Vision Beyond The Lens by -J.J. McQueen-

This past Thanksgiving holiday I took my annual family trip to my home town, High Point, North Carolina. As usual it was an action packed week of good eats and life lessons. Earlier this year I decided that with each visit home that I would film and/or photograph High Point the way that I see it. Seeing a place that you've known and loved your entire life thru the lens of a camera is totally different than seeing it day to day. Knowing the cracks of the pavement without looking down, or knowing position of the sun with each season that passes and telling time by it with no watch. All of the above move me when I think about home. So on the last day of my trip I started walking and I realized what I should have a long time ago, "There's Something in the Water". The untold stories and secrets of the photos below help reveal the untapped heritage of the black and white divisions and decisions of High Point. For example, I walked up Washington Street and a guy...

I promised myself years ago that I wouldn't compromise the art of what I do and who I am for the sake of public opinion. I'm learning the deeper that I dig into my craft to hold onto those values. When I was a Junior in college I remember reading an article somewhere, and it made reference to a period photograph by the late Gordon parks. It spoke to the time that past in between some of his most influential photos. I believe just like life, each image has a lesson or meaning behind it, and with each passing year those lessons move me in some form or fashion. The photo above is no exception to that theory. Now that we're closing out another successful year, I've started to do some film review. I've tried to ignore the photo above on many occasions. Some would ask, why? It's simple. The photo above is entitled, Freedom Song. Mainly for obvious reasons, but more importantly for the not so obvious reasons. Here is what I hear when I see this image. I'...

As we move into a new season of celebrations, I felt like this blog would be fitting. I often reflect on each quarter of the year that passes, and in this moment of reflection, I can't go any further without paying homage to one of the most dedicated young people on my staff. I just read an article that highlighted today's young people as bad apples. One segment of it compared them to seedless grapes. Fortunately for me, that article doesn't hold water in comparison to my young staff members. Society has created this negative stigma that we, "meaning people", don't support young people until or unless they're down and out. So this evening I decided to reach back a few months and support one my own young people. A few months ago Ariel one of our interns invited myself and a few members of our team to see her off to the senior prom. It was a typical busy weekend for me, but I knew it was an event that I couldn't miss. I'm glad that I didn...

Wow, what a weekend! ECU has never let me down when it comes to creating and reflecting on monumental moments. This past weekend was no different. From B. Paiz's hilarious flashback moment at the Chop House to the "Hot Mess Dressed Girls" at the social functions. Let's not forget the die hard Pirate fans who painted themselves with household paint and passed out from 10 times the normal limit of liquor consumption. Classic ECU you've gotta love it! Now you all know that I couldn't leave you with that blanket commentary without giving you my homecoming drill list. My disclaimer as a journalist the below is all true. Drill # 1 i'm sure you've all noticed by now that you have at least 10 new FB friend request since Saturday. i bet you only remember 3 of them. if we weren't cool in the 90's are we really gonna be FB friends in the 2000's? just food for thought. Drill # 2 if you didn't speak to me 10 years ago and you know that you ...

Recently, I posted on my facebook status that I fell like I should have been around in the 60's because I've got a ton of fight in me to be something great! Little did I know the 60's lived on my block. A few days ago I was walking my daughters home from school and my 7 year old said, "daddy look, that looks like the men in the black history books". I immediately asked her what she was talking about. Then she pointed at the image below. I had to hit the instant replay button on the remote in my head. For those that don't know, I grew up in the south so you can only imagine the levity of the observation after I made eye contact with what she was referring to. Unknowingly, I immediately felt the residual emotional effects of the stories of my great-grandparents, grandparents and parents. Part of me wanted to cut it down and part of me wanted to teach my daughters a history lesson. It was one of those times in life where I was so in shock that did none o...

I went on my daily 3 mile run and close to the halfway mark of the second mile I realized that I was approaching video shoot 1,ooo this week. For some in my field they would say that's not a lot. I would have to agree. However when you consider the quality, effort and detail that each shoot requires it seems like 5 million. The amazing thing is I've been blessed to have almost everyone of you reading this to share it with.

In ten years I've never questioned my purpose beyond the gridiron. However, on this day I wondered why I was called to see the things that I see. Not that I mind having a unique gift and job, but sometimes the intensity of some images can be overwhelming. Nevertheless, like a college classmate told me, "J.J. somebody has to do it and it might as well be you". Another former classmate said, "I want to see the world the way that I see it". Those were two of the highest compliments to date in my young career. Over the past three years I've dedicated a few weeks of photography to the homeless. The formal name for the series is, "100 Degrees and Homeless". I felt like the subtitle to this shoot should be, "The point of it all". It came to mind when I took the first shot. In the first image below I titled it, Mr. Steel. I have no idea if the gentleman below ever knew if I was there. What I do know is that he's a tough man. It was...

The "Money Shot". It's not the type of shot where you look to get paid. It's the one that tells the largest story with the least amount of words. Today as I drove through Pen Lucy park, I saw this homeless lady at the stop light. I've driven through here daily for years and today was the first time I'd ever seen this lady. She was as worn as the soles of her shoes. She appeared to have the conscious mind of a 6 year old child. I only had about 20 seconds to capture the moment. It tends to be that way driving through the district where most of the show " The Wire " was filmed. Needless to say I was able to salvage what I referred to above as, " The Money Shot". After countless hours of studying the late great visual artist, Gordon Parks life stills, I've come to the conclusion that life stills are and should be timeless. They hold the frailties of life tight enough to crush them and soft enough to doctor them back to maximum h...

I'm fresh off of vacation and I've had about 7 days to regroup and reflect. One of the things that I sat down and thought about this week was the journey of my career. Most people in the TV, Photography, and Film can tell you verbatim how and where it all started. So can I. The difference between most peoples stories and mine is; I had no idea that I had the gift to see and do the things that I do. The only blueprint for me was to get an education. I figured after my football days were over I'd be a P.E. teacher. Instead I became a director, producer and teacher. I recently signed on as the media director for the Lamp of Victory Broadcast and little did I know that my journey would get more interesting. I just wanted to leave with you a little food for thought. The road that I've traveled may not work for you, but the effort that I put into it works just the same. Stay tuned for 100 degrees and homeless part III

In 1968, T.W. Andrews High School was born and so was the, "Drumline". It was comprised of a group of dedicated kids who loved the sound of music. Fast forward 25 plus years to the mid 90's, and the same traditions continued to bless even those that weren't musicians. Little did I know, but by default, I had learned the art of musicianship by watching those traditions in motion. Our drumline was the heartbeat of the community. When you heard Ray Epps, Tommy Simmons and what I like to call, "the pulse", it changed the rhythm of your days. After a long day at school and intense athletic practices; the drumline was the pick me up that most of us needed. Fast forward 15 more years to Baltimore. If someone would have predicted that I'd be afforded the "Drumline" experience all over again, I never would have believed them. At least until I met Mark and Tova Baker. In years past it would have been Mr. Tyson bringing out the best in my peers,...

Two weeks ago my friend Pete decided to take a road trip without me. If you're like me, you're probably thinking some friend right? I guess it goes to show you that like most friendships, we too were total opposites. In our teen years, Pete was always there for my major sports accomplishments. For example, when we went to team camp at High Point University he and I won the 2 on 2 competition for the first time, together. A few years later we won the North Carolina State 3-A Basketball Title, and in my sophomore year of college he was in the stands when I scored my first collegiate touchdown. He and our mutual friend Johnny were going nuts. I celebrated so hard that Lamont Burns had to slap me so that we could kick the extra point. Pete was like a little brother to me. So like any other sibling relationship, I would have never told him that he was my motivation for my many athletic accomplishments. It's a part of the unspoken sibling code, worry your brothers, sis...

My friend "Pete" coming soon.

There was no way that I could let this week go by without paying homage to one of the most influential men in American history, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The opportunities that I've been afforded are due to the blood that he and others shed for me. That statement has never been more obvious to me than it was this past week. There I sat on the campus of a historically white Catholic university, and the keynote speaker for the evening was Afro-American. Not only was he Afro-American, he's a man who's work I admire, respect and study. Spike Lee. Spike Lee is a director, producer, author and advocate for Afro-American justice. You may be familiar with some of his films like, Do The Right Thing, She's gotta have it, Bamboozled, and School Daze, to name a few. When meeting someone that has accomplished what Spike has, it can be a bit overwhelming if you think about it to hard. Fortunately, that's not how the evening flowed. He stayed true to the theme of the nigh...

The title Speed Zone sounds a little generic right? I thought so too, but continue reading; it has a great deal of depth. As a freelance journalist the world of stories seems infinite at times. Some larger than others, but none more important than the other. When I was approached about "Speed Zone", I knew it would be a challenging subject, mainly because it addresses children and their safety. During my travels to and from the city, I notice tons of things that I would love to change provided the opportunity. As of lately, it's been the speed of rushing parents in school zones. So when I was presented with the opportunity of capturing images on the subject, I couldn't turn it down. However with each great project there has to be a challenge. In one area that I covered, a parent called the school and said it was a strange man taking photographs. I found that one amusing, because I was wearing my press I.D. in plain view of anyone who had questions. That same pa...

We're eleven days into the new year and I've checked off two of my goals for the new year. The photo below is the first one on the list. I've decided as my career grows, so should my involvement with the community. So this year I'm stepping deeper into my role as a producer. In my profile I touch on impacting the masses with pictures and sound. 2009 taught me that just because you're making an impact, doesn't quite mean you're making a difference. With that being said, I've moved on the opportunity of a lifetime. I've been selected and accepted the role of Director of Video Production for The Lamp of Victory Broadcast team. The door that's been opened has offered me the opportunity to lead a group of dedicated men and women to place unfamiliar in Christian television. I get to experience what few will in this business, fulfillment. My second goal is to see my team get nominated for an Emmy Award, for the best new emerging Christian broadc...