When The Stars Align

Sometimes when shooting film it's like the stars align. I was out driving around and looking to start back up my series titled "Concrete Cathedrals" when I came across this scene. It was like not only finding the perfect Cathedral, but a pope to go with it. The title of the large vessel is "American Victory", which I thought was suiting given the fact that the 4th of July is upon us this upcoming weekend. That coupled with amazing clear skies and the exact combination of camera and film that I wanted led to this shot.

U.S. Route 53, Superior, Wisconsin, June 2015

Rolleiflex SL-66 / Zeiss Planar 80mm/f2.8
Kodak Panatomic-X print film developed in Rodinal 1:50

Road Less Traveled

 U.S. Route 12, Oakdale, Wisconsin, September 2011

Not to sound like Andy Rooney, but Have You Ever Noticed that whereas the old independent strip motels that dot our byways off the Interstate have character, that you would not want to actually stay there?

That's because they're are often run down, unhygienic, and you certainly wouldn't want to take a shower in Cabin 1 on some lonely, rainy night.  

I would much rather stay someplace luxurious and civilized, such as the DoubleTree Suites, in Minneapolis (/sarcasm).

Camera Phone Heresies: Wisconsin Trailer Park

 

U.S. Route 12, near New Lisbon, Wisconsin, April 2011

The simple eloquence of these hand-painted signs is disappearing in a rapidly standardized world. Before long, we'll all be forced to use kilometers, and to purchase the signs from government-approved manufacturers.    

Camera Phone Heresies

Rest area, U.S. Route 63, Baldwin, Wisconsin,

April 2010

This is an artifact of a bygone era called a "water fountain."  If one wanted a drink of water, one just bent over the spigot, turned the valve, and out came water.  For free.

Camera Phone Heresies

Soo Line GP-30 diesel unit No. 703

Colfax Railroad Museum, Colfax, Wisconsin

June 2010

Not planning on taking any pictures on this dreary day, Evan, Sarah, and I packed up, and drove to the Colfax Railroad Museum, where we had an enjoyable weekend afternoon.  Evan and Sarah ran amok among the rolling stock, and I did my best to make certain they stayed off the Canadian National right of way.

Nonetheless, this particular diesel engine -- long past its prime, and quietly rusting in the station yard -- piqued my attention, and this lovely color accident found its way onto my camera phone.