Thanks everyone for reading and commenting. I'll still keep this blog up and running and use it to update the rest of the 1600 and future projects. I have a couple of ideas in the works that are much closer to home.
The last one of the trip. Like these last several, it was a return visit and not quite as exciting, but good to photograph it none the less. This is probably the busiest of the 1600's. It's a paper plant and takes up several blocks, but the view from the street is somewhat limited. I really liked this composition from before and I think it looks great in color.
Wow, what a difference 12 miles make. After my experience with the woman in West Mifflin, I was a little rattled as I arrived to the house in Irwin. After 5 weeks on the road I’m tired and another encounter like the one earlier in the day would have just sent me packing. Talk about a 180. After setting up, the homeowner came out an introduced himself and we chatted for a bit. He was interested in the project and my trip, which was a huge relief. Then after about 25 minutes he came back out and handed me a small pamphlet out Jesus and a $20 bill insisting I take it to help me out with gas or food. I repeatedly tried to give it back, but at some point you have to simply accept a stranger’s generosity. I gave him a Polaroid and thanked him. Two houses in two days and two very different experiences.
Econo Lodge, Altoona, PA
This one is a lot busier than most. Due to the size of the building I had to back up half way down the street, but it's nice since you get the Pennsylvania Ave sign just above the stop sign. I would have liked to setup a bit more to the right, but as it was, the c-roll was parked about two feet off the curb and then I was setup to the right of the car. I can deal with it. This one shows much more atmosphere of the place as opposed to the tighter house pictures.
Yes. There’s the ride, that sweet purple/gray Toyota Corolla that’s been barreling across this great country. Those are bugs splattered across the bumper. Note how I turned the tires, real professional car photography style. Apparently my digital tripometer doesn’t go to five digits, so it now reads about 4 miles. That’s really 10,004 miles.
I think it was this picture from the first time around that really made feel like I was rushing this project. I was with Chris and we were headed to Milwaukee a Brewer's game and didn't have much time. I was there nice and early, but this huge tree was blocking the sun and would be for at least 45 minutes, 45 minutes we didn't have. So I settled for what I had and we were off, but I didn't feel good about it. I feel redeemed now and the earlier experience came in handy. I was basically setup in the left turning lane, car and all since being there under a dark cloth was making me feel a little vulnerable. I purposefully photographed on a Sunday, figuring things would be quiet on a rather busy road. Things went smoothly. Thick clouds rolled in and gave me a scare, but they moved on and I had pleasant light to work with. Spoke to the homeowner for a while, who had an interesting story that might make into some sort of extended caption if I ever publish/show this work. Seems like a lot of the 1600's are dominated by tree cover.
So this is the first one I've returned to. This came out better than before, although when I there in June there was great "Bingo" sign stuffed into the grate in front of the door. I was gently warned by the bar owner where I was setup to watch myself once it got dark, then his buddy told me the same thing. I think I might have packed it up a little early, but I didn't dare ignore some friendly local advice for an out of towner like me.
Well, obviously the Polaroid didn't quite come out, but you get the idea. I was frustrated by this one. I think it was due in part to the overwhelming feeling of having a bunch of addresses added to my project. I drove past this house a ton of times and the light was never right, but even if it was, I just wasn't feeling it. I couldn't see the picture. The main side faces north, so on Saturday night I drove back, but just as I got there, so did the clouds. Thick, Rocky Mountain clouds. do I stay another night? Another day waiting to make a picture I really wasn't feeling inspired for at all?
This was a little bit of a disappointment. That car just wasn't moving and I battled, almost literally, with the cars on the other side of the street. Cars just kill pictures like this for me. Maybe they'll look good in 2o years, but today, not so much. I stayed until the light was gone and the car was there. Drove past it this morning and it was gone, but replaced by two more. There's another 1600 her in Denver, S. Pennsylvania St and it looks OK. Site on the corner, the door faces north, but the address faces west. I'm just not feeling either one to be honest. Not sure if it's because they were added on after the fact and now I'm a little worried about the length of this trip, or if it's I'm getting a little road weary. For example, when I check-out, I have a hard time remembering which room I'm in, a side affect of three weeks in and out of motels.
I wonder what Bliss, Idaho looks like. Potatos of all kinds perhaps.
This is sand in the beaufitul deserts of Nevada.
I think this came out nice. I got there pretty early as the light was a little iffy and I wasn't sure if it was going to happen. I setup and there were two cars parked in front, which would have been OK, but I also knew I'd probably have to come back the next day and see if the street was clear. And then like magic, a construction truck pulled up to the house next door and 4 guys piled out and into the cars blocking my house. Beautiful. I then spent the next hour pleading with people not to park in front and everyone was very kind about it. The light never got perfect, but the house faces north, maybe a little northeast so the setting sun just barely hit the front of the house. I think it works though.
Posts
All Comments
