Roadside Attractions – Photogeek Blog

The Shock of a Lifetime.

Problem Solving, Roadside Attractions, Storytelling, Travel, Travel Photography

As a kid who grew up in Queens and spent most of my life in the city, trips to the country and farms still fill me with excitement. This weekend’s trip to Lancaster, PA, was no exception. When mapping out our way home from a satisfying day, we drove past a group of cows relaxing after a hard day’s work. I shit you, not. The whole crew was sitting together as if they were at a family picnic. We quickly found a place to make a U-Turn to circle back. I excitedly grabbed my camera and pulled myself out of the car. Unlike last week while positioning myself along the Potomac River. I did not step into mud. However, the uneven patch of grass and my general lack of balance caused me to grab the fence as I fell forward. Unfortunately, the cows hadn’t warned me that the fence was electrified and…… zap. I was electrocuted for the first time in my life. Shocking, right. In all the years of jumping fences and trespassing. I’ve never had that happened. And though I survived. I learned a good lesson. Maybe it’s time to return to photographing babies.

Humor Meets Irony

Humor, Roadside Attractions

My stepfather was a hardworking, tell-it-like-it-is kind of guy who had a few rules in life. One that always stuck with me. He refused to go to funerals. Saying, “There’s no sense in waiting until someone’s dead to honor or show respect to them.” Though it might seem cold to many. I understood and came to agree with him.

I have similar feelings about weddings. While being the best man or watching a close friend or family member tie the knot fills my heart with joy. Receiving an invite from a co-worker, colleague, acquaintance, or dare I say, friend of a friend. Doesn’t appeal to me. Dusting off the old suit, purchasing something off the couples wedding list, and being sat with people you don’t know, and don’t want to know is not my idea for a long kiss goodbye. Capturing this sign on the way home from one such wedding encapsulated my feelings and future decisions to begin narrowing the gap to weddings and functions I have no interest in. Sorry, but my crotchety, old man instincts are quickly taking over.

A Bad Day Gone Good

abstract, Exploring, Roadside Attractions, Street Photography, Travel, Travel Photography

Getting my wife out of bed and out the door early on a Saturday was worth all the sausage in Baconvile. A good start before realizing my balance and coordination was shit. with the only options of stay home and call it a day and get going and see what’s happens. Naturally, I chose the latter. After a short drive to Catonsville Maryland’s Atwater’s for a hearty breakfast. We filled our day with hitting up all the worthy bakery’s and a favorite record store. Though my balance seemed lackluster most of the day. It didn’t keep me down. The picture below was taken while returning to our car in Catonsville. The highly reflective mirrors and what looked like burnt edges caught the attention of both me and my wife.It made for a cool shot.

An Ode to Trespassing.

Industrial Photography, Narrative, Roadside Attractions, Storytelling, Travel, Travel Photography

As I sit here with my wife watching a You Tube video titled “Ghost towns and Abandoned places.” I wonder aloud, “Are my days of exploring uncharted territory and off limits properties over?” As early as the age of seven. (Long before I had a camera or the aching to use one. I was exploring the many off limits junk yards, body shops and construction sites of my Queens neighborhood. There was a burnt out house a few blocks from where my Dad lived and believe me, we explored every nook and cranny of the two story home and seperated garage. Getting a camera and reaching the age of accountability changed little. I still had that explorers curiousity and drive to find what was beyond that “No Trespassing” sign. My hopes are that there is still plenty of that desire to explore, and my ability to ignore my wife when she snaps, “Chop, Chop!” or overthinks every I make to ignore those posted warning signs.

Stops Along the Way.

Canon R6 Mark II Mirrorless, Finding your Zen, Night Photography, Roadside Attractions, Travel, Travel Photography

Since moving back east, we’ve been to over twenty breakfast joints. Eggs, bacon, waffles, pancakes, french toast, sausage, bottomless breakfast bowls and countless other breakfast dishes. Yet, for some reason, trips to random Waffle House locations excite me like no other. I took this picture a few weeks back on our way home from Philadelphia. Though I ordered a breakfast bowl. This marked the first time we ever had dinner at one of their locations.Here’s to starting the day off right. Or, in this case, ending one on a positive.

Breakfast Outing in Maryland

Canon R6 Mark II Mirrorless, Landscape Photography, Location Shooting, Narrative, Roadside Attractions, Storytelling, Travel, Travel Photography

Due to the time we arrived at Maryland’s Stony Park farm, the sun was so strong, that getting the images I had hoped for were dashed by how overwhelmingly bright the sun was, It wasn’t until much later in the day when we stopped for ice cream, that I would dare take my camera out of the bag and attempt a shot or two. As a born and raised city boy. One whose lived his entire life in an urban setting. Getting out of my element and experiencing a completely different way of life is mind blowing. The experience has a child-like effect on me that can only be compared to that as a wide eyed kid in a toy store. My love and admiration of farm life, tractors and barnyard animals is boundless. So when the sky began to offer shade. I made sure I had an image to take home and boast about. Here’s my capture of the steering wheel and headlight of the tractor parked outside of the creamery.

Haunted House

Manual Mode, Roadside Attractions

After enjoying some Dim Sum in Hanover, we took a short cut through Laurel to avoid a long thread of highway traffic. As we were driving alongside Brock Bridge Correctional Facility. We came across some abandoned houses that warranted further exploration. With my history of trespassing, the “Let’s keep it safe.” motto of my wife, and my recent binge watching of “Stranger Things.” I decided to take a few shots without getting too close to the creaky house. Better safe than…

Roads Less Traveled

Canon Lenses, Canon lenses and equipment, Editorial, Exploring, Landscape Photography, Roadside Attractions

For years now, our weekends have included road trips that have taken us to many cities, states, farms and out of the way eating destinations. Some of my favorite have been out to the countryside where we get to enjoy things that us city folk don’t get to enjoy during the work week. And with all the roadside attractions and calls to “Stop the car. I’m getting out.” It’s a near miracle we ever get to our final destination. With all the recent verbal onslaghts of “People live here, you know.” and “You’re on private property.” I have learned to choose the ground I tread on lithely. In this case, with a 50 mm lens. I was able to keep a safe distance. Though no one showed up or emerged from the collapsing structure. I definitely felt a presence and history as I walked among the ruins.

Wreckage (1 of 1)

Risk / Reward (For Lana)

Exploring, Graffiti, Industrial Photography, Location Shooting, Roadside Attractions

I was talking to a friend about a recent excursion that really made the hairs on my arm stand on end. A little over a month ago, I came across a spot that was as scary as it was intriguing. That day, I spent a matter of minutes exploring the area just adjacent to the old, abandoned automotive parts/repair shop. At the time, I peaked through, before briefly entering the side door. When returning a few weeks later, I found an obscured front door and entered with as much caution as I had curiosity. Almost immediately, I could feel the hair on my arms stand on end as I had entered a dragon’s lair of graffitied walls, random garbage and the remnants of a recent visitor, or worse, occupant.

Hairy (1 of 1).jpg

As I stepped cautiously through the debris and squalor. I couldn’t help but feel the tortured spirits of those who may have preceded my visit. sunday-1-of-1 As I moved from room to room through hand carved holes in the walls. I couldn’t help but feel that I might have bitten off more than I could chew. The random needles, paint cans and emptied glue containers served as evidence of recent hardcore drug use. “You’re too old to be doing this. You should be enjoying a plate of eggs and hash browns with you wife right now”

As creepy as my visit might have been. I had no inkling as to how weird things were about to get. While carefully opening one of the container doors. I unveiled what seemed to be a living space, complete with mattress. Though not the unveiling of a colony of brain thirsty zombies or bat wielding crack heads I spooked myself into imagining. It quickly served as the hair-raising moment that told me “Times up. Get your ass back in the car” Thankfully, I was in complete and total agreement with that inner voice. Until the next time.

Left Behind

Canon Lenses, Canon lenses and equipment, Industrial Photography, Location Shooting, Roadside Attractions

As we were on our way to breakfast this morning. We passed an old deserted diner just off the main road. Having packed the car for a show I never made it to just nights before. I was loaded for bear and fully prepared to indulge in one of my favorite past, present and future times. As much as the decaying outside facade of Mom’s Diner intrigued me. I knew the inside, if I could find my way inside, would be the real reward. After finding two easily accessible entrance ways. I managed to maneuver my way past a collection of debris, leading me to prize of crumbling brick and the wooden shel. One that originally framed what was once provided nourishment for travelers and truckers alike. One of the key elements of what draws me to these sites is that hint of risk and voice in the back of your head that tells you “You know, you really shouldn’t be here.” The rush, the buzz and the feeling that you’re alive. I hope it never leaves me.