“Show me a man with a tattoo and I'll show you a man with an interesting past.”

 Jack London

If it moves, I generally don’t photograph it. I’m much more comfortable and interested in landscape and architecture. But it’s good to get out of your comfort zone occasionally.

So, what’s a better challenge for a nature photographer than attending a tattoo festival?

Last Saturday I drove to the Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois to see and photograph the Villain Arts Tattoo Convention. I certainly got my $20 dollars’ worth!

The convention featured 400 of the World’s Best Tattoo Artists. They were tattooing live, sometimes working two days to complete a complex design. And the sideshow acts featured live human suspension, burlesque and more!

In case you’re wondering, I only came home with photographs. The artists and tattooed attendees were all happy to be photographed and chat about their works of art.

Instead of writing more, I’ll let the photographs tell the story!

Part 2 is next week.

Thanks for looking,

Chuck

https://cderus.zenfolio.com/