After an insane whirlwind of illness, earlier this September, I lost my stepdad. While I’m finding my footing, some of my talented friends and peers are stepping in to put together some Treehouse-esque posts for you all. Big hugs and thank you to this incredible community during my weird, sludgy time.
This week, Garrett Colton steps to the plate. I’ve known Garrett for a very long time (we are old?) and he’s become one of my favorite people to collaborate with, whether it’s with vintage kids clothes, this article or… maybe something coming up real, real soon (stay tuned). 👀 Garrett authors the sporadically-arriving, very, very delightful
newsletter, among an head-spinning amount of other things. Garrett—go for it, my bud!
I first came across Bill Yates’ work through a European book dealer’s email blast a couple of years ago. I couldn’t believe I had missed out on his out-of-print book (released in 2016).
The book is called Sweetheart Roller Skating Rink and I still kick myself for missing out on it. It’s now a $400 book (worth it), but out of my budget. I had forgotten about it until Joseph Bellows did a show last year and I read a bit more on Bill. There was something about it that it said about living in North Florida. (I’m in Saint Augustine.)
I sent an email to Bill and he was kind enough to respond; it took a while for us to meet, but we finally connected a couple of months ago. I am in awe of him and his work and enthusiasm to share more.
I love anything that draws you into someone’s world.
I think that’s why Treehouse is so great. After getting my hands on the current zine, I immediately looked at houses in Maine, even though I’ve spent about 8 hours in the state and know nothing.
You readers know the world Zinzi has created is a special one because it’s authentic and interesting and totally in its own lane. It’s encouraging and it’s such a great thing to see all the talented people she not only knows, but is friends with, ping-ponging ideas off one another.
Back to Bill: I think that’s why I wanted to share this interview on Treehouse. Bill’s work does the same thing. It shows you the beauty of Florida, and a specific area of Florida, through a specific lens (literally).
Support Bill’s work and follow along his IG: @downsouthernroads
And buy the zine before it’s OOP and !
Thanks Bill and thanks Zinzi!
Garrett Colton: When did you realize you wanted to publish something based on your time at 3 Cent Farm?
Bill Yates: Almost immediately. It is the home of my publisher, and where we do my book editing. It’s a special place.
You know, sometimes you’re dropped into a place/landscape that has a look/feel of curiosity. And your eye says to brain, pay attention. The end result is not a formal bound book, but tabloid sized “zine.” A publication that is inexpensive and easily accessible.
GC: Was it challenging to edit down the years of shots taken down there ?
BY: Editing is my worst nightmare. I’m a prolific shooter. Eventually the work comes together, images working together to tell a story or evoke a sense of place. I think the reader will “get it.”
GC: We’ve had some conversations about your mindset and routine, in that you will just get in your car and drive.
BY: This conversation often comes up when mentoring other photographers. So here’s what I say to them: “Curiosity drives me, always has. It is the light and form in my periphery that commands my attention. U-turns and the occasional whiplash are the order of the day. I use whatever’s handy—a pinhole, a Diana, a Hasselblad SWC, a DSLR, or an iPhone—to document, to satisfy my visual curiosity, to see what it looks like photographically. Occasionally I get a ‘keeper.’ It is this constant activity that keeps my eye sharp and my mind wondering.”
GC: Do you think that being in the South and where you live is a bonus because of the different kinds of geography and scenery you can have? Florida is such a unique place and massive.
BY: The South is a gift, and I include Florida. It is vast in its societal/geographical/visual contradictions. Road-tripping through the region always presents the opportunity to take photographs. Florida, for instance: West Florida, the panhandle, is the “redneck riviera,” coastal Alabama; Northeast Florida still thinks its South Georgia; rural/agricultural Central Florida became “Disneyfied” in the mid 1970’s, a tourist heaven now; South Florida was once the land of the northern “snowbirds,” now it’s infused with international expatriates and rising waters due to climate change. The region offers vast opportunities for photographic greatness.
GC: With your 1970’s Sweetheart Roller Skating Rink series having such an immediate success after going viral so many years later, was that the fire starter to get more of your work out there to people?
BY: My work has always been a private endeavor. Success came early (‘70’s/my 20’s) and I wasn’t prepared nor wanted to deal with galleries or collectors. I photographed for peace of mind, my curiosity, not for an audience. After 30+ years of marriage, raising two extraordinary kids, nearly 50,000 negatives plus 700,O00 digital image files, in 2013 my kids confronted me over pizza and beer. “Dad! We need to talk about your photographic legacy.” That long, and sometimes emotional conversation got me moving. I’m now editing my entire archive of fifty plus years, while continuing to shoot landscape and documentary photographs.
CG: How can someone buy this zine? And can you talk about the details? Pages/pics/printing ?
BY: I have provided a link to a flip-book, so your readers can look for themselves. It’s 16 pages, tabloid sized, and nearly 60 photographs. I print in small batches, on demand. The cost is $30.00, shipping included, US only. Please send a request to purchase via my email below.
GC: What can we expect next from ya?
BY: We’ve completed editing a comprehensive book on the 1970’s Sweetheart project. It’s now in design with nearly 300 photographs, 2 essays, one by a leading PhD photographic historian, and the other by a PhD historian in Southern Studies. It will be published early in 2025. I’ll soon be starting the editing process for a retrospective book, a look at my 50+ years in photography.
To see the 3 Cent Farm Zine, and other work, I have provided a link to my Linktree to access my website, social media, etc.
