Ghost Towns of Nevada: Goldfield and Gold Point NV; Car Forest, NV; Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, Inyo Forest, CA; CARMA Telescope Array, July 2014
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Summer 2014. You've just bought a new camera and lens. You love night sky, light painting, and long exposure photography. You have a car. What do you do? Yeah. Road trip. I visited out-of-the-way ghost towns, a strange art installation in the desert, the noble Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest high up in the White Mountains, and the CARMA telescope array in the Inyo Forest, armed with my camera, tripod, flashlights, and my trusty car. These first two photos are a sneak preview of some of the images to come. Note: All of the "light painting", the colored light work that you willl see in these pages were done during the exposure, and are not Photoshop creations. ~~~~~~ A surreal cosmic bus ride to the stars. |
A sneak preview of some of the many images to come! The gorgeous night sky, largely free from light pollution, as seen from the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest. Up, up, up in the White Mountains of California exist a forest of trees that have flourished in the face of high, arid conditions at 11000 feet/3350 m in altitude. Many of these trees live for 5000 years, and even after dying, can remain for 5000 more years, remaining. In other words, it's quite possible that some trees have been standing for as long as 10000 years, long long before Lucille Ball roamed the earth. :D It was cloudy when I took this set of photos, giving a slightly more eerie, surreal sort of feel in many of the images. I hope you enjoy them! |
Wednesday 9 June 2014: The drive from Route 168, which snakes through the White Mountains through the Inyo Forest, is easily one of my favorite drives. This pops out at Route 266, crossing the California-Nevada border, and continues to go through beautiful scenes such as this, then snaking back through more mountains on Route 264 on the way up to Route 95, which goes north to Goldfield, NV. |
10 July 2014: But before I headed out for the evening, I talked to Lisa. She had returned from the vet. Our three-legged cat Willie had cancer of the mouth, below his tongue. The vet gave him only a few weeks, maybe months, to live. This was like a punch to the gut. I didn't feel like going out to photograph, but forced myself to, telling myself that I had driven all this way out to do just this. After a while, the creativity kicked in and I photographed well into the evening. And now, some notes about the photo and background info: |
Now almost a ghost town, Goldfield once was the largest city in Nevada, a boom town fueled by the lust for gold. Many rusting cars, stamp mills, and equipment can be seen, and one can get a map of the historic sites almost anywhere in town. The inhabitants that remain are kind but don't mince words, the sort of people who don't care who you are as long as you are nice, and shoot from the hip. I like that. Light painting night photos of this nature are often best done near a full moon, and although often plagued with cloudy skies on this evening, I kept shooting, clear skies or no. All colored light work was done during the exposure, and is not a Photoshop creation. However, I liked the feel of black and white for this image, so I decided to go with it! Title: Goldfield Days, Antique Car Nights (3138) Photo: Ken Lee Photography Info: Nikon D610, AF-S Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8G ED lens at 14mm, 190 seconds, f/8, ISO 250. 2014-07-10 21:43. Light painted with LED flashlight and SB-600 with gels. Location: Goldfield, NV, USA ~~~~~~~ Un pueblo fantasma en el desierto de Nevada. Yo pintada de luz la casita, el coche y el tren, pero en el último momento decidí que la imagen se veía mejor en blanco y negro! Título: Goldfield Days, Antique Car Nights (3138) Foto: Ken Lee Photography Info:. Nikon D610, AF-S Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8G ED en 14mm, 190 segundos, f / 8, ISO 250 10/07/2014 21:43. Luz pintada con la linterna del LED y el SB-600 con geles. Ubicación: Goldfield, NV, EE.UU. #night #nikon #kenlee #goldfield #lightpainting#nightskyphotography #desert #nevada #ghosttown#miningtown |
A tardis from Dr. Who? Antique subway station entrances from what appears to be from a London subway station. What are they doing here? Well, no matter! I love it! More fun stuff to photograph here in the almost-ghost town of Goldfield, once was the largest city in Nevada, a boom town that was fueled by the lust for gold. Light painting photos of this nature are often best done near a full moon, and although mostly plagued with cloudy skies, I kept shooting, clear skies or no, and some still came out well. |
This was less than ideal situations for light painting photos. It was very very dark and occasionally raining. I kept shooting anyway. An old, old firetruck outside Fire Station #1 in Goldfield, Nevada, a former gold mining town that became the largest city in Nevada in the early 1900s, and was the leading political and economic powerhouse in the state at the time. Light painting photos of this nature are often best done near a full moon, and although occasionally plagued with cloudy skies, I kept shooting, clear skies or no. |
This arch is all the remains of the Sideboard Saloon on Main Street, when Goldfield was the largest, most influential city in Nevada in the early 1900s. Light painting photos of this nature are often best done near a full moon, and although often plagued with cloudy skies, I tried to work with it the best I could. The green and blue light painting was done during the exposure, and is not a Photoshop creation. This is the Sideboard Saloon ruin, originally built in 1907 by saloon keeper Patrick Mullin, with the doorway arch all that remains of what was once a one story wood building. The stone arch entrance still stands, and so I photographed it in the evening. Light painting photos of this nature are often best done near a full moon, and although often plagued with cloudy skies, I tried to work with it the best I could. The green and blue light painting was done during the exposure, and is not a Photoshop creation. Title: Archboard Saloon Arch (3152) Photo: Ken Lee Photography Info: Nikon D610, AF-S Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8G ED lens at 14mm, 96.5 seconds, f/8, ISO 400. 2014-07-10 23:03. I used an LED flashlight and SB-600 with gels to light paint. All colored light work was done during the exposure, and is not a Photoshop creation. Location: Goldfield, NV, USA ~~~ Fotografía nocturna con la pintura de luz en el desierto de Nevada, EE.UU. en el pueblo fantasma de Goldfield. Título: Archboard Saloon Arch (Arco de Saloon Archboard) Foto: Ken Lee Photography Info:. Nikon D610, AF-S Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8G ED en 14mm, 96,5 segundos, f / 8, ISO 400 10/07/2014 23:03. He utilizado un flash LED y el SB-600 con geles a la pintura de luz. Todo el trabajo ligero de color se hizo durante la exposición, y no es una creación de Photoshop. Ubicación: Goldfield, NV, EE.UU. #night #nikon #kenlee #goldfield #lightpainting #nightskyphotography #desert #nevada #ghosttown#miningtown |
The Goldfield Hotel is by far the largest, most dominant building in Goldfield, and at one point was considered one of the finest hotels west of the Mississippi. Built in 1907 at the height of the gold rush, the hotel is now thought by many to be haunted, and has been featured in TV shows. The hotel is currently not open for looking around, but plans are underway for reconstruction. I light painted this, although some of the lighting is from the nearby streetlights. Light painting photos of this nature are often best done near a full moon, and although occasionally plagued with dark cloudy skies, I kept shooting, clear skies or no. Title: Goldfield Hotel (3154) Photo: Ken Lee Photography Info: Nikon D610, AF-S Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8G ED lens at 14mm, 97 seconds, f/8, ISO 400. 2014-07-10 23:14. I used an LED flashlight and SB-600 with gels to light paint. All colored light work was done during the exposure, and is not a Photoshop creation. Location: Goldfield, NV, USA ~~~ Fotografía nocturna con la pintura de luz en el desierto de Nevada, EE.UU. en el pueblo fantasma de Goldfield. Se trata de una instalación artística en el medio de la nada. Asimismo, el artista no era dueño de la tierra. :D Título: Goldfield Hotel (3154) Foto: Ken Lee Photography Info:. Nikon D610, AF-S Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8G ED a 14mm, 97 segundos, f / 8, ISO 400 07/10/2014 23:14. He utilizado un flash LED y el SB-600 con geles a la pintura de luz. Todo el trabajo ligero de color se hizo durante la exposición, y no es una creación de Photoshop. Ubicación: Goldfield, NV, EE.UU. #night #nikon #kenlee #goldfield #lightpainting #nightskyphotography #desert #nevada #ghosttown #miningtown #haunted #goldfieldhotel |
Perhaps you see a ghostly apparition here? Some say the Goldfield Hotel is haunted. The Goldfield Hotel is by far the largest, most dominant building in Goldfield, and at one point was considered one of the finest hotels west of the Mississippi. The hotel, built in 1907 during the gold rush in these parts, is currently not open for looking around, but plans are underway for reconstruction. I light painted this, although some of the lighting is from the nearby streetlights. Light painting photos of this nature are often best done near a full moon, and although occasionally plagued with cloudy skies, I kept shooting, clear skies or no. All colored light work was done during the exposure, and is not a Photoshop creation. However, I decided that I wanted a near-black and white feel to this, although you can still see a hint of the light painting behind the, uh, apparition. Title: Haunted Hotel (3156) Photo: Ken Lee Photography Info: Nikon D610, AF-S Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8G ED lens at 14mm, 378 seconds, f/8, ISO 400. 2014-07-10 23:24. I used an LED flashlight and SB-600 with gels to light paint. All colored light work was done during the exposure, and is not a Photoshop creation. Do you see a ghostly apparition here in the front of the hotel? Location: Goldfield, NV, USA ~~~ Fotografía nocturna con la pintura de luz en el desierto de Nevada, EE.UU. en el pueblo fantasma de Goldfield. Título: Hotel de Fantasmas (3156) Foto: Ken Lee Photography Info:. Nikon D610, AF-S Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8G ED en 14mm, 378 segundos, f / 8, ISO 400 10/07/2014 23:24. He utilizado un flash LED y el SB-600 con geles a la pintura de luz. Todo el trabajo ligero de color se hizo durante la exposición, y no es una creación de Photoshop. ¿Ve usted una aparición fantasmal aquí en la parte frontal del hotel? Ubicación: Goldfield, NV, EE.UU. #night #nikon #kenlee #goldfield #lightpainting #nightskyphotography #desert #nevada #ghosttown #miningtown #haunted #hotel #goldfieldhotel |
A distorted wide angle shot of the Columbia Bar, a frame house which was formerly an early residence in Goldfield. In 1996 it was remodeled into the Cactus Club and later renamed the Columbia Bar. It no longer appears to be open. But you can say that about a lot of things in Goldfield, NV, a tiny town that was formerly the largest city in Nevada during the early 1900s, when gold was found in them thar hills. Now less than 500 people remain. And apparently none of them drink or eat here. I've seen photos that appear to have gravesites to the left, but I don't remember seeing them there. Then again, it was dark, and I can't see everything all the time. I'm off the hook. :D Title: Bar Food (3158) Photo: Ken Lee Photography Info: Nikon D610, AF-S Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8G ED lens at 14mm, 132 seconds, f/8, ISO 320. 2014-07-10 23:44. I used an LED flashlight and SB-600 with gels to light paint. All colored light work was done during the exposure, and is not a Photoshop creation. Location: Goldfield, NV, USA ~~~ Fotografía nocturna con la pintura de luz en el desierto de Nevada, EE.UU. en el pueblo fantasma de Goldfield. Título: Bar Food (3158) Foto: Ken Lee Photography Info:. Nikon D610, AF-S Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8G ED en 14mm, 132 segundos, f / 8, ISO 320 10/07/2014 23:44. He utilizado un flash LED y el SB-600 con geles a la pintura de luz. Todo el trabajo ligero de color se hizo durante la exposición, y no es una creación de Photoshop. Ubicación: Goldfield, NV, EE.UU. #night #nikon #kenlee #goldfield #lightpainting #nightskyphotography #desert #nevada #ghosttown #miningtown |
Friday morning 11 July 2014: How this bus stays up, I'm not sure. I came up here Thursday evening. There were two photographers, Matt and Justin, already here, but they left shortly afterwards for Bodie ghost town in California. I immediately began shooting, a bit dissatisfied with the shots I had taken the previous night, as the moon was blotted out by huge thunder clouds, and everything was very dark, not so conducive for this sort of light painting photography. Tonight was much better! |
A surreal cosmic bus ride to the stars. Outside the historic mining town of Goldfield, NV, in a desert dotted by Joshua Trees, you can see a field of old cars that are wildly painted and jammed into the ground at unlikely angles. This is the International Car Forest of the Last Church, created by Michael "Mark" Rippie and painted by Chad Sorg. In July 2014, I stayed in Goldfield and created night photos with light painting to enhance the bold colors of the painted cars even more. Light painting photos of this nature are often best done near a full moon, and although occasionally plagued with cloudy skies, I managed to get some photos I was happy with here at this strange art installation. With a nod of gratitude to Troy Paiva and Lance Keimig, two photographers who largely pioneered this sort of light painting approach. Title: Starry Bus Ride (3166) Photo: Ken Lee Photography Info: Nikon D610, AF-S Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8G ED lens at 14mm, 134 seconds, f/8, ISO 320. 2014-07-11 00:28. I used an LED flashlight and SB-600 with gels to light paint. All colored light work was done during the exposure, and is not a Photoshop creation. Location: International Car Forest of the Last Church, Goldfield, NV, USA ~~~ Fotografía nocturna con pintura de luz en el desierto de Nevada, EE.UU. fuera el pueblo fantasma de Goldfield. Se trata de una instalación artística en el medio de la nada. Asimismo, el artista no era dueño de la tierra. :D Título: Starry Bus Ride (3166) Foto: Ken Lee Photography Info:. Nikon D610, AF-S Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8G ED en 14mm, 134 segundos, f / 8, ISO 320 11/07/2014 doce y veintiocho. He utilizado un flash LED y el SB-600 con geles a la pintura de luz. Todo el trabajo ligero de color se hizo durante la exposición, y no es una creación de Photoshop. Ubicación: International Car Forest of the Last Church (Bosques de Coches Internacional de la última Iglesia), Goldfield, NV, EE.UU. #night #carforest #nikon #kenlee #goldfield #lightpainting #nightskyphotography #desert #nevada #stars |
Not a sight you see every day! :D Night sky light painted photo in the Nevada desert. All colored light work was done during the exposure, and is not a Photoshop creation. ~~~ Outside the historic mining town of Goldfield, NV, in a desert dotted by Joshua Trees, you can see a field of old cars that are wildly painted and jammed into the ground at unlikely angles. This is the International Car Forest of the Last Church, created by Michael "Mark" Rippie and painted by Chad Sorg. In July 2014, I stayed in Goldfield and created night photos with light painting to enhance the bold colors of the painted cars even more. Light painting photos of this nature are often best done near a full moon, and although occasionally plagued with cloudy skies, I managed to get some photos I was happy with here at this strange art installation. With a nod of gratitude to Troy Paiva and Lance Keimig, two photographers who largely pioneered this sort of light painting approach. Title: Red Ride Rolls Wrong Way (3171) Photo: Ken Lee Photography Info: Nikon D610, AF-S Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8G ED lens at 14mm, 190 seconds, f/8, ISO 250. 2014-07-11 00:52. I used an LED flashlight and SB-600 with gels to light paint. All colored light work was done during the exposure, and is not a Photoshop creation. Location: International Car Forest of the Last Church, Goldfield, NV, USA ~~~ Fotografía nocturna con pintura de luz en el desierto de Nevada, EE.UU. fuera el pueblo fantasma de Goldfield. Se trata de una instalación artística en el medio de la nada. Asimismo, el artista no era dueño de la tierra. :D With a nod of gratitude to Troy Paiva and Lance Keimig, two photographers who largely pioneered this sort of light painting approach. Título: Red Ride Rolls Wrong Way (3171) Foto: Ken Lee Photography Info:. Nikon D610, AF-S Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8G ED en 14mm, 190 segundos, f / 8, ISO 250 11/07/2014 doce y cincuenta y dos. He utilizado un flash LED y el SB-600 con geles a la pintura de luz. Todo el trabajo ligero de color se hizo durante la exposición, y no es una creación de Photoshop. Ubicación: International Car Forest of the Last Church (Bosques de Coches Internacional de la última Iglesia), Goldfield, NV, EE.UU. #night #carforest #nikon #kenlee #goldfield #lightpainting #nightskyphotography #desert #nevada #stars |
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Ghost Towns of Nevada: Goldfield and Gold Point NV;Car Forest, NV; Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, Inyo Forest, CA; CARMA Telescope Array, July 2014
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