1600 Pennsylvania Ave, Lorain, Ohio

I really like this one from my first visit. It was a soft rainy morning in April and the picture really worked. I think this one works too. I waited for a while, but the shadow wasn’t moving much. I didn’t wait until the shadow was totally gone, it would have taken hours and b that time the light would be pretty harsh, but I guess the way it throws off the composition a bit. Just about every 1600 picture on this trip has been taken early morning or late evening, classic times for photography since the light is so nice. This one though, I don’t know, I sort of prefer the first picture, the softer, open light, than this crisp morning light, but we’ll see once the film comes back.

I was talking to a good friend tonight about the light in this project. I think when you’re doing a series of pictures like this, similar subject over a long period of time, you either have o go with all the same light or a variety to keep the body of work diverse. I’ve obviously gone for the latter.

C-Roll

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.

1600 Pennsylvania Ave, Newton Falls, Ohio

This one is soo close. If it weren’t for that tree, I think this could a perfect composition. I struggled with the frame the first time I was here using the square frame and I did again with the 4x5. I love the 1600 address spelled out, Sixteen Hundred (it’s hard to see on the Polaroid), really great. But with that tree in the middle of the yard, I had to move to right or the left to have it in the frame and I think both compositions are a little awkward. The one without the flag looks a little better to me since the eye can assume the house ends just behind the tree, whereas the one with the flag, the eye knows the house continues on, but just can’t see it.

View from the room

Timberlanes Motor Inn, Salem, Ohio

1600 S Pennsylvania Ave, Lansing, MI

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.

1600 Pennsylvania St, Gary, Indiana

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.

View from the room

Days Inn, Amherst, Ohio

View from the room

Econo Lodge, Lansing, Michigan

Catching up

It’s been a few days without blogging, my bad. A lot of driving and I spent a night with my friend/art patron Chris in Chicago. It was a great little respite from the day-to-day traveling in solitude.

1600 Pennsylvania Ave S, St Louis Park, MN

A lot of the houses sort of look the same, right? I still don’t like cars in the picture, but they do sort of give it a Stephen Shore thing. Maybe these will look extra interesting in 20 years.Chris likes the aspect of knowing whether or not the homeowner is in there, like staring into the windows of the white house, trying to catch a glimpse of the president.

This is the last one of the 1600’s I haven’t been to yet. It’s a little sad as I feel the trip has taken a turn towards the end. I still have to re-do all the other ones, but the excitement of the unknown just won’t be there. I can go after them in a much more calculated way, which will mean faster work, but less excitement.

Iowa moonrise

View from the room

Super 8 Motel, Golden Valley, MN