Was I There is a haunting 50-page black-and-white photo book that explores the unsettling moments of quiet within the urban chaos. Through a striking collection of images and reflective prose, Charles Ray Owen takes us on a journey through the often unnoticed, eerie silence of a city’s forgotten corners. The absence of noise, people, and life leaves a pervasive sense of isolation, stirring a deep question: Was I there before?

In the stillness of these once-bustling streets, Owen captures the subtle beauty and eerie tranquility that arise when the usual urban symphony fades away. Nature's resilience shines through, offering a glimpse of hope amidst the concrete landscape. The palm trees, flowers, and shrubs that thrive without care become symbols of life’s perseverance, a quiet reminder of beauty and continuity in even the most desolate places.

The book reflects on how moments, memories, and connections shape our existence, asking us to consider the deeper meaning behind the fleeting encounters and silent spaces we traverse. Through Owen’s lens, we are prompted to ask ourselves: Were we truly present in these moments? The photographs reveal not just the city, but also the vulnerability of human experience, emphasizing the value of stillness, connection, and reflection.

A meditation on time, memory, and presence, Was I There invites you to contemplate your own place in the world and the fleeting, yet profound, moments that define our lives.