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Local Photographer Lonnie Webster Focuses on Finding Unique Frame at Democratic Convention in Charlotte

Photo by Lonnie Webster

By Jesse Wood

Sept. 4, 2012. Local photographer and freelancer for the High Country Press, Lonnie Webster arrived at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte on Sunday.

A devout Democrat, Webster of Blowing Rock is excited to be attending the Democratic National Convention for the first time in his life, and he said it’s been a challenge – as a photographer with thousands of his fellow colleagues in town with their cameras angled at every conceivable vantage point – to find that unique frame.

Talking with him on Tuesday morning, Webster was standing outside an old church with exquisite architecture that had been refurbished into a bar. An Obama banner attached to a tent setup was adjacent to the bar with a sculpture of  a “big blue moon” that featured on the corner of the building.

He was trying to capture that perfect frame – one that no one else would think to photo.

“As a photographer it’s a challenge trying to figure out where’s a different angle on this from what 3,000 other photographers are going to see,” Webster said. “It’s exciting. In some ways, it’s surreal in that you have barricades up and a huge percentage of people have a camera.”

Since he arrived at the convention before it officially began, he has covered some of the protesters – both conservative and liberal – and he shot the CarolinaFest on Labor Day.  

With the convention officially starting today, Webster said he would be shooting the more “official” stuff today, such as the keynote speakers and what not. But for Webster, that isn’t where the meat of the story exists.

“The bigger story is on the street,” Webster said.  

High Country Press has only received Webster’s first batch of about a dozen photos. As he sends us more, we will post them.

Boone Mayor Loretta Clawson and Watauga County Democratic Party Chair Diane Tilson in Charlotte on Monday. Photo by Lonnie Webster

Photo by Lonnie Webster

Photo by Lonnie Webster

Gov. Bev Perdue speaks to MSNBC on Monday. Photo by Lonnie Webster

Photo by Lonnie Webster

Andy Ball in Charlotte. Photo by Lonnie Webster

Photo by Lonnie Webster
Photo by Lonnie Webster
Photo by Lonnie Webster

Photo by Lonnie Webster