Ricky Davis 1/22/26 Ricky Davis 1/22/26

A Look outside of Smokies Stadium in Kodak, Tn.

Smokies Stadium in Kodak, TN - Former home of the Tennessee Smokies Baseball Team - Kodak Tri X Film Photography by Ricky Davis of TRD Photography

Recently I was driving to Johnson City, TN and I stopped off to check out the outside of Smokies Stadium in Kodak, TN. I grew up loving baseball and I’ve been working on a project taking photos of different ballparks, so I couldn’t not take the opportunity to photograph Smokies Stadium.

The stadium is currently empty as the Smokies moved back to Knoxville in 2025. From everything I have found, the stadium is still being decided on what will be eventually happening to it, although the last article I read was for a developer that will keep the stadium in tact.

Smokies Stadium isn’t a super old ballpark, it was opened in 2000 and 2024 was it’s final year. I didn’t get to go but to a few games here over the years as it’s a couple hours from my home, but it always had a different feel to me than a lot of the other stadiums. Although I do have some awesome memories from Smokies Stadium.

In 2009 I believe it was, I got to meet one of my childhood heroes, Dale Murphy. He was doing a meet and greet signing at the Smokies/Braves game. Jason Heyward was playing for the Mississippi Braves at the time, but I spent the whole game in the line that wrapped around the stadium to meet Murphy. I was ecstatic!

I went back for another game to see Heyward and Freddie Freeman. I also went to see Kris Bryant when he was playing for the Smokies and tearing up minor league hitting. I’ve always loved the feel of minor league games.

I’m hoping to get to swing by and check out the Smokies new park sometime in the near future. Here’s a few more photos that I took outside of the stadium. Sadly there wasn’t a whole lot outside of the stadium to photograph. I’d love the opportunity to get permission to make photograph the inside of the stadium sometime. I loved the way the outfield was setup for fans to stand at the wall. I’d love to get a photograph of the stadium from that angle.

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 12/28/25 Ricky Davis 12/28/25

Coca-Cola and Santa - Scenes from the south.

Coca-Cola Santa Claus Billboard in Chattanooga, TN. Kodak Tri X Film Photography. Photo by Ricky Davis of TRD Photography.

Growing up in the 80’s I have a long of memories connected to Coca-Cola and Santa. I recently watched a documentary about how Coca-Cola’s marketing actually helped change and shape our view of Santa over the years. It’s really fascinating.

This Christmas season, I saw these billboards pop up around Chattanooga, Tennessee and I wanted to take a photograph of it because it’s just so timeless. You just can’t beat a classic St. Nick.

So shout out and thank you to Coca-Cola for all the Christmas memories!

Ricky Davis 12/26/25 Ricky Davis 12/26/25

Revisiting Georgia’s Abandoned Asylum….

Central State Hospital - Milledgeville, GA - Abandoned Insane Asylum - Kodak Tri X Film Photography - Photographer Ricky Davis of TRD Photography

In 2024 I made my first visit to Central State Hospital in Milledgeville, Georgia. It was built in the 1840’s and was in use until the early 2010’s. I made a blog post that really focused in and showcased the history of the facility. It’s here on my blog under Walking the Grounds, definitely feel free to check it out. The history is harrowing but fascinating.

This year I revisiting Central State Hospital. When I went the first time I was mainly working with my digital camera, a Canon 6D, but immediately on arriving I was kicking myself for not having taken any of my film camera’s. So this year I made a trip to Savannah, Georgia and on the drive back, we went through Milledgeville again so I could take my film camera’s and take some photographs again. I got to spend a bit more time there this time as we visited it in the evening, spent the night in Milledgeville, and then went back for a bit the next morning. I shot some 120 film as well as 35mm. I used all Kodak Tri X Film.

So onto the photos!

I love photographing signs. This sign pointing to the Powell Building is all weathered and I regretted not taking a photo of it on my first trip. I love it in b&w.

This is another photo of the Powell Building. It was the main building at Central State Hospital and it was where patients were admitted. It is HUGE. This shot was on 35mm film. The night before I found that with my Mamiya 645, I was limited by my lenses and couldn’t get the wider angle shots that I really wanted to achieve. So I went back the next morning and used my Canon EOS 1-N.

This plaque was on one of the other buildings near the Powell Building.

This is a photo from the Walker Building. It was one of the men’s dormitories there on Central State Hospital’s campus.

This is the doorway into the Walker Building.

This “Quiet Please” sign on the front door of the Powell Building just hit me some sort of way. The energy there is very heavy when you’re walking around. So seeing some of these things there, it just has a lot of emotion to it.

This “One Way” sign was very provoking to me. With the Powell Building behind it, it says One Way with the arrow pointing away from here…

This was a secondary entrance that I saw with a lot of growth around it.

This driveway goes under the porch of the Powell Building. As I mentioned before, the Powell Building was for admittance. This spot really bothered me personally. There’s a door beneath the porch. It seems to me that it was probably used to admit people, but I could also see it being used for removal as well. In it’s use, over 25,000 patients died at the facility.

These were the front steps of the Powell Building. As I was there I couldn’t help but think of the stories they could tell of people going up and down them.

This overlooked the porch of the Powell Building. I could just see a Vincent Price type doctor standing here, overlooking a new patient coming to the facility. You can definitely let your imagination run wild with you here.

The truth is this facility was a dark place. There were many reports of patient cruelty and heinous things being done here. At the same time, I’m sure there were doctors and nurses that truly cared about the patients. At it’s height Milledgeville held over 13,000 patients at one time. It was the largest asylum in America. With numbers like that, and technology being what it was, there were times where people went to far. It would be overwhelming to be in a place like that as a patient or as a doctor. It’s a sad part of our history, but it’s one that doesn’t need to be lost to time, or erased. We must remember our history in order to not repeat it.

These next few photos will finish up the revisit and they are from various places around the campus. I’d love to hear what your thoughts are on this revisit to Central State Hospital.

Ricky Davis 12/22/25 Ricky Davis 12/22/25

Hope is Coming…Scenes from the South

Hope is Coming - Religious Sign series - Scenes from the South - St Elmo, Chattanooga, Tennessee. Photo by Ricky Davis of TRD Photography. Kodak Tri X Film Photography

One of my absolute favorite series that I started working on this year has been my religious sign series. It’s something that I should have started years ago. Just the response I’ve received from it so far this year and the amount of amazing conversations that I’ve gotten to have with people about it, it’s been astonishing.

Recently here in Chattanooga, there has been these “Jesus is Coming- Repent” signs popping up everywhere, and I mean everywhere. Many places I’ve seen 2 or 3 of them on the same poles. When I’ve seen them, I’d been out shopping with family or on the go and didn’t have my film camera at the ready. So this past Sunday I had a photoshoot that morning and I planned to go hunting some of these signs down afterwards.

Needless to say I was driving to my shoot and lo and behold I came across this beauty. I made a U-Turn and stopped my car in a driveway so I could hop out and take this photo. What I love about it is it could be taken a couple of ways. You could say “Obama is coming. Repent” as if saying that with the idea that Trump may try to run for a third term, Obama could be cleared to run for a third term. The other way, and the way I like to read this is “Hope is Coming-Repent.”

What is hope? It’s different for different people. For a lot of people in these uncertain times, hope is all we have. I just wanted to share this find with you guys. I hope you guys find it as thought provoking as I do.

Ricky

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.

Ricky Davis 11/11/25 Ricky Davis 11/11/25

Happy Veterans Day - A Small Town in Georgia Honors it's Vets - Ringgold, GA

Catoosa County Courthouse decorated for Veterans Day - Photographed on Kodak Tri X Film by Ricky Davis of TRD Photography

Scenes from the South - Veterans Day Edition from Ringgold, GA.

Several years ago my wife and I happened to be driving through Ringgold, Georgia one Friday afternoon. The roads were lined with white crosses and American flags. At first I didn’t realize that Veterans Day was coming up. As we drove further through downtown Ringgold, more and more flags decorated the streets, each cross with a name. The county courthouse lawn absolutely covered in flags and crosses.

The next morning I came back with my camera to try and photograph them. The lighting was horrid. Harsh sunlight and not a cloud in the sky. For my style of photography, it just didn’t work. I’ve tried the past several years with my digital camera and each time I’ve been unhappy with the lighting and colors. This year though, I lucked out knowing that Saturday morning was going to be super foggy. I left before sunrise (I live an hour away) and I took my film camera to photograph on black and white film instead of in color.

Ringgold is a beautiful little small town in North Georgia and I love seeing the honoring of our veterans in this way. If you have the opportunity to check it out, I highly recommend it. In this time in our country’s history, it’s important to remember the men and women who have served to help preserve democracy and our freedoms.

Ringgold, Georgia decorated for Veterans Day - Photographed on Kodak Tri X Film by Ricky Davis of TRD Photography

Ricky Davis 11/10/25 Ricky Davis 11/10/25

Scenes from the South - James County Antique Police Car (Outside of The Whistlestop)

James County Police Car outside of Whistlestop in Ooltewah, TN - Photographed on Kodak Tri X Film by Ricky Davis of TRD Photography

Scenes from the South - 11/10/25

This past Friday night we had some storms come in through the middle of the night and I had seen that it was supposed to be extremely foggy on Saturday morning. I had a set destination that I wanted to photograph in the fog, so I got my camera bag and headed out before daylight because I knew in the past few years when I’d tried to capture it early morning, the lighting has been rough. More on that in the post tomorrow though.

On my way back from photographing that though, I was driving through Ooltewah, TN. I’d been eyeballing this old police car with the James County lettering on it for years. I’ve always pictured photographing it on a foggy morning as it’s outside The Whistlestop there in Ooltewah. When I got back to Ooltewah from my first destination, there was still a good bit of fog around. So I drove over on Main St and snapped a few photos. I got several shots that I really like, but this one is one of my favorites. So I just wanted to share this one with you guys today.

Ricky Davis 11/9/25 Ricky Davis 11/9/25

A Glance at Historic Rickwood Field in Birmingham

Historic Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama. Photographed by Ricky Davis of TRD Photography

A Glance at Historic Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama…

I wanted to take a moment and offer a glance at a recent visit that I took to Rickwood Field, which happens to be the oldest standing ballpark in America. It’s located in Birmingham, Alabama and was built in 1910. It has been utilized as a field for the minor leagues, the negro leagues, and last year even Major League Baseball used it for the East-West Classic between the San Francisco Giants and the St. Lous Cardinals. Over 200 baseball Hall of Famers have played games at Rickwood Field.

Now I’m only offering a glance in this blog because the day I went the field was closed for tours. It wasn’t my primary destination but since it was so close, I had to stop by and take a few photos from outside the stadium. I look forward to making a trip down so I can see the historic park inside as well. I cannot wait to take that trip! I love baseball history so much and cannot wait to get to actually be in a park where Satchel Paige, Cool Papa Bell, Willie Mays, and so many others have stepped foot on the field.

For now, here are a few photos that I took that day.

Ricky Davis 9/9/25 Ricky Davis 9/9/25

Mickey's Dining Car - St Paul - Documenting America with TRD Photography

Mickeys Dining Car - St Paul, Minnesota - Kodak Tri X Film - Documenting America with TRD Photography

About a month or so ago now, I visited Minnesota for a long weekend. My wife was on a work trip, and as I’ve mentioned before, she is a huge Peanuts fan. (Peanuts being the comic strip by Charles Schulz) Charles Schulz grew up in the St Paul, Minnesota area before moving to California, so St Paul and Minneapolis have a ton of Peanuts Statues all over.

Long story short, as I was driving her around looking for the statues we came across Mickey’s Dining Car. I wasn’t out looking much for places for me to photograph because I was focusing on my wife’s love of Peanuts that weekend, but we couldn’t pass up checking Mickey’s out. We had already eaten lunch, but we had to go in and we were not disappointed!

The atmosphere here was just amazing. It was like stepping back in time. I grew up loving the 50’s and 60’s music and aesthetic, and this was just making me happy. We sat down in a corner booth and were looking over the menu. We were still stuffed from lunch, but we grabbed a milkshake and fries. The service was terrific! As we were waiting on our food, I looked around and started taking a few photos.

After getting back and looking up some info on Mickey’s Dining Car, I discovered it was actually used in the first and third Mighty Ducks Movie. I knew they were based in the St Paul/Minneapolis area, but I just thought that was awesome as The Mighty Ducks movies were childhood favorites of mine! It also was featured in Jingle All the Way.

If you’re ever in the area, I highly encourage you to stop and check it out. We are sadly losing more and more of these types of establishments and they need all the support we can give.

Ricky

Ricky Davis 9/7/25 Ricky Davis 9/7/25

Cades Cove Missionary Baptist Church - Documenting America with TRD Photography

Cades Cove Missionary Baptist Church - Great Smoky Mountains National Park - Kodak Tri X Film - Documenting America with TRD Photography

I grew up visiting Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains in the 1980’s and 1990’s. I have so many fond memories of camping in the campground and then either biking the cove or riding in the back of my dad’s small Nissan pickup. Of course as a kid you were excited about the deer, and ever hopeful of seeing a bear, but I also loved seeing the old cabins and churches along the loop trail.

I always love the Missionary Baptist Church, I honestly don’t remember why I was drawn to it. I think that back then it may have been that it was the third one on the loop road and may not have been as busy as the first two! Whatever it was I still love it to this day.

Recently I made a trip to the Cove to photograph with some film. I don’t go into Cades Cove hardly anymore because it’s so busy. I honestly prefer to explore areas that are less crowded and popular, but I really wanted to photograph some of the churches on film. It wasn’t as busy as usual, but by the time I hit the midway section of the loop, traffic was backed up to the exit. I didn’t stop at anymore spots because I had another appointment to get to.

If you don’t care about traffic or time, it’s definitely a nice drive, but in the Smokies there are some places that you may find a little less crowded like the Historic Nature Motor Trail in Gatlinburg, TN.