Tall Tails: How To Shoot an Allston Rat

Published Nov 06 2009, 06:04 AM by Carly Carioli

Soon after we decided to have Chris Faraone write about Boston's rat problem for this week's cover story, we realized that we would need a picture of some Boston rats. Sure, we could just have someone draw a rat, or dip into the vast depths of clip-art hell, but ultimately, we wanted to someone to snap a photo of a Boston rat in the wild.

There was only one man for the job.

Photographer DEREK KOUYOUMJIAN is the guy we call with the tough assignments. We sent him off. He came back with rat photos. And then we had to ask: Derek, how'd you shoot those rats?

The story was . . . well, it wouldn't make as much sense on the page as it would coming out of Derek's mouth, so we decided to let him tell you. Click below to listen to the story. "Let me just tell you," he begins, "Photographing rats is hell." He also says, "Rats are like cops: when you want one they're just not gonna be there."

LISTEN: Derek Kouyoumjian on How To Shoot An Allston Rat (mp3)

(Also, we promise: no more tail puns after this. Cross our hearts.)

Filed Under: Photography, Allston, Rats, Derek Kouyoumjian

Bald bears baffle Bavarians*

PODCAST: John Irving at the Coolidge [MP3]

Name (required)

Your URL (optional)

Comments (required)

Remember Me?

Follow the Boston Phoenix

All Blogs

Phlog (1,416)
Outside The Frame (303)
Dont Quote Me (516)
On The Download (2,157)
Talking Politics (1,518)
Laser Orgy (31)

Filed Under: Photography, Allston, Rats, Derek Kouyoumjian

Boston Phoenix
Tall Tails: How To Shoot an Allston Rat
Published 11/6/2009 by Carly Carioli
Soon after we decided to have Chris Faraone write about Boston's rat problem for this week's cover story, we realized that we would need a...

Boston Phoenix
PODCAST: Scout Tufankjian on Making History with Barack Obama; Ken Burns on the Art of Documentary
Published 11/4/2009 by Carly Carioli
VIDEO: Scout Tufankjian on Barack Obama's historic presidential campaignIt's been a year since that night in Chicago, which for photographer SCOUT TUFANKJIAN was the end...

more by Carly Carioli

Tall Tails: How To Shoot an Allston Rat | November 06, 2009

PODCAST: Scout Tufankjian on Making History with Barack Obama; Ken Burns on the Art of Documentary | November 04, 2009

ABC reveals the truth about universal health care: sinister plot hatched by space aliens! | November 03, 2009

PODCAST: David Gergen, Lani Guinier, Jack Beatty, and Michael E. Porter on Obama's First Year | November 03, 2009

PODCAST: The Wire's Kima, Bubbles, and Omar at Harvard | November 02, 2009

See all articles by: Carly Carioli

Latest Comments

Leonid meteor shower still visible tonight-tomorrow am - Was walking around Back Bay last night, around 6pm, and just happened to be looking up at the sky and...

By J on 11-22-2009 in Phlog

Coakley Strong, Capuano 2nd - Well, I'm out of town on 12/8 so I already voted for Martha absentee - that's one vote that won't be...

By Susan on 11-22-2009 in Talking Politics

The Globe, Scott Brown, and abortion - Was Chicago School Board President Michael Scott Snitching On Valarie Jarrett? Tuesday, November 17,...

By publius on 11-21-2009 in Dont Quote Me

Tisei, Gay, By The Way - Although it might be news to Boston news reporters who don't talk to Republicans, the Senator's orientation...

By Peter Porcupine on 11-21-2009 in Talking Politics

The Globe, Scott Brown, and abortion - Spilot, can you elaborate?

By Adam Reilly on 11-21-2009 in Dont Quote Me

Latest Comments from Phlog

Tall Tails: How To Shoot an Allston Rat

Leave a Comment