J.R. Ball's photostream

Photos of J.R. Ball (1)

J.R. Ball's favorite photos from other Flickr members (877)

Contacts (127)

Groups (5050)

Testimonials (9)

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  ronet says:

  "Jon gets right in there with his camera, close to his subject, no distractions. He makes it seem easy but let me tell you, this is pure skill in action.
  
  Whether it's a portrait of a friend, the best sushi bar in Austin, or an abandoned rural shack there's something personal in the way he relates to his subjects. You'll come across plenty of people who take photos on flickr, but it's the photographers like Jon - they're the special ones."

  8th July, 2009

• 

  CarloOG says:

  "J.R. Ball...where do I begin? I guess the best place is the beginning. I met Jon at a little waterin' hole called The Oasis, otherwise known as "The Dirty O" in San Antone. My girlfriend at the time was meeting some friends of hers and had asked me to come. I was always nervous to meet people through Tracie, and if you knew Tracie you'd understand, so I didn't know what to expect. Anyway, as fate would have it I can say Jon is the one great thing Tracie gave me. Turns out we had a class at University of Texas San Antonio together and it didn't take long for us to decide that Political Theory was nowhere near as much fun as drinking beer at another waterin' hole, Hills n' Dales. This place was the center of the universe according to sign of the roof. Before long we were jumping fences and hiding from the police, getting in and out of bar brawls and otherwise finding fun stuff to do like steal patio furniture from apartment complexes in order to spice up our own digs. Most importantly, Jon became my best friend, a title he still holds to this day. I remember the first pearl snap I gave him in trade for a Willie Nelson 3/4 sleeve, I taught him about Texas Country Music and he taught me about cars and Steve McQueen, and I also remember Jon searching for his artistic side as I struggled through the search to be a songwriter. This is when I first started seeing the incredible imagery he would capture with just simple point and shoot. On a last second trip to California, I saw even more talent come from the lens of Canon Rebel type camera (excuse my lack of terminology but I'm still learning). Some of those pictures I have displayed throughout my house as I write this. I guess what I'm getting at is that I am honored to have Jon as my best friend because his photography is only eclipsed by who he is...a Jack Daniels shootin', Lone Star Beer guzzlin', cowboy boot wearin' Texan (via New Jersey) with a heart as big as the Lone Star State itself. When I see his photographs, I'm right back home."

  6th July, 2009

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  e l e c t r o l i t e says:

  "Jon is a Texas storyteller. His images capture not only the aesthetic of the scene but the essence of a storyline as well. Compelling documents of Texas past and present."

  19th April, 2009

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  shiphome says:

  "Let me tell y'all a couple of things about my buddy JR...
  
  He once dropped Faron Young's name in a conversation we were having. I really shouldn't even need to say anything else.
  
  I still can't figure out if he is a country boy who knows how to shake up the big city... or a city slicker who is a kindred spirit with the rural countryside. I suspect that he is a bit of both.
  
  And when I look at his photos, I feel like I am driving the backroads..looking through the windshield and the rearview at the same time. Respect for our past, hope for our future.. his photography is the lost soul of America. And it is brilliant.
  
  He is class act with stories to tell... and you can be sure when he tells them, that he means every word. Because that is the kinda guy he is. JR is good people.
  
  Oh.. and if a bar fight ever breaks out, I hope he is on my side."

  7th April, 2009

• 

  Ron Layters says:

  "jrb is the only photographer I know that did not have to earn his spurs
  
  ...he was born wearing them...."

  12th February, 2009

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  Thorpeland says:

  "When speaking about creating a masterpiece, Pro photographer Ken Rockwell said, "Photos can't be passive. If someone sees your image and just wants to click NEXT> or see the next one, it doesn't count. Edit it out.
  Photos must engage the viewer. They have to stop the viewer dead in his tracks. Just being gross or shocking doesn't count; they have to grab his attention and take him away." Immediately JR came to mind. His photo's always stops me in my tracks and makes me say Wow. His work has inspired me to re-evaluate my Texas surroundings and see them in a different light."

  6th August, 2008

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  Ginkgo7 says:

  "As a long time contact of Jon's, I have been inspired by his ever growing talent as a photographer; a talent that has grown by leaps and bounds. His experimentation with different techniques has been fascinating to observe, and a learning experience for me. Jon is a warm, responsive soul with a delightful wit. I am fortunate to have discovered him and his work on Flickr."

  4th June, 2008

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  haeshu says:

  "I often tell strangers I am in no way related to Jon. They then ask me who is Jon? And I say he takes amazing pictures.
  
  Then I feel sad that we aren't related."

  26th March, 2008

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  rustyboy says:

  "He's introspective. And funny. A talented photographer and writer with a defined jawline. Remember this guy, so when he achieves the greatness that lies ahead for him, you can say, "That one dude on Flickr TOLD me he'd do it! I read it in a testimonial!""

  1st February, 2008

Joined:

August 2007

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J.R. Ball Photography