Jeff Ball

Pressure

Posted by Jeff
Copyright Jeff Ball 2010

I’ve always had a fascination with water towers. I’m not sure what it is about them but since I was a kid I’ve been attracted to them. During my trip to the rust belt, I took the opportunity to shoot a lot of water towers. Many of which I’m sure I will post on the site.

The potential energy of these towers is very interesting. Huge amounts of water stored in a tank on top of a building could have devistating effects. At the same time they represent an early technology that provided access to water and water pressure for buildings and whole communities.

This shot was taken in Toledo, Oh at sunset.  The building is located right downtown along the Maumee river and serves as a reminder of simpler days.

Desicration

Posted by Jeff
copyright Jeff Ball 2010

As my brother Joshhua (www.ballmultimedia.com) and I were looking for building to photograph in Toledo, Ohio, we came across this church.  As I looked over the desicration of this place of worship I thought about what had happened here.

Who got married at this alter, now painted with inverted pentagrams? Who sang in these aisles  or attended Sunday school in the basement littered with beer bottles and fallen plaster? How did this church fail? Did the congregation move from the neighborhood? Maybe they just couldn’t pay the bills to maintain the space. Whatever the reason, the results are a sad sight.

I don’t consider myself a religious person, but I can’t help but feel that beautiful spaces that once meant so much to so many should be preserved. I hope that this church one day finds a new use to hold on to it’s history and not end up another empty lot in a struggling rust belt city.

Walleye Run

Posted by Jeff
Copyright Jeff Ball 2010

The Walleye Run in the Maumee River in Toledo, Oh is a big event each year. It’s so big, Toledo has named it’s professional hockey team, The Walleyes, who are actually in the playoffs right now. Each year the Walleye come up the Maumee river to spawn and it attracts hundreds of fisherman each year. At peak times, you can see fisherman of all ages, sexes and races fishing shoulder to shoulder. Some fish waste deep in the water with their waders, nets and stringer lines and some fish from small boats in the middle of the river.  Despite the method, most leave with at least one fish on their line.

It’s also great business for local bait vendors and sports equipment retailers. There is a certain set of gear that it seems all fisherman must have. Those who don’t have the proper gear look awkward and amateur.

This shot was taken at dawn near Sidecut Park in Maumee, Oh.

Freight Elevator No. 4

Posted by Jeff
Copyright Jeff Ball 2010

This shot is part of the series I’m working on with my younger brother Joshua www.ballmultimedia.com.  We’re traveling to cities in the rust belt documenting the effects of the economy and shift of jobs over seas on American industries. This shot was taken in a massive industrial structure in Detroit. I love the way the ice falls from the elevator sign.

Ice Painting 3

Posted by Jeff
Copyright Jeff Ball 2008
Copyright Jeff Ball 2008

Ice paintings are one of my favorite rainy afternoon photography project. It’s easy to accomplish. First, freeze a container of water into ice. A disposable food container works great. Then, set up some lights or use natural light if it’s available. Slowly add your favorite colors of food coloring or acrylic paints and take macro shots of the results. You can also change the affect by using salt to create more texture.

Ice Escape

Posted by Jeff
Copyright Jeff Ball 2010

This morning I got up nice and early to start shooting here in Detroit. It was very chilly and I came across this fire escape covered in ice. I loved the texture and feel if the scene but the images I was taking just didn’t do much for me. Then I got out the fisheye lens and I suddenly loved the image. I hope you like it too!

This could be a dangerous way out of a burning building. Luckily, the building was already burned out so there was no danger.

1956

Posted by Jeff

What was happening in the U.S. when this penny was made?

President: Dwight D. Eisenhower
Vice President: Richard M. Nixon
Population: 168,903,031
Life expectancy: 69.7 years
Homicide Rate (per 100,000): 4.6

US GDP (1998 dollars): $438 billion
Federal spending: $70.64 billion
Federal debt: $272.7 billion
Consumer Price Index: 27.2
Unemployment: 4.4%
Cost of a first-class stamp: $0.03

  • Autherine Lucy, the first black student at the University of Alabama, is suspended after riots (March 1).
  • U.S. tests the first aerial hydrogen bomb over Namu islet, Bikini Atoll with the force of 10 million tons TNT (May 21). Background: nuclear weapons