Great test shoot with the talented model Gabrielle Jones. She has recently moved from the Portland area to warmer climates and I wanted to get SOMETHING done with her before she left. As you can see, she’s awesome. Takes direction well, but also freely contributes to the camera a wide range of looks, expressions, and poses. Keep on eye on this one- She’s on fire! Great thanks to Jayda Klingerman for assistance, styling, and for the four-arm effect! Great work all around…
Spotted on a portion of fence that was still standing in the overgrown front yard of the little house in the canyon; a bright swipe of chartreuse-colored lichen, which stood out in lovely contrast against the aged and bone-dry fence posts.
Whereas the rest of the other windows in the little house in the canyon were at least partially broken, this window was completely intact. To further add to the intrigue of this window was the lace curtain adorning the interior and obscuring the view of the demolished and deteriorating kitchen within. This particular window is almost like a window into the past, and gives a glimpse into what this home may have been like long before circumstance forced its abandonment.
Outside of the little homestead in the canyon, this time looking in through an open window that almost looks as if it had been flung open with wild abandon ages ago, and now is just hanging on until the inevitable surrender to gravity. Although there is evidence of the sun’s light through the cast of shadows against the side of the house, the light doesn’t seem to make it in much past the window’s threshold.
A number of abandoned buildings, barns, homesteads, and other leftover bits of humanity quickly become a haven for all kinds of animals. Owls, especially. I silently steadied myself against this hole and waited till it woke up and looked… right… at me!
And then, of course like that the owl was gone.
Another view of the hard-to-spot homestead, on approach. It was fascinating the way the “feel” of this place could change based on the angle, the position of the sun, or your proximity to it. Makes one wonder about the many memories those slowly deteriorating walls must hold, and the secrets they keep.
This abandoned homestead was barely even visible from the road; it is a wonder we spotted it in the first place. Void of any kind of driveway, we parked the car alongside the road and forged our own foot-path through the brush to get a closer look. This was the view upon our descent…
A different view of the schoolhouse out in Eastern Oregon, near Dufur. Gorgeous day for shooting such a wonderful old building. The post-production really brings out the emotional context of the location and the economic circumstances that have brought these great buildings to their present status.
Another shot of the schoolhouse near Dufur, OR. There were a number of baby birds in some really delicate-looking nests in there, which was kind of amazing considering how windy it gets. And there aren’t any doors, so it’s pretty windy inside, too. This was shot with a Lensbaby Composer, which is why the focal plane looks so wild. I really love that lens, especially for work like this. You should check them out sometime, right here in Portland, OR. Tell Keri I said hi!
The desert sun and wind can wreak havoc on wood, but at the same time- there’s a beautiful quality to this natural erosion. The stark contrast fits the mood and the location uniquely.
This is one of the more vivid scenes of industrial leftovers I came across in the Eastern Oregon desert. The years of sun and wind have seriously taken a toll on this old thresher or other piece of farm equipment. But at the same time, it’s pretty amazing looking, too.
Found this great old stump-village in Portland’s muddy but beautiful Tyron State Park. Despite the mud and muck from thousands of decomposed leaves, the weather has been amazingly good this winter… Well, until this last week- Back to business as usual, Pacific Northwest style!
Doing some goofy but creative stock photography in the studio. Weather aside, the shooting will continue! If you are interested in doing sommercial modeling, get in touch with me. I am always looking for good talent to assist me in building my portfolio. In turn, I can help you build your own portfolio. Call or email today!
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