Ghost Town Assignment

I have to admit I felt great pressure to come back with some good images of "Ghost Towns" yesterday. It's one thing to go out with camera in hand and kids in tow; you are bound to get good shots. I could feel the pressure mounting...it was 5:30, the light was super harsh and I just wasn't seeing much. But the beauty of photography is it only takes a moment to make it worth while.

I found an "abandoned" property off the desert highway and thought I'd check it out. Side note: I've been watching way to much of Austin Stevens and Bear Grylls (if you don't know those guys watch discovery channel) lately because as I'm walking around I'm watching for rattle snakes and turning over rocks looking for scorpions. I'm still a touch nervous as well because I don't know what is inside the house etc. I take a few terrible photogs from a distance and then remember the old adage that the closer the better. So I get right near a window (no glass of course) and a guy pops out from behind the window. I felt like I was in basic training for the police department and had to make a decision if that was the criminal or mother holding baby popping up from out of nowhere. You following me still?
Anyway, the guy starts saying I'm a man of peace, I'm a man of peace...I quickly respond me too...however, I also quipped that I have a mean Judo chop. So after a few minutes talking to my new friend Jaime, who was in transit to Torreon looking for work, I asked if I could take his photograph. He said "claro que si" (of course)

This is definitely my favourite image of the day and maybe of 2009 or ever. You can see his wallet on the window ledge and Jaime passing the time by shaving with a some sort of small sharp object while using a broken mirror to ensure he's got every last hair trimmed or in perfect place.


I know I'm supposed to be posting "ghost town" pictures, so here you go.
This was the house where Jaime was hanging out. You can see him in the window.



Just off the highway there is a church on top of a little hill. Every time I drive to Saltillo I see this church and have always been intrigued by it.



I hiked up to the top and shot this image from the front door.



On the way home I stopped to buy some melons and encountered these fellows. They wanted money from me to buy "Cheves" or beers in english. (I'm not sure if that's how you spell Cheves). These guys got fairly pushy at the end and I was glad to get in my car and get out of there.



I know there should be more photos of abandoned houses etc....I tried but didn't quite execute the assignment. However, it was so worth it to get that image of Jaime!

Stay tuned, I'll be posting the Melon shoot tomorrow.