This photo of a lakefront view of downtown Chicago was taken during my rust belt tour earlier this year. Although most of the trip was focused on finding the beauty in the decayed and neglected industries, we would take moments like this one to see the beauty in the modern city as well. This is a high dynamic range (HDR) shot using three bracketed shots combined into one image.
This sunset photo was taken just outside of Pittsburgh earlier this year. My brother Josh and I had just finished a weekend of shooting urban exploration photographs in Cleveland and Pittsburgh and were on our way back to Toledo, Oh for Easter. We had waited for the sunset in the city on one of the many bridges in the city until we just couldn’t take the wind anymore. We felt like we had shot some nice sunset shots until we realized that the best was yet to come. Instead of being upset over the lost opportunity, we pulled the car over and took these shots.
As my brother, Joshua and I explored forgotten buildings throughout the rust belt, we noticed a relationship between the man made structures and nature. As the wind, rain and sun work on breaking down many of these old buildings, plant life begins to invade. Often the plants will grow on the roof tops or inside the building where the roof has failed. The roots can crack foundations and shift walls creating even more opportunities for mother nature to do her work.
This image was taken at sunset on our first day in Chicago. We spent much of the day searching for imagery with little luck. Our determination and faith that we would find something lead us to this complex of buildings and silos just off Highway 55. I was able to capture this image using 3 bracketed shots and a fisheye lens borrowed from Joshua.
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.
The Anthony Wayne Bridge, a 3,215-foot suspension bridge crossing the Maumee River, has been a staple of Toledo’s skyline for more than 70 years. It is locally known as the “High-Level Bridge.” This bridge is an iconic image in Toledo.
This shot was taken today at sunset with my brother Joshua. We’ve been shooting together all weekend and plan to do the same next weekend.
Today I was out on the hunt for images in preparation for my trip to the rust belt. I was looking for industrial scenes that might make good HDR (high dynamic range) images. I passed this scene earlier in the day but the light just wasn’t right. I waited here for about an hour and a half to get this shot.
The other day I was heading to Costco for some of the usual staples and I noticed this sunset from the parking lot. I try to make it a habit to always have my camera with me, and on that day, I did. I took about 6 captures and this was my favorite.
I used to miss shots like these because I thought the fence destroyed the scene. I realize now that the fence doesn’t ruin anything. This view is one that so many people see everyday but don’t even really notice. I’ve come to embrace the lines of the city. Telephone poles, wires and street signs are all a part of our every day experience. It should also be in our art.
