Rhyolite Ghost Town

[Cem_Usakligil]

Hi folks,

Since I have been absent for a while, I thought it'd be nice to restart posting with a new picture.

Here is one I took last summer in Rhyolite Ghost Town (nearby the Eastern entrance of the Death Valley National Park), USA. I realize that it's a bit of a cliche; bold and saturated colors, strong contrast and a willing subject (LOL). But I still like it so I wanted to share it with you. C&C is appreciated, as usual.

Cheers,

 

[Jim Galli]

Hey, just down the road from me! I won't comment because at this point I probably can't see the forest because of the trees. I do love the train station though and would love to see the chain link come down.

 

[Tom Robbins]

Cem,

My parents moved to the Mojave Desert in the 1970's, and the strong contrasts and colors brought back memories of many visits to the desert through the years.

The colors and contrast work well with the strong centered composition.

Tom

 

[fahim mohammed]

Hi Cem,

Welcome back and Eid Mubarak. saturated colors, High contrast, thats the way to go in the desert
Love the shades of brown/beige.

Regards.

 

[Asher Kelman]

At last! I thought you had just gotten buried with pictures! So welcome back to this side of the world.

Cem, I really am glad to see you have dug deep into your recent tour of the USA when we had such a good time sharing photography around the sights in Los Angeles. Do you remember the Greek orthodox priests I got to pose for us?

Anyway, this picture is a challenge. We all want to find such place to photograph and yet not repeat what everyone else has done. All I can do is take advantage of your sweat and effort to play with your work and see how much art there is there.

This looks like a real genuine abandoned cabin/store but it also could be part of a movie set. Did you take pictures inside? Now that would be special. I wonder how the place resists being scavenged down to nothing by tourists?

So is there more?

Asher

 

[Cem_Usakligil]

Hey, just down the road from me! I won't comment because at this point I probably can't see the forest because of the trees. I do love the train station though and would love to see the chain link come down.

Hi Jim,

Had I known this, I'd drop by for a cup of coffee ;-). I too liked the train station, I even have a few pictures of it. I'll see if they are worthy to be shared here. I have spent too little time in Rhyolite since we had to move on to Death Valley and the on to Mammoth Lakes. It was more like, park the car, get out, take a few snaps, get back in, drive around. You must know the routine I'm sure. ;-)

Cheers,

 

[Cem_Usakligil]

Cem,

My parents moved to the Mojave Desert in the 1970's, and the strong contrasts and colors brought back memories of many visits to the desert through the years.

The colors and contrast work well with the strong centered composition.

Tom

Hi Tom,

Thanks for your kind comments. The centered composition and the colors/contrast were indeed intended as such. I am glad to hear that it comes over.

Cheers,

 

[Cem_Usakligil]

Hi Cem,

Welcome back and Eid Mubarak. saturated colors, High contrast, thats the way to go in the desert
Love the shades of brown/beige.

Regards.

Hi Fahim,

Eid Mubarak to you too. So how have you been, getting ready for the trip to Nepal?

Cheers,

 

[Cem_Usakligil]

At last! I thought you had just gotten buried with pictures! So welcome back to this side of the world.

Cem, I really am glad to see you have dug deep into your recent tour of the USA when we had such a good time sharing photography around the sights in Los Angeles. Do you remember the Greek orthodox priests I got to pose for us?

Anyway, this picture is a challenge. We all want to find such place to photograph and yet not repeat what everyone else has done. All I can do is take advantage of your sweat and effort to play with your work and see how much art there is there.

This looks like a real genuine abandoned cabin/store but it also could be part of a movie set. Did you take pictures inside? Now that would be special. I wonder how the place resists being scavenged down to nothing by tourists?

So is there more?

Asher

Hi Asher,

I have a huge backlog of pictures from our trip to USA last summer. Of course I still remember every minute of it and cherish the fine moments we have spent in LA with you, Kathy and your partners. I have indeed a few shots of those priests, do you want me to show them?

This picture is more of a gap filler, I do not see it as art. Maybe if I make a large print of I may yet change my mind. I also have it in B&W and it looks almost as good if not better. On a large print, I'd lean more towards the B&W version but for here on the monitor I preferred color.

I haven't been inside the cabin as it is boarded. But I have some more pictures from the environment, which I may show later.

PS: I have some interesting pictures of another ghost town here in Belgium, maybe I should start another thread on that?

Cheers,

 

[Asher Kelman]

Hi Cem,

Yes the ghost town in Belgium would be a good subject.

I'm glad you liked the B&W version. I was so impressed that I made a 4x6 print and it's delightful. I'll post my version.

Is it art? Well the one I printed out is!

Asher

 

[Cem_Usakligil]

... I'll post my version.
...
Is it art? Well the one I printed out is!
...

Yes please show us the B&W. You're way too kind regarding the art comment, BTW

Cheers,

 

[Asher Kelman]

Yes please show us the B&W. You're way too kind regarding the art comment, BTW

Hi Cem,

I've decided that it's art if it gives me cause to stop and look at it further and I want to know what's inside and I keep returning so it's now part of my places to wonder around. It's now one of my labyrinths. I can bring my own thoughts, and wonder about things. So in truth this has to be art! Your intent is not needed for how it works for the observer!

This is the original and the two colors, sand and blue sky define the picture and the colors are so strong that the wooden structure is taken by the desert and is lost. With B&W, we break up this monopoly of such a great part of the picture being sand colored and can appreciate better so many fascinating shapes, textures and the patina of age. This is a very good example of where color removal can open up an image to allow a rearrangement of relationships and appreciation of the physicality of the place.

Yes the color looked like a desert scene, but we can imagine that. All in all, the B&W version is much more interesting and inviting.

Asher

 

[Husain Alfraid]

Hi Cem,

i'm so amazed...i like every piece of it...from saturation, contrast....and even the BW version


keep it up..

Husain