided to stick to love...Hate is too great a burden to bear.”
― Martin Luther King Jr

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr mural in Chattanooga, TN - Kodak Tri X Film Photography by Ricky Davis of TRD Photography

“In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”
― Martin Luther King Jr.

“Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.”
― Martin Luther King Jr.

“Forgiveness is not an occasional act, it is a constant attitude.”
― Martin Luther King Jr.

“We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.”
― Martin Luther King Jr.

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
― Martin Luther King Jr.

“No one really knows why they are alive until they know what they'd die for.”
― Martin Luther King Jr.

Ricky Davis 1/6/26 Ricky Davis 1/6/26

Etowah L&N Train Depot

Last year I was driving up 411 on my way to Greenback, TN and I took the day to stop at various places on the way up to snap some photos. I always love checking out small towns on my travels and one of the coolest places in a lot of small towns are the old train depots.

In Etowah, TN I came across their old train depot which has been turned into a museum for the L&N Railroad. The museum itself was closed that day but I had a blast checking around the outside and snapping some photos. I was experimenting with a new camera on this trip, a Yashica Mat LM and was shooting Kodak Tri X film.

Etowah’s downtown area was small but very nice and friendly. I met a couple of folks here at the station and had some great conversations. If you’re ever that way, it’s definitely worth a stop.

Ricky Davis 1/2/26 Ricky Davis 1/2/26

Chattanooga Lookouts and At&T Field - Minor League Stadium on Film

Chattanooga Lookouts and AT&T Field - Kodak Tri X Film Photography by Ricky Davis of TRD Photography

I grew up in Chattanooga going to Lookouts games at Historic Engel Stadium but in 2000, the Lookouts moved to AT&T Field. I don’t have as many “nostalgic” moments at AT&T Field, simply because I wasn’t a kid anymore going to games with my dad. However I did get to take my kids to games at AT&T Field over the years. Next year, the Lookouts will be moving to a new field here in Chattanooga, so I decided to stop by and take some photos from outside AT&T Field to capture the stadium as it is today.

One of the cool experiences my kids got to have at AT&T Field was being honored on school night where lots of local schools had their kids in a parade before the game. One of my favorite experiences though was my youngest daughter and I were at an early special game on a Wednesday. I unfortunately was holding my camera taking photos of the game (photographer, go figure) when I foul ball was lined towards us. It was headed for my youngest daughter but I reached out to shield her with my left hand. Unfortunately it bounced off my hand (but luckily it didn’t hit my kiddo). Someone else grabbed the ball and she was pretty disappointed. An usher came up to her and gave her a ball which made her day. It’s moments like that that make memories, especially for kids. Baseball is one of those sports that just offer those one of a kind moments.

One of the special things about baseball is the history, and how new chapters continue to be added. The Lookouts have legends, and more are made as the years go by. Some of the Lookouts legends from my childhood may have never made it big in the majors, but they are still legends to me. One of my favorites was Scott Pose. Then you had Brian Koelling, Calvin (Pokey) Reese, and Steve Gibralter. Pokey had the longest major league career of those guys.

At AT&T field though, there have been three different Major League Teams the Lookouts have represented. The Dodgers, the Twins, and then back to the Reds. In my time at the AT&T Field, I’ve gotten to see Corey Seager, Byron Buxton, Jose Berrios, and others wear the Lookouts uniform. I haven’t gotten to see them but a couple of times since they went back to the Reds due to schedule, but the Reds prospects have been stacked.

So for several years after Covid, I just couldn’t seem to work time in to go see a game. It was strange going back and seeing how things have changed with the digital age. When I used to go, I always got my tickets at the ticket booth, but now so much has gone cashless and digital. It’s weird seeing our national past time grow and change with the times. It’s easy to look at the changes and wish for the past. But there’s still so much beauty in baseball.

There’s just something about the sound of bat hitting the ball just right. The dust from a catchers mitt after a fastball strikes out the other teams cleanup hitter. The air even smells different when it’s spring and baseball season is upon us again. I have a lot of great memories from AT&T Field, and I can’t wait to make some new ones at the new stadium. I’d love to hear some of your favorite memories from the park if you got to watch a game there.

Here’s a few more photos that I got to take that day. All were shot on Kodak Tri X Film.

Ricky Davis 12/17/25 Ricky Davis 12/17/25

Grasshopper Community Church - Scenes from the South

Grasshopper Community Church - Birchwood, TN - Southern Gothic Photography by Ricky Davis of TRD Photography

This photograph is special to me for a couple of reasons. First of all, this church doesn’t exist anymore. Several years ago we had a bad flood and the creek that runs behind this church in the woods overflowed and it was so strong that this church was knocked off it’s foundation and was torn down.

The second reason this photo is special to me is I grew up just down the road from this church. I never attended it, but many a Sunday evenings did I spend out in the pastures throwing baseballs into the air to hit them to the sound of gospel singings taking place at this church. In the moment, things like that don’t mean a whole lot, but looking back on it as you get older you start to look at the culture around you and see it disappearing.

I took this photograph many years ago on 35mm Kodak TMax film. I needed to do a test job because I’d had some issues with developing chemicals and I wanted to test it out. I wasn’t doing much shooting outside of people so I went out and took some photographs around and I photographed this church. I was glad that I did because soon after was the flood. Sometimes you have to take advantage of the time you have.

A Peek inside Salem’s Historic Grand on 35mm film…

Dr. Martin Luther king Jr. Day

Etowah L&N Train Depot

Chattanooga Lookouts and At&T Field - Minor League Stadium on Film

Grasshopper Community Church - Scenes from the South

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