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Proof: The Byrd Williams Family Photography Archive: Byrd Williams IV (1951-)

The fourth generation of photography shows the development from commercial and business photography into fine art through the work of Byrd Williams IV. Byrd is a Collin College professor who eventually sold the family business. Byrd went to graduate school at SMU while still working at Byrd Photo Service. While at SMU, Byrd Williams had contact with artists and photographers, such as Richard Avedon and Robert Rauschenberg. Like his father, Byrd also studied fine art photography. His own style is informed from the history of photography as well as his interest in urban development and posterity. From early on, Williams showed a knack for creative photography, getting his first camera from his father prior to his teen years. Byrd’s subject matter includes street scenes, buildings, portraits, and in the 1980s, he photographed televangelists, such as Jimmy Swaggart.

An old building, the brick showing throughout. It has a shadow on it of another building with a pointed tower.
Black and white photo of a plastic leg on brick wall.
Black and white of a stairwell. The walls are white and the stairs are black.
Black and white photo of a white farmhouse next to a tree, the trees shadow seen on the side of the building.
Black and white photo of two hills and a cloudy sky.
Black and white photo of a concrete corner by a building.
Black and white photo of skycrapers, a street in between them and cars in a parking lot by it.
Black and white photo of a huge walkway, a star in a circle painted on it.
Photo of a street, the left side showing a shop with a sign that says Peters Bros. Other shops and buildings are around it.
Photo from the view of the top of building. Seen are buildings of a city in the distance.
Photo of a doorway by a brick wall.
Photo of a big white building, a bare tree in front of it and a fence around the tree.
Two of the exact same photos, the one on the left in black and white, and the one on the right in color. The photo shows a building with several stories.
Shot of a piece of black bamboo is seen, surrounded by different leaves.
Photo of a room with a few chairs, a door propped up against the wall and fan on the side. There are two long windows on the wall, close to each other.
A platinum pot with a clock next to it. Other kitchen appliances and products are around it.
Photo of a man in an unbuttoned polo shirt and a moustache. His arms are across each other.
An old man is inside a room with a shelf of cereal boxes and a sink. The man wears a white apron.
Old man in a white apron stands in front of a long table with jars on it. There are other tables and shelves behind him.
A young woman in a small black dress poses by a blank wall. Her right arm is up, her left arm touching the elbow.
A young boy sitting on top of the entrance to a crypt, an older man standing next to it. There are bare trees in the background.
A man in a white shirt, jeans and with a beard stands by the front door of a shop. On the door are the words Fort Worth Piano Restoration.
Photo of a man in a hat, a young boy sitting on him on the couch. They are sitting in a room with draped windows, a shelf with a mirror in the room and a plant in a vase.
Photo of a woman with short curly hair, hand on her neck and wearing a white shirt.
A woman with the top of her hair pulled back, wearing a slightly unbuttoned white shirt.
Three people posing for a photo. On the left a man stands with a rifle propped on the floor, a helmet in his arm and straps on his shoulders. In the middle is young man with suspenders and cap, sitting on a chair. On the right is a woman in longsleeves and a skirt.
A man in a white shirt and striped tie holds a pen and sits at a desk. Behind are several framed certificates on the wall.
A man with blonde hair and glasses leans against a white wall by a brick building, wearing jeans, a plaid shirt and a jacket.
Old man wearing glasses, standing a closed white doorway, surrounded by several bookshelves.
Man in a white shirt and jeans poses with his hands in his front pockets.
A young woman in a white striped shirt sits on a chair outside, leaning backwards with her eyes closed.
Bald old man in a white shirt and suspenders, looking down and sitting in a chair. Behind him on the left side of the photo is an old woman with an apron on, sitting on a chair against the wall of a house.
A young woman with short blonde hair and bangs, a cross necklace around her neck. She wears a dark cardigan and a white shirt.
Man sits on a chair, a messy desk beside him. To his left iis a doorway, and a fireplace with two framed photos above it.
An older man with a moustache leans against the back of a chair, wearing a jacket with his arms over each other. He wears a white hat.
A portrait of three pictures side by side each other. Each is of the same woman with short slick hair, wearing a black leather jacket. In the left panel the woman looks towards the camera. The middle she is looking sideways, and on the right her eyes are closed.
An African American Man in a white striped shirt and dark pants. He wears glasses, and has his arms crossed over each other.
Man with a beard wears atheletic shoes, jeans and a black shirt. He sits at a chair facing a window. Black and white.
Man with a beard wears atheletic shoes, jeans and a black shirt. He sits at a chair facing a window. Sepia tone.
Black advertisement. The top of it is a black and white photo. Under it is the title in big white letters.
Black and white photo of the entrance to a church courtyard, five different entry ways side by side each other.
Black and white photo from a rooftop. It overlooks several other rooftops of buildings downtown.
Photo of a church courtyard with brick walls. A tree trunk can be seen on the left side of the photo.
Black and white photo of a power plant, four white towers in the air. It is seen from a distance.
A photo of a rainy day in a city. There is one building on the left and a bigger building on the right. In the middle of the photo is a black lamp post, the word Haltom's on it.
Black and white photo from the top of an old building, looking at the side of a shiny skyscraper.
Black and white photo on a white page. The photo is an angle shot from a bridge, looking into the outline of a city.
A man uses a camera on a tripod. His head is covered by a white cloth.
Black and silver camera, the black part a leathery texture. It has a black strap attached to it.
View of an intersection in between buildings.
A man wears a black suit and tie, sitting at a chair against a wall. He is in an open room, the left side of the photo has a table covered in a tablecloth with a plant on it.
Old and black Kodak monitor camera, the middle of it extended out longways.
Black and white photo of an open lobby, tall posts seen in the back. The floor is shiny and has thick lined design on it.
Photo of a thin corridor. On the right is part of a curved hallway.
Black and white photo of a curved corner on the left, a white design and the outside seen on the right side of the photo.
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