East to West in 30 days

[knifebox]

It sure feels good to be back!

But before anything else I would like to apologize for the way images will be posted in this thread. I'm just used to posting multiple images in a single thread to create continuity.

I was able to visit the US again after 16 years. The last time was when I was in high-school and we mainly went to touristy places with the whole family in tow. This time around, I have my own agenda, my own plans and my own destinations in mind.

So after 6 cities, 3 towns and 12,500 miles in between them, I'd like to share with you some of the images that I really enjoyed taking in my journey from East to West.

All images posted here were taken with a Lumix LX5, some while mounted on a Benro Travel Angel II Tripod. Some images necessitated the use of Hoya ND Filters (ND400 and/ or ND 64) and Lee ND Grads (0.9 Soft, 0.6 Soft/ Hard)

NYC

Flatiron bldg, Madison Square Park


Dough bakery, Stuyvesant, Brooklyn


5 Pointz Graffitti bldg, Long Island


Red Brick, Brooklyn

[pnodrog]

An interesting start - it seems architecture caught your attention more than people with this set.
I will watch your progress with interest.

[Shadowman]

Nice start for your series. The more the better.

[dje]

James I also find them to be a very interesting set of shots.

With the first, you might like to consider applying some perspective correction if you have suitable software. The light is great in this shot IMO.

I like the hooded guy in the graffiti shot. He seems to fit in very well with the graffiti !

I look forward to seeing some of your other shots.

Dave

[knifebox]

Worlds Fair, Flushing Meadows



Grand Central Terminal, Manhattan

[Ken Curtis]

Hi James. I live close to NYC and have shot the Flatiron building, 5 Pointz and Grand Central Terminal. All your shots are wonderful.

I like that you took the Flatiron building from a low position, and I like the trail of tail lights, the balance of the clock face with the billboard.

I agree with converting the image in Grand Central to B&W. Most of the colors in the terminal are dull and not interesting, so turning to B&W focuses the viewer on the shapes and lines and objects in the building.

[knifebox]

Thanks Ken!

A quick bus ride down south and we're in the DC/ Maryland/ Virginia area

National Harbor


Washington Memorial

[knifebox]

A couple more from the east coast

Jefferson Memorial


Washington Memorial



Jumped over to Vegas the week after

Red Rock Canyon, Nevada



[/quote]

[pnodrog]

Just had another look to see where you are at - looks like your having a great time with your camera - keep it up as I am sure you will.

[knifebox]

Thanks pnodrog!

Here's a couple more from Nevada

Lake Mead


Hoover Dam



After our brief stay in Vegas, we drove for 8 hours up to Reno. Took this along the way:

Walker Lake, Nevada

[knifebox]

I got into Reno at around 5pm. Had dinner with some friends, freshened up a bit and went to sleep early, because the next day, I was up by 2:30 in the morning to chase the sunrise in Mono Lake.

Mono Lake, Lee Vinning, California


Mono Lake is an Alkaline body of water at 6,300 feet above sea level. I got there right before the sunrise, almost didn't make it because I got overexcited and made a few blunders in the parking lot. The area surrounding the lake is covered by a marsh with really soft muck.



By this time, the sun is barely up and the temperature in this area was at -3 celsius. The water felt even colder as it seeped through my shoes, totally soaking my feet.





I wasn't able to see the bigger Tuffa Towers on the other side of the reserve. I'll just have to put it in my to do list when I go back. Besides, I had bigger fish to fry a few miles up north: Bodie Ghost Town

[knifebox]

Going on nothing but the suggestion of a good friend of mine, I drove for another 45 minutes from Mono Lake to the deserted town of Bodie.



When people were leaving Bodie, there were no moving companies in the area. People simply packed what they could on one wagon or truck and left the rest behind. That is why many of Bodie’s buildings still contain belongings that were left here years ago.



In 1962, after years of neglect, Bodie became a State Historic Park, and two years later the Ghost Town of Bodie was dedicated as a California Historic Site. It has also been designated a National Historic Site. Bodie is maintained in a state of what is termed “arrested decay,” which means the buildings are protected but not restored.

[dje]

Enjoying the journey James. You've got some very good shots there.

Dave