Trailer Park Girls

The last stop Shannon and I made while she was in town 

was actually the first location I ever took my camera. 

What a difference! And I don't just mean the scenery.

I remember feeling so awkward and clueless, having just 

acquired a DSLR camera and barely knowing how to use it

(or Lightroom...) while surrounded by 5 photographers, 

most of whom I was meeting for the first time. 

 Our timing was incredible and the exact opposite of my first trip,

having an entire golden hour of dramatic shadows and lens flares.

 We headed over to these old rusty and collapsed docks next.

Bird's everywhere, beautiful tree blossoms, 

and something sketchy to climb on.

 

After almost running right into him,

 we spent a ridiculous amount of time with both 

of our cameras 4 inches away from this guy's face.

 Then back to the city for some burritos and drinks.

 So, this is what 6 months of progress looks like.

I love being in a new exciting place with lots of things to do

while still being close enough to have friends come visit.

More days like this coming soon!

The Doctor is Out

 Stop number one in Detroit was an old abandoned hospital.

Built in 1974 and permanently closed almost 10 years ago in 2006, 

this building was pretty well trashed and gutted. But it was my first

hospital and my first time in the city and I was stoked!

Starting at the top.

 The outer rooms' windows were all removed,

making them feel more like open balconies.

 The floor was littered with paperwork, floppy disks, 

phones, and various other things.

 Check out Jason's blog soon for this shot I caught him taking.

 My favorite message on the walls.

 And the most metal gynecologist office ever.

 

Down to the lobby and out.

I'd love to see more preserved buildings for their historic value

as well as for the tools, decor, and other items left behind, but

I do really love the look of graffiti covered, crumbling structures.

Both are providing copious amounts of subject matter 

for me to hone my photography skills.

Stick around to watch.

DeHoCo

A Sunday in Detroit last weekend ended in the last place 

most people would want it to, but the best we could hope for.

Prison Property.

Maybe I've just watched too much OITNB but the whole

place felt like a TV set. A surreal setting that I can't say

I expect to find myself in again.

 When the doors closed in 2004 it had been a state women's 

correctional facility for almost 20 years, as seen in the 

pink decor of the classrooms and hallways.

In search of cell blocks, we headed toward the maximum 

security building in the distance. The overgrown grounds and fast

setting sun made for some of my favorite photos to date.

(Especially this one of Jason)

 We made our way around to an ominously guarded looking entrance...

and found the rows of bars we were looking for.

 Lights out. Time to go.

Daylight savings cut our trip a lot shorter than I would have 

liked, yet I couldn't have asked for a better day.

We made several other stops earlier in the day, so look

for more posts coming your way soon!