aspherical.txt

adventures with s @dublin and toomsboro (nikon d70)

2011-10-11T16:40:00.000-07:00

Early in 2009, S and I headed down to Dublin, Georgia to see what we could find. Our first discovery was a dive bar, with the requisite faded working class beer advertisement painted on the exterior wall. The back of the building was in even worse shape, as evidenced by this photograph of a busted metal roof.

Next, we wandered behind an electronics repair shop, where I took this image of a television in an alley. Around this time, several suspicious persons standing around with no apparent purpose began taking an interest in our camera gear. With nothing left to photograph in Dublin, we decided it was an opportune time to leave.

S and I headed north and ended up in Toomsboro, Georgia. Although not completely abandoned, Toomsboro seems to be a ghost town for all practical purposes. I photographed this old gas pump at an abandoned station just south of Toomsboro. In downtown Toomsboro, I found this warning sign on an ancient gas pump.

After leaving Toomsboro, we headed north again. S and I found what appeared to be an abandoned old auto shop and stopped to take a few pictures. Several hundred yards behind the shop was a house with 1980s hair metal blasting into the countryside. We found this somewhat strange. As we finished shooting the shop, we were accosted by a large sketchy fellow who was obviously quite drunk. We carefully backed away, hopped in the car, and left.

kodachrome project @athens (fujica ax-5)

2011-01-31T16:36:00.000-08:00

Despite living in Atlanta for a decade, the only time I visited Athens was to catch a Starlight Mints show. So, on a sunny Saturday in November of 2009, I took a road trip to Athens with my Fujica AX-5 and a few rolls of Kodachrome.

Not knowing what to expect, I was surprised to find some rather fancy architecture in Athens. As shown in this photograph of the Fred Building, some structures had elaborate decorations and their names emblazoned on the front. Unfortunately some buildings are starting to fall into a state of disrepair, as shown in this picture of peeling paint on the College Square Offices building. To my delight, faded old signs abounded on the sides of buildings. This advertisement painted on a wall is one of my favorites.

adventures with s and d @providence canyon (fujica ax-5)

2011-01-23T16:35:00.000-08:00

A few years ago, I went camping with S and D at Providence Canyon in south Georgia. I hate camping, but adjacent to the trail along the top of the canyon are several rusted out decaying automobiles. The vehicles were part of a homestead before the area became a state park. A sign near the dilapidated hulks states that removing the cars would be detrimental to the ecosystem, as several creatures make their homes in the abandoned shells. However, I suspect the state is too cheap to do it. No matter, I enjoyed photographing them.

Along the canyon rim, we encountered the first of the cars. Most are still recognizable as automobiles, however ascertaining make and model is nearly impossible. One of my favorite shots is this rusted piece of a car. Despite the years and decay, some paint still remains, as evidenced in this picture of an abandoned vehicle. My favorite shot from the trip is this headlight assembly full of spider webs. Not everything is busted cars and rusted trucks, we also found an old graveyard where I took this photograph of a stone wall.

As an aside, Providence Canyon is not a 100 percent natural gorge. Poor farming methods caused the erosion that resulted in the canyon.

Erinn Interview (Urban Nation)

2010-12-08T20:31:00.000-08:00

I've been following Erinn's photoblog, Urban Nation, for at least three years, maybe even four. During that time, he's moved from Toronto to Ottawa and traveled to several foreign and exotic lands with his camera in hand. Learn more about the man pushing the shutter release in the following interview.

[Salvador forgot to write the introduction last night. The previous paragraph was added after the interview was originally posted - Ed.]

How did you first get into photography? Who gave you your first camera, or did you purchase it yourself? Was it film or digital?

Like most people, I had a crappy point and shoot that my parents gave me at some point in my teens. It never got a lot of use, however. My real entry into the world of photography was a gradual one. I decided when I was 28 that I wanted to go back to school to study urban planning. Several of my courses necessitated the use of a camera to photograph different building types and forms, so my mother, recognizing my state of wretched poverty, bought me a digital point and shoot. However, the focal length of the lens wasn't quite what I wanted for architecture, so I never shot as much as I would like. After a while, I was given my grandfather's old Pentax Spotmatic, which had a 28mm lens. I was then able to start shooting architecture more as I wanted and developed an interest in photography as an end unto itself.

You have quite the eclectic collection of camera gear. How does what you shoot influence the gear you take along? Do you start out with a specific vision and mind and take the gear to accomplish it, or do you pack your camera bag first and then see what you find?

I start with a vision and pick the gear to go with it. Gear is there to achieve your vision with. Although I have a lot of gear, I tend to use only a few cameras on any regular basis. I use my Pentax 6x7 mostly, because of the high resolution and the shift lens I have for it that gives me more flexibility for composition. When I travel, I use my Mamiya 645. It's a relatively compact medium format SLR that won't do permanent spinal damage if you try to carry it all day.

Other than that, I will sometimes use offbeat cameras like my Holga, or a pinhole to experiment and just have fun. Sometimes it's nice to shoot stuff that's not normally your main subject matter, or just grab a camera and go, to keep your eyes fresh.

On Urban Nation, you seem to favor black and white, please tell us what you like about monochrome.

There are a few reasons I like black and white. It became my film of choice when I started because I could buy a roll of 35mm AGFA APX400 for $2.50 after tax, as opposed to $4 and up for everything else. So essentially because I was/am cheap. I also like the control you can exert over the black and white process by using different developers, darkroom techniques, etcetera.

From an artistic perspective, my own tastes tend to run to black and white because I see it as a medium that puts more emphasis on strong composition and because it strips away a lot of distraction, forcing you to engage the subject matter, not the details of the subject matter.

What made you decide to start a photoblog? How long have you been photoblogging? What frustrates you most about photoblogging?

I've been photoblogging since 2006. I decided to photoblog because I felt I needed an outlet to share some of my ideas and my vision. When I started, I thought it would help me to improve simply by spending more time on my photography. What frustrates me the most about photoblogging now is the sense that if you're going to do it, you have to post 5 to 7 times a week, which sometimes leads to a focus on quantity over quality.

Do you try to stick to an overarching theme, or is your photoblog more of a visual journal?

It's a bit of both. My training as a planner and interest in cities tends to keep my focus largely on architecture and urban landscapes. That's not to say I don't get distracted and entertain other themes, so in that sense, it can also be a visual journal.

Do you enjoy the computer/technical aspect of photoblogging, or is it a source of irritation?

I'm neutral about it, for the most part. I suspect that sometimes it distracts me from learning about good technique to some extent.

What other internet related photography projects have you participated in?

Every now and then sites like the following have made use of my photos:

What is the best photograph you never took? What is the best photograph by another photographer you wish you had taken?

I'm going to have to say that the best photograph I never took was a shot of a canal in Venice. I did take a version of it with people in it that I found a bit distracting. If I had waited another couple of minutes, I would have had it, but alas, when you travel with other people, you sometimes can't afford to wait!

There are so many photographs by other people I wish were mine. This is one of them: Seattle Freeway by Michael Russo.

What is the most interesting story about one of your favorite photographs?

I feel slightly embarrassed to say that there aren't too many interesting stories to go with a lot of my photos. I tend to shoot on my own, and when there aren't too many people around, so the element of spontaneity is not often there.

I suppose what I sometimes find funny is that when I think of a picture like this one: City View is how many times I sometimes go back to try and get the light I want. Some people would just go with a digital camera and study the light for a few weeks, but no, I go and blast through a roll of film each time. I have another half-dozen versions of this shot, and this isn't even the one I like the most!

How much is your artistic vision influenced by what you do for a living?

I would say my profession (I'm an Urban Transportation Policy Advisor for the Canadian government) and my photography both came out of my love of cities. I would say they are different sides of the same coin.

When traveling, how much does the local environment influence your subject matter? Or do you have an idea of what you want to show (e.g. architecture, signs, urban form) and go looking for specific locations?

I tend to go with what's on offer when I travel, as my trips are not typically influenced by what I want to photograph, per se. That being said, I usually get a few ideas for what I might like to shoot when I'm reading up and planning for my vacations. The rest is the result of serendipity and what the local environment has on offer.

Enough about your photography, tell us a bit about yourself.

I'm a mild-mannered bureaucrat by day, and urban photographer by night. I live in Ottawa, Canada with my wife, and we're expecting our first child this spring. I'm also about to test my love of home renovations on an older home we've bought. I also love good movies, witty comedy, music, travel and good wine.

Favorite guilty pleasure?

Anything in a bottle that doesn't have pineapple.

What is your favorite thing to do when not photographing?

It varies. Lately, I’ve been quite content to read a lot of books. I'm working on one of Johnny Cash's autobiographies, a book about Charlie Chaplin, Che Guevara's Motorcycle Diaries and some home renovation guides. I've also been known to entertain myself with good food, good wine and company. Scrabble is also a part of my day.

Have you had any formal training in photography? If so, what did you find most useful? If not, what advice do you have for others making their own way?

Not directly. I have had a bit of formal training in print making, which has made me think more about lighting, framing and contrast than I used to. However, if you don't have the vision, it's not worth much. Training only helps you to focus your vision.

Do you enjoy the community aspect of photoblogging? Give a shout out to some of your favorite photobloggers and briefly tell us what you like most about their work (i.e. what keeps you coming back).

I do and I don't. I've met some absolutely wonderful photobloggers over the years, so from that aspect, how could I complain? However, I find that the bonds that can form over the months and years can obscure the artistic merits of blogging, at times. Looking at people's work every single day can breed complacency. Combine that with budding friendships, and I think it can make it harder to engage each other's work critically. I do still visit the blogs of a handful of people on a regular basis, even if I don't always leave comments. I'd say the people worth a shout out would be:

Justin Van Leeuwen, of JVL Photography
Salvador Diablo, of Aspherical
Otto Kitchens, of Otto K Photography
David Lindley, of Low Revolution

Actually, all of these photographers have varied styles. What keeps me coming back is the fact that they all have different takes on things, which I find refreshing. I try to balance the photography I look at between those who I can get technical inspiration from, and those who have a passion and unique outlook.

What's next for you and your photoblog? Can we expect more photographs from your travels, or more of Ottawa in the near future? More night and low light photography? Do you have any shows planned (group or solo)?

I'm hoping that early in the new year, my blog will have been redesigned and refocused. I'm moving away from the idea of a photoblog (although there will likely be some element of that on my site), and more towards a portfolio, or project-based site, where I may post less frequently, with a more of a focus on presenting my photos as a body of work.

I'm currently editing a series of shots taken in New York City this summer and will likely cull some of my best shots from the last 5 years to make galleries with. I'm sure there will be plenty more of Ottawa and more at night. The onset of winter may slow those down a bit.

I currently have no shows planned. I am in the process of trying to complete a series of photos so that in the next year or so, I can shop for my own exhibition, however.

personal kodachrome project

2010-12-01T20:33:00.000-08:00

About five years ago, a coworker mentioned he was taking photographs using a Pentax K1000 and Kodachrome film. I had assumed the legendary film had gone out of production years ago and had never shot any myself. So I picked up a few rolls to experiment with. I really liked the unique look of the film and it became a part of my regular kit.

Kodak announced in early 2010 they would not be producing any more Kodachrome and Dwayne's, the last remaining lab, set a deadline of December 30th, 2010 for processing. I stocked up on Kodachrome, ordering several rolls from B&H and more from Calumet when B&H ran out of stock.

Inspired by The Kodachrome Project, but constrained by having a day job, I decided to shoot as much of my Kodachrome supply as I could in different parts of the United States. Uncounted rolls, a pile of frequent flier miles, and a few road trips later, I ended up with around 300 final images. I managed to cover ten states, although I had shot Kodachrome in two or three of them prior to the announcement. The project results are posted under Kodachrome on Aspherical.

adventures with s and d @bessemer and birmingham (fujica ax-5)

2010-11-17T19:05:00.000-08:00

About a month after canceling our road trip to Birmingham and visiting south metro Atlanta, S and I recruited D and set off towards Birmingham. As we would be arriving around lunch time, our first priority was to locate some barbecue. I searched for the best barbecue in Birmingham and Bob Sykes Barbecue came up. It had several good reviews, so we exited the freeway in Bessemer and checked it out. The building was appropriately quirky and the parking lot was packed, so we stopped in and had a delicious lunch.

bessemer

After eating lunch, we decided to explore Bessemer before heading to Birmingham. The first interesting thing we came across was the abandoned Bessemer Battery, which appeared to have been a retail establishment.

We wandered around downtown, where I took a picture of the Bright Star Restaurant sign. I also took a photograph of the letter y.

After that, we drove over to the railroad tracks and discovered a vacant train depot. While the building appeared to be abandoned and had plenty of broken glass and other debris inside, there were some signs that a renovation was about to begin. Stacked against a column were several plates of glass with a recent receipt.

birmingham

Instead of the interstate, we took US 11 from Bessemer to Birmingham in hopes of finding something interesting to photograph along the way. We were sorely disappointed.

When we arrived at downtown Birmingham, we found a few things worth taking pictures of. I took this photograph of the Cabana Hotel sign. At the end of my last roll of film, I took a picture of this puddle in a parking lot that clearly has a few maintenance issues.

adventures with s @south metro atlanta (fujica ax-5)

2010-11-10T22:30:00.000-08:00

A month or so after our trip to Augusta S and I had scheduled an expedition to Birmingham, Alabama, to photograph even more rusty crap. The night before our trip, a tornado hit downtown Atlanta and the next morning another line of storms was over Birmingham.

Over breakfast at the Silver Skillet, we decided to cancel the Birmingham trip and head to south metro Atlanta, where, according to our Iphones, there were no storms. Near Fairburn, we found a rather dilapidated abandoned house and stopped to take a few photographs. I took this picture of an abandoned dresser that was sitting on the side porch. I was having a hard time focusing and something about the camera seemed off, but I figured it was just that I had not used my Fujica AX-5 in a while and I needed a bit to adjust from the sharper Nikon D70.

As we were driving along SR 16 (Newnan Road), we came across an abandoned gas station, where I shot this photograph of a decaying Ford truck. As we were getting out of the car to head over to the gas station, a passerby asked if we wer all right or needed help, a marked contrast to my usual haunts in Atlanta where folks ask for change.

Abandoned houses are apparently a common theme in south metro Atlanta. It wasn't long before we came across this nicely air conditioned house complete with an easy chair. It was in a much worse state of disrepair than the one we found in Fairburn and provided plenty of interesting photography opportunities.

After the trip, I dropped my film off at Showcase for development and waited a few days. After bringing the film home, cutting it, and putting it in negative preservers, I took a good look at it and discovered everything was out of focus. So I took my Fujica AX-5 to the Camera Doctor in Decatur. For a quite reasonable price, albeit twice what I paid on Ebay for the camera, he repaired the focusing screen, replaced all the light seals, cleaned, and lubricated the camera.

adventures with s @augusta (nikon d70)

2010-11-03T17:08:00.000-07:00

After S and I hit Reynoldstown and Cabbagetown a couple of years ago, we went on a road trip to Augusta, Georgia, to visit our mutual friend H. Aside from photographing, we ate lunch at Nacho Mama's, a delicious Mexican restaurant, got drunk at a bar on Washington Road, paid a visit to the Augusta Canal Locks, and had a blast.

One of the first things we found in Augusta was the old Graniteville Company Enterprise Mill, which closed in 1983 and has since been renovated and turned into loft apartments. The building also contains a history center, which I visited about a year and a half after our photography trip.

We then drove to the commercial district in downtown Augusta and spent some time wandering around. I found this lamp and shadow on a yellow wall on a downtown building. Continuing the wall theme is this photograph of rust stains and shadows. Also downtown, I liked the shape of this letter in a Firestone sign. By this time, our friend H, was looking seriously bored and openly asking when we might run out of rusty junk to photograph. An old rusty safe out in front of Georgia Lock & Safe is one of my favorite images from the trip.

adventures with s @reynoldstown & cabbagetown (nikon d70)

2010-09-22T19:02:00.000-07:00

A few years ago, I paid a visit to Reynoldstown and Cabbagetown, two gentrifying areas of Atlanta close to downtown, with my friend S. Soon after arriving in Reynoldstown we discovered a dilapidated house that looked like it was about to fall down. I didn't venture inside, as it looked particularly unsafe and there was substantial evidence that the residentially challenged folks were occupying the premises.

After photographing Reynoldstown, we made our way over to Cabbagetown, where I was thrilled to photograph a lost toilet, one of my favorite subjects. At the end of the journey, I came across this emer graffiti, but found the texture of the discarded junk in front of the wall more interesting than the writing.

Upcoming Show! October 9th, 2010 at Element Coffee Co.

2010-09-07T19:27:00.000-07:00

I have an upcoming show! Details are as follows:

Opening Reception
8 to 10 pm October 9th, 2010
Element Coffee Company
12635 Crabapple Road
Milton, Georgia 30004

As a sneak preview, the following three images will be part of the show: Drugs Four, No Farming Eight, and It Does The Body Good.

Element Coffee Company is an excellent independent coffee shop in the Historic Crabapple area near Alpharetta, Georgia.

make way for progress @downtown atlanta (nikon d70)

2010-08-04T17:11:00.000-07:00

About a decade ago, Central Atlanta Progress (CAP) hired an engineering firm to study improving the Jones-Simpson-Alexander (JSA) corridor. The three streets in the corridor formed a critical east/west connection linking Northside Drive to Peachtree Street. The Georgia World Congress Center, a massive convention space is at the western end of the JSA corridor and Atlanta's central business district sits at the eastern terminus. The shiny new Georgia Aquarium is located in the middle of the JSA corridor. Near the western edge of the JSA corridor was an old bridge over the CSX and Norfolk Southern railroad lines that needed replacement.

This building happened to sit in the way of the new bridge and I photographed it a few weeks before demolition. The building was in pretty bad shape, this photograph of intact glass shows one of the rare parts of the building with unbroken windows. Peeling paint was evident all over the building. And finally, the obligatory no trespassing sign, with some bonus rust.

The JSA corridor improvements have since been completed, and the finished roadway renamed Ivan Allen Boulevard. Substantial redevelopment has taken place on the eastern end of the corridor. However, the great recession has put some plans on hold, including the residential component.

Elaine Interview (Totally Like Me)

2010-07-30T04:12:00.000-07:00

I've only been following Elaine at Totally Like Me for about a year and she's one of my favorite photobloggers. Mostly because she always comments back. Kidding, I really like her approach, where I do a minimal amount of processing because I'm lazy, she turns ordinary every day photographs into art with her mad post production skills. She agreed to reveal all her darkest secrets in an interview, so behold the following.

How did you first get into photography? Who gave you your first camera, or did you purchase it yourself? Was it film or digital?

When I was in highschool, my friend Cindy and I got kicked out of "Marketing" for sliding record albums under the locked store door out into the hall and getting caught. I figured the next easiest course to take would be photography. I had no interest in it when I started, my first camera I'm ashamed to say was an "accidently donated" Canon AE-1, so I don't know who gave it to me! It was film. :)

What made you decide to start a photoblog? How long have you been photoblogging? What frustrates you most about photoblogging?

I kept trying to start a photoblog for about six or seven years, it was a comedy of errors, I even purchased movable type and paid somebody to design a photoblog for me, because there just wasn't much out there at the time. That site ended up getting hacked and BLOG MOXIE, the bogus designers who made the photoblog for me wouldn't fix it unless I paid them $300 per hour for their trouble. I highly do not recommend BLOG MOXIE. Can I say that here? [Of course you can, we like justified anger - Ed.]

Eventually I settled on a gallery, which is a very lonely existence and wasn't inspiring me to take pictures. The story is much longer than this but to keep it short I was writing a meme called Thursday 13, and I called it 13 reasons NOT to start a photoblog, and my friend Sherri from Pearweed read it and introduced me to Pixelpost and taught me how to launch a photoblog, that was probably 3 years ago, maybe only 2, I don't know, and I've changed hosts several times since Pixelpost... But I owe Sherri alot. I wouldn't have a photoblog at all without her, because believe me I had given up in disgust.

What frustrates me most? Commenting! I couldn't sit there for two hours a day commenting to everyone on my favorites list and others who had commented to me, not without much back pain, now I rely on the kindness of people who will comment first, so that I can comment back thoughout the day. I love getting a good comment though!

Do you try to stick to an overarching theme, or is your photoblog more of a visual journal?

My photoblog I would have to say is a journal, it is an attempt to make the mundane reality of my life into prettiness... I don't get out much, no sweeping landscapes for me, nope, it's my husband and dog, sleeping on the couch that inspires me... Do i take pictures of things OTHER than my husband and dog? I can't think of any at the moment because I haven't slept in nearly two days!

Do you enjoy the computer/technical aspect of photoblogging, or is it a source of irritation?

I do believe that processing photos is my favourite part! Whenever I'm down, in a mood, I will go process some photos and inevitably feel a gentle happiness creep up on me... I'm not a very good photographer, so I think processing is my only hope of creating what I see in my heart, when I look at my dog or husband sleeping :)

What other internet related photography projects have you participated in?

So many I can't count, and no none of them are still live except the last version of totallylike.me in Wordpress is still there, but it has the same photos as the current version. Recall the comedy of errors I spoke of above, we're talking MANY errors.

What is the best photograph you never took? What is the best photograph by another photographer you wish you had taken?

I have a picture on my wall of a seagull in flight, I was panning to catch it in the middle of my frame, and I did catch it in the middle of my frame but it's head is in the shadow of a pier, so you might not be able to tell right off what the picture is, but to me, it's the best picture I never took.

I could not choose between my favorite photographers, Tammy Warren, Sharon Wish, Marcie Scudder, you... Though I do have a picture by Marcie as my desktop just because it captured my heart and won't let go. First Kiss by Marcie Scudder.

What is the most interesting story about one of your favorite photographs?

I was walking into a store and there was a heroin addict slumped over, cross legged, completely passed out. I told the store owner she should call someone, but after I walked out and got into my car, I quickly pulled my camera up and snapped a shot. I felt so dirty doing it. But I felt somehow it had to be done. It turned out to be one of my best photos in that photojournalistic kind of way, but I can't really look at it for long because it is comprehensively depressing!

Many of your photographs are post processed quite elaborately. Tell us about you come up with ideas - do you have a vision in mind when you begin, or is the final image more of an improvisation?

I know I know, hehe, lately, for the last 6 months or so, I have been trying not to process so much because somebody insulted me about it. I deleted the comment because I don't accept anything negative on my blog, but deleting it out of my mind was a different matter. I stopped using such chunky textures and such, but in the end I just replaced it with blur and "that 70's look"... I process therefore I am :) I usually have a vision before I start processing, but also am often quite surprised by my end result.

Enough about your photography, tell us a bit about yourself.

I'm a smitten Christian, I adore my husband, I used to be a total physics freak, I've seen beauty in many aspects of life.

Favorite guilty pleasure?

A bottle of Bailey's, but now I have quit drinking, quit smoking, I'm very Mary Poppins, "practically perfect in every way" :)

Favorite brand of pasta?

I love the chicken mushroom linguini at Boston Pizza, but don't get out for dinner often because it's not in da budget!

What is your favorite thing to do when not photographing?

I love to get a pet project in my head and research it for months, whether it's buying a bed, or a camera, lately for the past few months I have been researching how to make money online, I'm about to start a business that I'm very excited about, I could tell you about it, but I would have to kill you.

Have you had any formal training in photography? If so, what did you find most useful? If not, what advice do you have for others making their own way?

Yes, I took that three year photography course in high school, it was a vocational school and I was supposed to make a career out of photography, but instead stayed in school and got my university entrance courses and went on to become a computer programmer instead. The thing that I found most useful about the course was the fact that I took so many pictures over the three years that I started seeing the world through a photographer's eyes, I could frame something in my mind and tell if it would make a good photograph. I have mostly lost that ability from taking so many years off from the art, but to this day I very rarely crop a photograph, the frame I shot is like giving birth to a baby, you don't cut bits off later. That was a very weird thing to say...

What advice do I have? You've got two choices, interesting subject matter, or interesting processing, you choose.

I very much enjoy the community aspect, even if my sore back doesn't. To me a picture is not a picture until I can get a witness. The old if the tree falls in the forest and nobody is there type deal... Google Reader ate my list of photographers and it's blank now, you are one of my faves, the blue sky and brick gets me every time, very sexy lol...

Marcie Scudder - She has got to be one of the luckiest photographers in the world for catching the perfect split second in a shot, and her processing is consistently lovely, misty and moody, but in a good way...

Pearweed - Sherri is a classical artistic photographer, inspired by the world around her she gives the gift of inspiration in return for a visit to her page...

Bluechameleon - Sharon wish makes me wish I could be her, mostly because in my film days all I shot was black and white and i would have killed to be able to make my pictures look like hers, but I think that's only possible in the digital age. Sharon is a combination of all things good about a photographer.

While Standing Still - Tammy is a magical person, I love her and her magic shows up in her art, she is the most amazing woman I know...

Roamin - I actually don't visit his page often because his work makes me so sad that I can't do that, that's how good he is, I can't look!

A Picture A Day Keeps The Doctor Away - Walter is just brilliant in every way, witty and wild, with one of the best eyes for a story.

Hobokollektiv - I love his photography because even when he's not taking pictures of the open road, I feel lonely but still feel the wind in my hair when I look at his pictures, they are sad and satisfying at the same time. They fill my heart.

What's next for you and your photoblog? Can we expect more pictures of your husband and dog? Do you have any shows planned?

You can expect many many more pictures of my husband and dog, I'm actually very inspired by their love for each other and get up out of my chair many times a day to take a shot of them "bonding"... And NO my husband isn't always SLEEPING, he just shuts his eyes when I approach with my camera, he's a bit camera shy, but is very supportive of my art... I've had people suggest I do shows but man I don't GET THAT, haha, my pictures are so boring. I think people comment out of pity :)

random buildings @downtown pittsburgh (nikon d70)

2010-07-26T18:19:00.000-07:00

On the way back to Atlanta from Jamestown, I stopped in Pittsburgh for a few days. While my primary objectives were to catch a Pittsburgh Pirates game in their new ballpark and a Penguins game at the Igloo, I found time to take a few photographs as well.

After checking in to my hotel, I busted out the camera gear and took a little stroll around downtown. One of the first things I found was this Death Star looking AT&T Building. Next, while wandering downtown, I noticed a crazy chef tucked in behind a few buildings.

Atlanta firmly believes historic preservation is best done with a wrecking ball and bulldozer. Therefore, the city's historic train stations are long gone. Whenever I'm in other places, I make it a point to go looking for the original train stations. One reason they fascinate me is railroads were the original big money ballers, which is reflected in elaborate station architecture. In Pittsburgh, I found the Pennsylvania Union Station, which has been converted to luxury apartments.

I enjoyed my time in Pittsburgh. A highlight was the abundance of excellent Italian food. Bravo Franco and Villa Reale are two fantastic Italian restaurants. I also appreciated the multiple quality drinking establishments available near my hotel, especially Ale House in Market Square. I highly recommend a visit to the PGH, if you have the means.

Abhinav Jain Interview (A Coup D'etat Of The Status Quo)

2010-07-25T16:53:00.000-07:00

A few years ago, I got the bright idea to interview a few prominent photographers in the photoblogging scene. Unfortunately, things happen a little slower here in the Dirty South and this interview with Abhinav Jain has been sitting in my inbox for a couple of years.

Abhinav Jain has been photoblogging since 2004 and I've been following his work since early 2005. I've enjoyed his impressive six year run and he continues to update A Coup D'etat Of The Status Quo. Without further ado, the interview:

How did you first get into photography? Who gave you your first camera, or did you purchase it yourself? Was it film or digital?

I sort of abruptly stumbled into photography in November 2004. Just prior to that month, I had come across a few photoblogs that greatly excited me. Here were regular people producing incredible works of art, and that too on an almost daily basis! I had been painting since I was a child; but with a camera in my hand, I was a mere snapshot shooter who never looked beyond the auto setting on the dial. These photoblogs helped something click in my head, and I truly saw and understood photography for the first time.

The first camera that I really treated as an expressive tool was a Canon Pro1 (digital) that I purchased at the end of 2004. Using it for the first time reminded me of the same energy and excitement I had felt with my first real set of watercolors.

What made you decide to start a photoblog? What inspired your comeback after the recent hiatus?

Starting in a completely new medium, it's important to have some form of a sketchpad and some level of guidance. I started my photoblog to fulfill both those roles. I was free to experiment as I saw fit, and I got regular feedback/advice from other photographers.

Coming back to photoblogging was always a question of 'when', not 'if'. I missed having a creative outlet during the time I was away from it, and finally just reached a breaking point where I needed to return.

Do you try to stick to an overarching theme, or is your photoblog more of a visual journal?

While I do often try to capture a sense of living in New York City, my only real theme is personal artistic growth. I want to be able to look through my photos and see my style, technique, and work evolve as a whole. I don't mind flipping back and seeing some photos that are absolutely horrible (and there are many), or that deviate wildly from the general New York subject matter. After almost four years, it's still a sketchpad and a work in progress.

Do you enjoy the computer/technical aspect of photoblogging, or is it a source of frustration?

My background is in Computer Science and I thoroughly enjoy the technical aspects. I add new posts through command-line FTP and SQL statements, rather than through a web form. I wrote the first version of my photoblog completely from scratch (in Java), just because I thought it would be fun. I later switched to the Pixelpost platform because it was a lot easier to maintain, but I still like to customize their PHP code wherever I can. It's all about maintaining right brain/left brain equilibrium.

What other internet related photography projects have you participated in?

I was very honored to be featured in the Sept 2005 issue of Photoblogs Magazine [now defunct - ed.] - it gave me a chance to expand on a specific topic near and dear to me. I also participate in Photo Friday regularly, and have had a couple of "noteworthies" there.

Links:

Photoblogs Magazine
Photo Friday

What is the best photograph you never took? What is the best photograph by another photographer you wish you had taken?

There was a young couple alone on the promenade near the Brooklyn Bridge a couple of years ago. With the sunset and sweeping bridge in the background, it was quite dramatic. I would have loved to get that photograph.

There are countless images by other photographers that I wish I could claim as my own. At the professional level, Steve McCurry's famous portrait of Sharbat Gula (the "Afghan Girl") remains the gold standard of portraiture for me. At the photoblogger level, an image that comes to mind is "double take", by Dave Martinidez of "new york moments". I probably passed that same giant billboard several times without ever seeing the clever photo that Dave saw in it.

Links:

Steve McCurry: Afghan Girl
Dave Martinidez [Direct link to the image is no longer available - ed.]

What is the most interesting story about one of your favorite photographs?

One of my personal favorites is All Clear. New York City had just recently opened up access to Governor's Island and after a very rainy week, Yuri and I finally went on a beautiful Saturday morning. The ferry ride over was fantastic and I was very excited about making some photos using an SLR camera for the first time. Of course, the minute we set foot on the island, all hell broke loose in the sky and we were suddenly in the middle of a torrential downpour. We took refuge in an old fort, but I thought I'd lost my beautiful sunny day and the chance to learn to use my new camera.

But these clouds were moving extremely quickly, and about 10 minutes later, we could actually see the storm's edge. I ran towards the water and started shooting furiously - the beautiful cloud edge broke up and was gone in less than 10 seconds. I was new to controlling exposure compensation or metering on this camera and the idea of RAW images was totally foreign to me. The result was an image that may not be technically perfect, but definitely showed me that sometimes it's best to just shoot on instinct and not overthink a scene.

You live in New York City, which presents a plethora of opportunities for photography, have you ever experienced analysis paralysis (e.g. trying to decide between so many photographs that you end up taking none)?. If so, tell us about the situation.

This ties back into that lesson I learned from shooting the All Clear photo. Hesitation will often cost you a great photo, and you simply cannot afford to over-analyze in street photography. That's not to say you shouldn't think about what you're doing, but you just need to think and decide really really quickly. New York City is a visual flood, but my subjects have typically jumped right out at me. Even in cases where there are a lot of potential images, one will usually excite me more than the others, and that is the one I place all my bets on.

Enough about your photography, tell us a bit about yourself.

I was born in Bombay and moved to New York at the age of ten, which was quite a transition. I love spending time with my friends and family, even if (or maybe especially if) we're not doing anything particularly exciting. Rollerblading through Central Park in the fall is one of my favorite activities. I used to paint quite a bit, but not so much recently. I have a short attention span and like to foray into many different pursuits, some of which stick and many which don't.

Favorite guilty pleasure?

I can think of quite a few, but the one I'll share is reading comic books late at night while munching on spicy snack foods.

What is your favorite thing to do when not photographing?

I love traveling and soaking in the feel of a completely foreign place and culture. All the better if it involves some kind of outdoor activity.

Have you had any formal training in photography? If so, what did you find most useful? If not, what advice do you have for others making their own way?

The closest thing I've had to formal training was reading the manual that came with my Rebel XT. Some people do well with structured learning, but I am one that definitely does not.

The biggest piece of advice I would give to other self-learners would be to shoot as much as you can and as often as you can, while experimenting as much as possible. Read up on and really understand the basic principles of photography; and then go shoot as much as possible while applying those principles. Digital frames are free and you can experiment to your heart's content. No one is judging you poorly for seeing what happens when you shoot with a tungsten white balance under fluorescent lighting.

Resist the urge to fall into "equipment envy". If your photographs are not coming out well, focus your efforts on what you are doing wrong. Don't just run out and get more expensive equipment.

Do you enjoy the community aspect of photoblogging? Give a shout out to some of your favorite photobloggers and briefly tell us what you like most about their work (e.g. what keeps you coming back).

The community aspect is one of the things that got me hooked in the first place. Fellow photobloggers provide inspiration, guidance, and sometimes a chance to share the knowledge I have acquired. Some of the sites I visit often:

Dawn Armfield, of Inchoate: I consider Inchoate to be almost a sister site to "coup d'etat" in a way. Dawn and I both started photoblogging at around the same time, and have traded a lot of constructive and honest criticism on our images since then. I see Dawn experimenting and constantly refining her technique in much the same way I try to do. [Sadly, Dawn is no longer photoblogging at that site - ed.]
Jeff Kirlin, of The Thing of The Moment: I think of Jeff as the photoblog clown, but I mean that in the best possible way. I can always count on being entertained with a visit to his site, even if I'm just poking fun at his photos. The strange thing though is that as soon as the carnival folk come to town, Kirlin's photo skills multiply a hundred-fold. I love the passion and honesty with which he shoots his "carnies" series.
Dave Martinidez, of Dave Martinidez Photography: Dave's photos of NYC are terrific. The quality and mood of his work is incredibly consistent, and his sense of exposure is brilliant. Truly one of very few people I know that treat B/W well.
Hanneke Meier and Elvi: Hanneke and Elvi have both moved on from photoblogging into full-fledged (and absolutely stunning) professional work. But I still like to browse their portfolios every once in a while, looking for inspiration. Even with heavy processing and studio work, there is a very appealing rawness about their work.

What's next for you and your photoblog?

At any given point, I have about a half-dozen different ideas swirling about in my head for new projects. Once in a while, something actually comes of it, but I never know what that will be or when. But I do know that I'll keep trying to evolve, and that "coup d'etat" is going to continue being my sketchpad.

random buildings @downtown jamestown (nikon d70)

2008-11-11T18:44:00.000-08:00

On a trip to New York, I stopped by downtown Jamestown in search of decaying buildings. We were there on a Sunday evening and the area seemed more abandoned than it is. Aside from the people I was with, we only saw three or four others wandering the streets.

One of the first interesting buildings I found is the Arcade Building. Over the years, attempts have been made to renovate and reuse the building, but nothing has ever actually happened and it's still vacant.

Up the street from the old Arcade Building is an abandoned display in a vacant store window. From the debris, it appears the store has been out of business for quite some time.

Finally, despite several vacant buildings, there are still plenty of going concerns in downtown Jamestown. An example is this display in the window of Bro Laines.

more of the former cotton warehouse @grantville (fujica ax-5)

2008-11-05T18:37:00.000-08:00

On yet another trip to Grantville, I convinced a friend to go as well. This time, to mix things up, I shot some black and white film. I especially like how this vine on the side of a former cotton warehouse came out. I am also fond of this black and white version of a valve on the wall of a former cotton warehouse.

While wandering around downtown, we were disappointed to discover that Nick's Pizza Stop was closed for the holiday. However, we did come across an ancient Chevrolet Suburban with "No Fear" spray painted on the side.

sunlight and garbage @ castleberry hill (fujica ax-5)

2008-11-04T18:01:00.000-08:00

Despite being invented by musicians in the 1930s, Kodachrome is still better than any modern color film. I was overjoyed to discover it is still manufactured and processed. While some clarity and color depth of the slides is lost in the scans, enough of the unique feel is retained to be worth posting.

While hanging out with the Atlanta Photographers Guild and shooting models, I was rather bored. I noticed the evening sun on a railing and took a shot, as I knew the Kodachrome would reproduce the colors well. Conversely, in cold light, Kodachrome is capable of producing some fabulous blues and greens, as shown in this photograph of garbage in the ghetto.

bad neighborhoods @castleberry hill & downtown atlanta (polaroid 1200si)

2008-11-03T17:39:00.000-08:00

One of the nicer aspects of Castleberry Hill is the never ending supply of garbage everywhere. Most of the litter can be attributed to the filthy animals that are Falcons fans, but the neighborhood also seems to attract more than its fair share of random dumping. The City of Atlanta's inability to provide basic services like street and sidewalk cleaning does not help.

To the northeast of Castleberry Hill is downtown Atlanta. This part of the city features some of metro Atlanta's premier office space. Right next to that fine office development are premium downtown Atlanta condominiums. I'm not sure if those are abandoned residences or a vacant hospital of some sort.

Back in Castleberry Hill, the residentially challenged are living large, as evidenced by this bum's nest. I hope everyone enjoyed this tour of scenic downtown Atlanta!

old barn and old truck @douglas county (fujica ax-5)

2008-10-27T17:10:00.000-07:00

Tired of photographing urban decay, one evening I headed west along US 78 (Bankhead Highway) towards Douglas County, Georgia, to see what I could discover. Driving randomly down country roads near Villa Rica, I came across a dilapidated barn. The ancient barn was in bad shape, as evidenced by this photograph showing a hole in the structure. Also, the rusty roof was decaying badly and panels were missing.

Headed back to Atlanta through Villa Rica, I found an old Ford truck parked just outside of downtown. Surprisingly, the headlight of the F100 was in decent shape. In the window of the truck was a sign that read:

Ford F100
1964
V8 3SPD
Runs Great
No Title
$1995

Obviously, a bargain at twice the price!

bad neighborhoods @castleberry hill & vine city (polaroid 1200si)

2008-07-30T18:07:00.001-07:00

One day, while strolling through my neighborhood, I came across this low budget car wash. When I went back in the evening to photograph the car wash in the evening, the proprietor - at least I assumed he was - was sitting in front of it. I went back a few more times and was finally rewarded with a people free flick.

Although the car wash looks like it could be anywhere in the rural southeastern United States, it is located only a few miles from downtown Atlanta. As far as I know, the car wash is still there and still in business.

Homelessness is a serious issue in Atlanta. It is a problem, because they irritate me by asking for money all the time. However, there were two agreeable (i.e. they never talked to me) fellows engaged in urban camping in my neighborhood. Most of the time, they simply sat in a field with their limited posessions. After several tries, I was able to take this flick of a bums' nest, minus the residentially challenged persons.

While out strolling on another day, I discovered this Atlanta Falcons fan's recreational vehicle, located in a vacant lot on the eastern edge of Vine City. For readers unfamiliar with Atlanta, Vine City is a serious slum, mostly famous for its open air drug market. I went early in the morning to get the photograph, while all the crackheads were still asleep. Even then, I did not dare venture inside. By the time I found someone willing to explore the interior with me, the RV was gone.

more ideas from the professor @oakland cemetery (fujica ax-5)

2008-07-29T18:39:00.000-07:00

Oakland Cemetery is one of my favorite places to shoot flicks, mostly because several visitors have expressed they are not wild about cemetery photographs.

A few years ago, during a conversation with my friend The Professor, he mentioned riding through Oakland Cemetery as a child and wondering about the monuments reflecting the Downtown Atlanta skyline, which is visible from the graveyard. As this was an excellent idea, I set off to implement it.

This monument is similar to the Suntrust building in the background, yet different from the other buildings in the skyline. Also, the monument appears to be the same scale as the buildings and slightly taller than Peachtree Center. This photograph reverses the dynamic, with the tombstone dominating the Westin in the background.

The next two flicks focus on the Fulton Bag and Cotton Mills building, now converted into lofts. The first is a monument reflecting the water tower and building and the second is a different marker reflecting the water tower. I think these photographs work well with the Professor's idea, what do you think?

Those who missed it may wish to peruse The Professor And His Ideas @Oakland Cemetery.

echo lounge @east atlanta (fujica ax-5)

2008-07-21T19:27:00.000-07:00

In the days of way back, soon after I first moved to Atlanta, I was introduced to the Echo Lounge by a co-worker. One day while The Man was keeping us down, she mentioned her band, now defunct, would be playing that Friday at the Echo Lounge. I think that was the first show I saw in Atlanta and was certainly the first of many 3d5spd shows I attended.

While Sharks and Minnows, the opening band, were playing, I spotted an athletic long haired brunette in a simple dress with a tattoo on her back - how racy - smoking a cigarette at a table by herself. I walked over and chatted with her. Later on in the evening, when I requested her phone number, she simply replied, "No." I wish every woman was that succinct.

Highlights I remember from the Echo Lounge include discovering Sunday Munich and their unbelievable singer Sarah when Spy canceled the night their guitarist's first child was born, a Nightporters reunion show put on by Stomp and Stammer, and Methane Studios' annual poster sales.

My co-worker has long since moved away, most of the bands I saw there have fallen into the dustbin of unwritten history, and the Echo Lounge itself is in a state of disrepair. Rumor has it a new music hall and an Irish Pub are opening in the building, or may be open already - East Atlanta is no longer my stomping grounds, but rumors have swirled for several years, so I will believe it when I see it.

Now for the photographs of the Echo Lounge: first is a light fixture attached to the decaying roof, next up is rotting wood and twisted metal, after that, a tree growing up next to the building, and finally, the saddest flick of them all - a dilapidated for rent sign.

Most of the time, the decay is just there - a somewhat abstract commentary on the state of the country during the King George the Fourth era. In contrast, the slow disintegration of the Echo Lounge is personal and reminds me of a time in my life that I miss.

vehicles @cabbagetown (fujica ax-5)

2008-07-07T17:45:00.001-07:00

Cabbagetown is an Atlanta neighborhood that fell on hard times when the nearby cotton mill closed, but has been revitalizing recently. Fortunately, the yuppies have not completely taken over and there are still some interesting things to photograph. One of the first things I found was this excellent shadow on the side of a Volkswagen Microbus.

Towards the end of the trip, I came across a scooter sitting on the sidewalk. As I was photographing it, some hipster sitting on the steps kept glancing up from his book and looking at me funny. I ignored him. Eventually, he asked me what I was doing. I responded and handed him a card with a web address on it. I think it was his scooter, but he never said it was.

The dark spots in the lower left hand corner are due to a shutter malfunction in the ancient Fujica AX-5. Sometimes it ruins photographs, but is generally avoidable by keeping the shutter speed at 1/250th of a second or below. With the two pictures of the scooter, I think it works with the compostition. Thoughts?

more dystopia @atlantic station (nikon d70)

2008-07-01T18:16:00.000-07:00

My previous adventure at Atlantic Station took place in the morning, so I made another trip in the evening to see what else I could find.

A big part of the marketing of Atlantic Station focuses on opportunities to live, work, and play in the development. In the previous post, I covered the live part pretty well. This time around, the evening sun fell nicely on this future location of cubicle dwelling upwardly mobile young professionals. In addition, Atlantic Station also features plenty of opportunities for consumption.

On the way home, as the sun was setting, I came across this spectacular lighting on the 17th Street bridge. I hope everyone enjoyed this little trip through generica.

on the verge of falling down @bemus point (polaroid 1200si)

2008-06-29T18:01:00.000-07:00

On a trip to scenic Western New York a few years ago, I stopped by Bemus Point with my brother in the early morning to take some photographs. While most of the village is in decent shape, I found this delapidated building, which is one of my favorite shots from the trip.

This was taken with my now useless (as they no longer make film for it) Polaroid 1200si.

yuppie ghetto @atlantic station (nikon d70)

2008-06-24T17:58:00.000-07:00

In the days of way back, Atlantic Steel had a plant in Atlanta, just north of downtown. After the Japanese destroyed the steel industry in the United States, the land lay empty and vacant for decades.

In the late 1990s, a Georgia Tech student came up with the bright idea of turning the Atlantic Steel site into a mixed use development. Allow me to translate - mixed use development is urban planner speak for outdoor shopping mall with the same bland chain stores as every other center and cookie cutter vertical trailer parks filled with young professionals. While the initial idea of recycling the prime land Atlantic Steel sat on was good, the results are lame.

On the way to Atlantic station, I passed through an industrial area in the process of revitalizing organically with much better and more interesting results. That is where I found an abandoned table and chair. Behind the fence is the site of a former lead smelting plant, which sits just north of Atlantic Station.

A standard feature of Atlantic Station is the generic faux luxury apartment complex. Every single apartment complex in Atlanta is marketed as luxury, to the point the term has lost all meaning. This one was just completed at the time I made my journey and offering specials to prospective renters. One more shot of the faux luxury apartments.

No master planned development would be complete without incredibly boring and inoffensive public art. There is a companion piece across the street, but this is the better flick by far.

In addition to apartments, the corporate overlords who planned Atlantic Station included a generic soft loft development, which is condominiums. Soft lofts are marketing department speak for generic condominiums finished to look like sort of like lofts (e.g. they might include concrete floors and high ceilings). The idea is to leverage the cachet of actual loft conversions from warehouses and other industrial uses, without the effort or investment of rehabilitating existing buildings.

revitalization @castleberry hill (nikon d70)

2008-06-23T20:09:00.000-07:00

A year and a half ago, a friend of mine emailed me some promotional material for a condominium development in Castleberry Hill. My thoughts were, that's nice, but who wants to live in the ghetto? However, I figured there would be plenty of decay to photograph, so I headed down on a Sunday evening. After parking on Walker Street, I was shocked to find two new restaurants.

I also discovered and took this Mr. Fangs photograph. Soon after, I found and shot another Mr. Fangs flick. The first Mr. Fangs has since been rolled over by cretins. With restaurants and Mr. Fangs, the attractiveness of the ghetto as a place to live was increasing exponentially.

However, every proper shady residential area needs an original sub-prime lender, and in this case, the Fulton Loan Company purveys only the finest in stolen goods to discriminating customers.

And what's a gentrifying area without warehouses converted to lofts? I took this photograph of a loft conversion towards the end of my trip. Then I headed to my favorite local coffee shop.

After relaxing at Octane and reviewing my flicks over a cup of java - and surreptitiously admiring the barista, I headed home. On the way, I got lucky and caught this Empty and companion Last in some dope late evening light.

even more dilapidated buildings and a junkyard @grantville (nikon d70)

2008-06-18T20:16:00.000-07:00

A few years ago, I got up early on Thanksgiving day and headed down to Grantville, Georgia. I intended to explore the inside of the old cotton warehouse and figured no one would be around to bother me at that hour on a holiday.

Prior to visiting the warehouse, I snapped a few pictures of buildings in the downtown. One of my favorites is this photograph of an antique store.

While there is a lock on the door of the cotton warehouse facing the street, around back I discovered a gaping hole in the wall. Inside what remains of the warehouse, the roof and floor are completely gone, is a junkyard. Among old refrigerators and other debris, I found a first generation Honda CVCC and a station wagon of unknown make. Interestingly, the CVCC was a more upscale model than my family owned - ours did not come with luxuries such as a tachometer. The cargo area of the station wagon contained a large piece of what appeared to be electronic equipment, the function of which I could not determine. Because the walls were blocking most of the sunlight, I used a remote SB-800 to add some light to both flicks of the cars.

After finishing up in the junkyard, I wandered down the street. A City of Grantville cop car pulled up and parked at the old train depot. The pig was quite obviously watching me, and followed me for a ways after I got in my car and pulled out. Much to my surprise, he did not pull me over and gratuitously Taser me.

a chair, a plymouth, and ruins @oakhurst (nikon d70)

2008-06-17T18:58:00.000-07:00

In the fall of 2006, I attended an oyster festival at Steinbeck's in Oakhurst, Georgia, with a couple of friends. While there, I made a mental note that Oakhurst might be the kind of place worth photographing sometime. Then I proceeded to get crocked.

Mulligan's was a bar in Oakhurst famous for serving the Lutherburger - a cheesburger with an egg on it, served on Krispy Kreme donuts instead of bread. By the time I got to Oakhurst, the establishment had closed, so I wandered around back to see what I could find. I was rewarded with an abandoned chair behind the former Mulligan's. There wasn't enough light on the chair to suit me, so I used an SB-800 left of the camera to throw a little more on it.

After hitting Mulligan's, I tooled around Oakhurst looking for more interesting stuff to photograph. I found this Plymouth Cadillac, likely the only one ever made. While photographing the Plymouth, which was parked on a public street, an old lady sitting on her screened porch kept asking, "Do you have permission?" As a photographer, clueless wankers who get up in my grill when I am in the public right-of-way irritate me to no end. The law is quite simple - if you are on a public street, sidewalk, or anywhere else publicly owned, if you can see it from there, you can photograph it.

On the way home, I picked a random street and took it northbound. I discovered the ruins of a house. Adjacent to the ruins was a sketchy looking sort of backwoods shack. The kind of dump inhabited by well armed rednecks with anger management and xenophobia problems. So, I did not linger long.

All photographs were taken with a Nikon D70 and a Nikkor 28-70mm f/2.8 constant aperture zoom with a Silent Wave motor.

arson and bec15 @inman park (nikon d70)

2008-06-16T18:50:00.000-07:00

After paying an early morning visit to East Atlanta, I was in the mood for more graffiti flicks. I knew that in Inman Park, just north of the over photographed Krog Street Tunnel, the evening sun would fall on the side of a building with some nice pieces. While I almost rolled up too late to get light on Arsn and Bec15, I like how the sun highlights both pieces.

They are gone now, rolled over by other writers. Part of the fun of documenting graffiti is the transitory nature of the artwork. I also enjoy the treasure hunting aspect - exploring the city looking for new pieces by my favorite writers.

All photographs were taken with a Nikon D70 and a Nikkor 28-70mm f/2.8 constant aperture zoom with a Silent Wave motor.

I'm not sure Bec15 is the actual name of the writer - if any alert readers can confirm this is correct or provide the name, please leave it as a comment. Thanks.

last and empty @east atlanta (nikon d70)

2008-04-28T18:47:00.000-07:00

On a previous trip to East Atlanta looking for graffiti, I noticed Last and Empty. There was a fence adjacent to the building, preventing me from getting the shot. Normally, I would've just hopped it, but there were several folks milling about nearby. Since the denizens of East Atlanta aren't known for waking up early, I dragged my ass out of bed at o'dark thirty and headed over. I was rewarded with vacant streets.

Instead of climbing the fence directly, I went on a reconnaissance mission and discovered the fence was missing a section. After strolling through a field and a small patch of trees where a residentially challenged person had built a nest, I had a great angle on the pieces. I took a few flicks and on the way back out, I found a dilapidated tree and building.

Annoyingly, the little patch of woods I went through was full of flora with sticky seeds. I spent the next half hour sitting on a bench picking stickers off my jeans, fleece, and camera bag.

All photographs were taken with a Nikon D70 and a Silent Wave Nikkor 28-70mm f/2.8 constant aperture zoom.

buildings in the evening sun @porterdale (nikon d70)

2008-04-20T17:28:00.000-07:00

A few months after my morning sojourn to Porterdale, I drove out in the evening. I wanted some photographs of the old mill I alluded to in a previous post before it was completely renovated. This was a waste of time, as there was limited sunlight on the mill. Unfortunately, the buildings across the street from the mill were tall enough to put it in shadow.

Shortly after discovering the mill was in shade, I snapped a picture of an old fashioned electrical insulator. While looking for other opportunities, I did manage one photograph of the under renovation mill building.

After driving all the way to Porterdale for a whopping two pictures, I got lost in the wilds of Newton County on my way back home. After some aimless driving in the dark, I eventually found I-20 and took it back to civilization.

All photographs were taken with a Nikon D70. The insulator was shot with a Nikkor 85mm f/1.8 and a circular polarizer. The photograph of the mill was taken with a Silent Wave Nikkor 28-70mm f/2.8 constant aperture zoom.

construction equipment @the wrong side of the tracks (nikon d70)

2008-04-19T19:17:00.000-07:00

Some time ago, the City of Atlanta repaired the sewer lines along Bishop street, which is fairly close to my apartment. Being bored, I grabbed my Nikon D70 and seized the opportunity to take a few photographs of heavy equipment.

I took this photograph of heavy machinery with Atlantic Station in the background. Just past the Norfolk Southern railroad tracks, a now completed Target is shown under construction. Because the setting sun was brightly illuminating the buildings in the background, I used a Nikon SB-800 Speedlight held off camera in my hand to light the hoses in the foreground, which was in shadow.

While taking this photo of a backhoe, a cat came flying out of the cab when the flash went off and startled me. I jumped about two feet in the air and nearly dropped my camera.

All photographs were taken with a Nikon D70 and a Nikkor 28-70mm f/2.8 constant aperture zoom with a Silent Wave motor.

more dilapidated buildings @grantville (nikon d70)

2008-01-26T18:13:00.000-08:00

A little bird told me the state of affairs in Grantville would be improving. So I packed my Nikon D70 and raced back down to get some more sweet flicks of decay.

Setting up a shot of the crumbling wall of a former cotton warehouse was a pain in my ass. The full light of the setting sun falling on the warehouse wall in the background was fucking up my program, because the brick in the foreground was in shadow. I set up one Nikon SB-800 Speedlight as a remote firing at the bricks, which worked well. Explore the rest of the cotton warehouse.

Across the street, I found an old hotel and took this photograph of an old window on the building's porch. I took another shot of the interior of the old hotel. Based on the lumber and tools strewn about inside the old hotel, at least one attempt at renovation has been started.

Down the street from the old hotel is a former bank. Remembering Ken from Lithonia's advice to look up, I took this photograph of a bank. I liked the results, hence this similar bank flick. Finally, I decided to get a bit of sky in this last shot of a bank in Grantville, Georgia.

All photographs featured in this post were taken with a Nikon D70. The lens used for the bank flicks was a Nikkor 85mm f/1.8 with a circular polarizer.

office space @lithonia (nikon d70)

2008-01-08T19:09:00.000-08:00

I rolled out to Lithonia, Georgia, a second time in the morning to photograph the other side of the street. Right in the middle of taking a photograph of Team Sports, an enormous angry black woman the size of Canada got all up in my grill and asked what I was doing. I ignored her punk ass, finished taking the shot and walked away.

Prior to being accosted by the belligerent woman, I took a photograph of office space, and a picture of a potentially tasty eatery. Because Shazaam was closed at the time and I haven't been back since, I have no idea if it actually is tasty.

All shots referenced in this post taken with a Nikon D70 and a 28-70mm f/2.8 constant aperture zoom.

1965 - 1967 Mercury Comet 202 Station Wagon @Grant Park (Nikon D70)

2007-07-02T17:43:00.000-07:00

Last August, I paid a visit to Grant Park for the Summer Shade Festival. I parked on Ormewood Avenue and noticed this sweet old Mecury Comet 202 Station Wagon. Since I didn't have a camera with me, and the light sucked anyway, I went back the next day and took a few shots. Although the exact year is indeterminate, the wagon appears to be from 1965 through 1967.

grist mill @grantville (nikon d70)

2006-11-15T16:19:00.000-08:00

On my second trip to Grantville, I met a character named Bill Brooks. Mr. Brooks had a penchant for chatting and also owned a few of the falling down buildings in Grantville, notably the former cotton warehouse and the grist mill.

While talking my ear off, Mr. Brooks was kind enough to show me around behind some of his properties. First up was some old power generation equipment. I was busy snapping flicks and not paying attention to Mr. Brooks, but I recall this piece operated at enormous RPMs and was fabricated out of metal two inches thick to keep the gears from blowing out in the case of failure.

Next up was this General Motors 454 V8 engine modified to run on natural gas. The engine provided power in a system used to air conditioning buildings using chilled water. Additionally, a heat exchanger in place of radiator provided hot water. At one point in his career, Mr. Brooks engineered and sold these contraptions to building managers. Although more economical than using electric power to cool facilities, mechanics were often unfamiliar with the equipment and had issues repairing them. Screaming tenants and Georgia Power would then convince building management to get back on the grid. Mr. Brooks had apparently picked up several of the surplus machines and sold them on Ebay.

After photographing, I dropped in at Nick's Pizza Stop for dinner and met one of the proprietors, Kim. I enjoyed my tasty calzone and the friendly service.

All photos mentioned in this post were taken with a Nikon D70 and a 28-70mm f/2.8 constant aperture zoom.

mitchell's service @porterdale (nikon d70)

2006-11-05T19:17:00.000-08:00

All the cool kids have peeling paint shots - here is my take: peeling paint at what was once Mitchell's Service.

For this photograph of the office at the former Mitchell's Service, I used a remote SB-800 on the floor firing into the room to even out the contrast ratio, since the sun was shining directly on the bricks.

I used the same trick with the SB-800 to bring out the whites in this photograph of the bathroom at the now defunct Mitchell's Service.

old truck @porterdale

2006-10-30T17:15:00.000-08:00

While strolling around the de facto junkyard in Porterdale, I found a most excellent old truck.

This photograph of the interior of an old truck was especially difficult, as the sun was shining directly through the windshield, which I was shooting toward. I placed an SB-800 in remote mode on the driver's seat and set the flash on my D70 to commander mode. Wireless TTL flash fucking rules.

Happiness is being the second one in the parking lot waiting for the liquor store to open.

After my Porterdale exploration expedition, I dropped into Krispy Kreme for some post photography treats. Unfortunately, the goddamn place was overrun with fucking families and motherfucking rug rats. I liked it better when the parking lot was full of bums with Thunderbird breath and the yuppies stayed away.

For convenience, here are all five photographs of the truck:

All photos were taken with a Nikon D70 and a 28-70mm f/2.8 constant aperture zoom.

junkyard @porterdale

2006-10-19T18:13:00.000-07:00

A coworker at my old day job was on assignment in Newton County and mentioned Porterdale might be worth a visit. I took a few shots on my then brand new Nikon N65, but they didn't really work. A few months ago, I rolled out of bed ridiculously early and made the forty minute drive to catch the town just after sunrise.

Much to my surprise and annoyance, when I arrived in downtown, I found the old mill building was being renovated into lofts. Across the street and about 200 yards away from the rapidly gentrifying area around the old mill is a worn building made out of corrugated metal with a de facto junkyard in front. I took the following photographs of the building:

All photos were taken with a Nikon D70 and a 28-70mm f/2.8 constant aperture zoom.

the professor and his ideas @oakland cemetery

2006-10-12T21:12:00.000-07:00

One day, The Professor mentioned the space between the monuments at Oakland Cemetery might be more interesting than the monuments themselves. While performing a consumer product safety test on a recently purchased Fujica AX-5, with 135mm f/2.8 and sometimes a Fujica 2X teleconverter, I looked at what was going on between. The following photographs of the Bank of America Building and the King Memorial MARTA Station are the result.

artist's colony with the shitzu @inman park

2006-09-30T18:07:00.000-07:00

An indeterminate amount of time ago, I attended an opening with The Shitzu in Inman Park. The artist was showing graffiti shots and selling prints of the photographs along with t-shirts.

On the way out, while attempting to turn around, we happened to drive through bizzaro world. We found a small artists' colony in a rapidly gentrifying (read: taken over by douche bag yuppies moving in from the suburbs) area. A bunch of great old cars were quietly rusting away in the parking area. A few weeks later, The Shitzu and I rolled back there. I took a few photographs of an old Volkswagon Rabbit, an ancient Chevrolet Bel Air, and an old school Cadillac Fleetwood. I used my Nikon D70 with a 28-70mm f/2.8 constant aperature zoom.

dilapidated buildings @grantville

2006-09-13T21:05:00.000-07:00

Grantville is rural decay. I discovered the ruins while working the day job and made a mental note to go back.

Eventually, I rolled down to Grantville with my Nikons and took a few photographs of a dilapidated cotton warehouse, and an old stable that has fallen into disrepair. I held up a Nikon SB-800 and used the trick commander mode on my D70's built in flash to illuminate the valve and get the nice shadow against the white wall.

[UPDATE: The old stable has now been demolished, as of November, 23, 2006]

As I was taking pictures, a gnarly storm was rolling in. The drive back up to Atlanta was less than pleasant. After surviving the storm, brief hydroplaning on I-285, and numerous retarded Atlanta drivers, I made it home and surfed the internet to find information on the ruins I photographed. The internet was less than helpful, but there is a going concern in downtown Grantville - Nick's Pizza Stop. Besides serving as a point of consumption for pizza, Nick's also has plenty of information regarding Grantville history and the aforementioned ruins.

chair porn @lithonia

2006-08-25T21:03:00.000-07:00

I was cruising around south DeKalb County for my day job, when I noticed a discarded chair behind one of the buildings in downtown Lithonia. I went back in the evening to take a picture, because everyone loves chair porn.

As I was photographing the white chair porn in Lithonia, an old guy and an even older woman walked up. The old guy introduced himself as Kenny and we chatted for a bit. He is a retired set photographer and gave me the excellent idea of looking up at the facades of the historic buildings in the downtown.

After chilling with Kenny, I noticed this goldenrod chair porn in Lithonia and proceeded to take a few pictures. As the natural light did not suit me, I slipped an SB-800 into the hotshoe of my D70 and took a few more shots.

butler @oakland cemetery

2006-08-13T19:16:00.000-07:00

This photograph of the Butler monument is the first in a series of five early morning shots in Oakland Cemetery. I took this in the middle of July and at 7:30 in the morning, it was already hot as balls.

These were taken with a Fujica STX-1 generously donated by my friend Ted. I also used a Fujinon 28mm f/2.8 lens found on Ebay. The camera was loaded with Ilford Delta 400 and a #25 filter was attached to darken the sky.

how this works

2006-08-13T18:59:00.000-07:00

Photographs are now posted on Aspherical, which is graciously hosted by Foursevenfour Media.

This site may, or may not, feature commentary on the photographs - I'm not sure what to do with it yet. Feel free to comment with suggestions.