Road Trip to Gadsden, AL

About a year and a half ago, my best friend, Will, and I went on a road trip to Gadsden, AL. While there, we found the most remarkable industrial park I've ever seen. Most would probably call it an eye soar or worse, but that's just part of what made it so exciting. The place was clearly in shambles. most of the buildings had been abandoned for a long time and were showing their age. Unfortunately, we didn't have much time to shoot before they were closing up for the day. This time, we had a LOT more time.

That top image is a VERY quick composite in an attempt to show a little of the park. We were roughly 8 stories up on the top of a coke factory. We spent about 4 hours total there and we were just getting warmed up. I could spend years in a place like this and never run out of inspiration. The hardest part of shooting in an environment like this is calming down enough to focus on one thing and not get distracted. Both Will and I were wishing we had some models/band to shoot. It helps to slow ones heart rate when you have a job to do.

I primarily shot medium format film (see the last picture, below), so I can't share those right now. Still, stay tuned. Perhaps they'll be coming to a gallery near you!

Dallas: Day Three (Angie Raess Band)

Whew! What a whirlwind! Today has been (just like the last few days) a blur of activity. Today started with the ARB and I under one of the Dallas's MANY overpasses and highway interchanges. Terry and I had seen this particular area as we drove past yesterday. With a little work, a good deal of sweat and some mud on my boots, we got some shots that I'm quite pleased with.

After that, I finally met my match in the form of a beautiful old chapel on the campus of Texas Woman's University (Little Chapel in the Woods). Try as I might, for over an hour and a half, that place foiled every attempt I made to light and shoot it properly. Had I had all day, I'm not sure I would have found anything that had satisfied me. Frustrated beyond belief, I finally gave in and shot the guys (and gal) in one of the anti-rooms that had large windows. As soon as I did that, we had more shots that (I hope) will serve them well.

Right now, I'm sitting in the Kansas City International Airport about to board my connection home to the great city of Nashville (Nashvegas for those in the know). Rest assured that I'll work diligently in the days to come to get those photos up in galleries for all to see and enjoy!

Happy Trails!