Hansi Johnson, untitled

Somehow this seems both an apt and inapt way to close my editorship of this feature. There are plenty of sites to pore over images of our region’s abundant natural beauty, but few that foreground the real people who live, work, and play here. That was my fundamental ambition; to recognize the vast human capital here, to weekly call for snapshots, pictures of domestic ordinariness, matters not needlessly prettified. Reality, even when it’s harsh is sufficiently beautiful to me.

My arrival here has been lovely, terrible, heartbreaking, and ecstatic. I will always be grateful to Paul for letting me immerse myself in this vibrant community, to vent some (sometimes too) personal musings, and to foreground your wonderful images. Thank you for all of your avid participation in this virtual meeting place, and I’ve no doubt we’ll find another unexpected, unconventional venue to share stories again — my own, and yours. T.W. 4.7.2016

Selective Focus will still be appearing on Fridays, but rather than asking for submissions on a theme, PDD invites you to check out the new direction next week.

Hansi Johnson, untitled

Hansi Johnson, untitled

Hansi Johnson, untitled

Tim White, untitled

Emily Rose, untitled

Emily Rose, untitled

Ryan Zimny, untitled

Ryan Zimny, “Lower St. Louis”

Ryan Zimny, “Dam It”

Bryan French, untitled

Bryan French, untitled

Bryan French, untitled

Sharon Rogers, “Bells & Whistles for Bears”

Sharon Rogers, “Benched in the Woods”

Sharon Rogers, “”Rest on SMH Trail Near St Louis River Scenic Overlook”