This is not, necessarily the gate to someone’s private garden. The sign says Maison Privee, Private House. It is on the grounds of La Caille Restaurant and Event Center in Sandy Utah. But, while coming up with the title for this post, I happened upon a review of the book and a preview of the 1993 film and it is now in my Netflix queue, as is A Little Princess. Go ahead. Laugh. But I’m getting pretty tired of all the Marvel and DC versions of our world. Time for a bit of rose tinted nostalgia.
OK, you must be wondering why the title- the tagline to the opening credits of The X Files. That’s simple. This abandoned home was less than a mile away from one of the gates to Area 51. And believe me, this was the most interesting thing we saw that day. Oh there were a couple dozen cows that stared at us as if we were aliens. And the weather changed drastically from a beautiful sunny day to thunder and lightning and hail, then back again. Other than that, nothing. No aliens, no alien space ships, no military presence, no men in black. We’ve been back 3 times within two weeks and there will be more photos in the weeks to come.
And more of the story will unfold.
(Native) American Graffiti
Two weeks ago, when I posted some graffiti in black and white, Joe Giordano commented that he thought it was a “Bold move to display this artwork in B&W but it really works.” Well, I think this piece works even better. In black and white, the artistry is even more obvious. You’re struck by the talent of the artist rather than just the colors. You can more appreciate the texture of the surface these artists deal with. What do you think?
Hotel Del Coronado San Diego, CA
Just wandering around the Hotel Del in 99 degree weather. Everyone but me seemed to be out on the beach or in the water. Everyone save for the employees setting up for a wedding.
So, I imagine I will have to explain the title of this post. For those of you who do not speak English, or do not speak it well (which is, sadly, most of us), an epiphany is a sudden insight into something, My epiphany, or sudden insight, came to me as I was looking at a multitude of other photos by other photographers. And I came to realize that I usually stand back from the subjects of my photos. I am an observer, distanced from my subject. I very rarely get right up in your face. But I found that the images that most stayed with me, left an impression, were those that involved the spectator in the scene. I thought f I had something, some object, in the foreground, as if obstructing your view, you would need to lean over or around that object. So I played hooky from work last Friday and drove down to Nelson, Nevada- which is about 1 hour southeast of us- with my wife and my camera.
This was my favorite image of the day. It is an epiphany that I will work on to perfect and to use as one might use any other tool in their camera bag.
There is a color version , if you care to view and compare.
Or not!
Fremont Street
Las Vegas NV
“The American people never carry an umbrella. They prepare to walk in eternal sunshine.” ~~ Al Smith
Mystic Falls
the glass-roofed atrium inside Sam’s Town Hotel and Gambling Hall
Las Vegas, NV
Fuji X-T1 JPG
18mm f/4 @1/6000 sec ISO 200
June 25, 2016
The town of Grafton is currently under renovation, which is removing all the authenticity that an historic ruin reflects. Still, there is the Grafton cemetery just outside of town that is the final resting place for a few dozen inhabitants of the time. The remaining buildings of the Grafton ghost town are a mix of authentic pioneer era structures and modern-built “period” movie sets constructed for the 1969 classic “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford. These buildings are clearly recognizable to fans of the movie. All are located on private property, and trespassing will likely bring a quick visit from a Washington County Sheriff’s deputy. (http://www.findagrave.com)
For a bit more local “color” please visit Photos By Emilio.
57 Chevy
June 24, 2016
Fuji X-T1 jpg
18mm f/4 at 1/3500 sec ISO 200
You know how I like to give credit to my wife whenever she tells me to wait for sunset or for the lighting to change or when she points out a picture she wants me to take? Well, she had nothing to do with this one. I was coming out of the gym after my morning workout and there was this 57 Chevy up against the far wall of the parking lot. All by itself. There was a small note on the windshield that said “Look and enjoy but please do not touch. So I didn’t. I just took about 10 photos from different angles but this one was my favorite. When you’re done, please go look at the color version at Photos By Emilio. It still needs a bit of work but I’m pretty proud of the processing! Let me know what you think.
Monochromia 
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