The Long Road Ahead

[Donald]

For us poor Brits who live on a small island we can only look across the Atlantic and admire these miles and miles of dead straight roads that our North American cousins travel on. Must be something to do with the desire to be in a road movie, but these long straight roads fascinate me.

Anyway, at its western end, California Highway 167 has got a 21-mile dead straight bit of road. The same road then becomes Nevada Highway 359 when it crosses the state line on its way to Hawthorne.

I've got some pics of the 21 mile straight that I still have to process. But this is much further along the route, in Nevada. I just loved the scene as I crested the rise. Your thoughts about how that has translated in to an image will, as always, be welcomed.

[Mike Buckley]

It never occurred to me to think of the impressions people who live on islands that are not 21 miles long in the longest direction would have after being able to see a straight road for that distance.

You know I like layers, so check off that item on your list! I also like the perspective of this composition.

Consider eliminating the two cars at the top of the hill, as they detract for me from the ideal position of the other car coming down the hill.

[Donald]

Consider eliminating the two cars at the top of the hill, as they detract for me from the ideal position of the other car coming down the hill.

I agree. But you would leave the one coming down the hill, because I wondered about that too?

[Shadowman]

Those long stretches of road can become tedious while driving on a bleak gray day, throw a splash of sunshine and everything changes. Hard to tell but it looks like one of those days in this image. Nice composition.

[mknittle]

For us poor Brits who live on a small island we can only look across the Atlantic and admire these miles and miles of dead straight roads that our North American cousins travel on. Must be something to do with the desire to be in a road movie, but these long straight roads fascinate me.

Anyway, at its western end, California Highway 167 has got a 21-mile dead straight bit of road. The same road then becomes Nevada Highway 359 when it crosses the state line on its way to Hawthorne.

I've got some pics of the 21 mile straight that I still have to process. But this is much further along the route, in Nevada. I just loved the scene as I crested the rise. Your thoughts about how that has translated in to an image will, as always, be welcomed.

I really like it Donald. Too bad I wasn't into photography when I was a truck driver.

[mknittle]

Those long stretches of road can become tedious while driving on a bleak gray day, throw a splash of sunshine and everything changes. Hard to tell but it looks like one of those days in this image. Nice composition.

Or driving 510 miles a day, day after day

[Mike Buckley]

Yes, I would definitely leave the car that is nearly halfway down the hill.

[madcrow]

Great image. In Ireland we wouldn't recognise a straight if we we saw one.

[NorthernFocus]

Excellent, Donald. It says western US all over it. Right down to the heat waves on the road.

[AlwaysOnAuto]

Ah, I like this, but I really enjoyed seeing the long straight roads of Middle America this past summer where the land is a tad flatter and the crops a lot greener.
If the cars weren't there I'd be wanting to light up the radar detector and setting the speedo at, well, a lot higher than it should be let's just say.

[John 2]

Only three cars on a stretch of road like that. Now there is a novelty we don't often see in the UK - if ever. Nice capture Donald. Can't add much to what has already been said.

[Donald]

Excellent, Donald. It says western US all over it. Right down to the heat waves on the road.

That's as good a compliment as I could have asked for. I am so pleased .

Thank you all. I'm really glad that this has attracted the positive comments that it has. I looked at it long and hard - probably too long and too hard - and started to doubt the quality. But when those two cars come out, as they will in the final version, I know I've got one that's worth promoting.

[mknittle]

Upon looking at it again it really is timeless with the old power poles and the cars being far enough away it coile be the 1940s or yesterday. very well done.

[JBW]

Moving from Canada to the Philippines I can relate. Hungry Hill in B. C. Canada rises close to a mile in a straight line.

[ccphoto]

I too am reminded of a 1940's road with a couple of old beaters chugging along. There is a place where the light foreground separates from the darker background and while that is not at all unnatural, there is a line that has been created, thin as it may be between the two spaces. The only thing I can imagine is that you lightened one area or darkened one and where you made the selection, a line was left. I'm not sure you'd see it from a galloping pony, but it is...there.

Can't wait to see your Mono Lake shots. No other reason to drive 167

[mugge]

Great image. In Ireland we wouldn't recognise a straight if we we saw one.

Waaaaat!!!

[mugge]

Donald, I would crop 75mm off the top. I think that the desert and the road has such a gritty look it seems a waste to have it contrasted by too much sky.
Cheers Ole

[Donald]

Donald, I would crop 75mm off the top. I think that the desert and the road has such a gritty look it seems a waste to have it contrasted by too much sky.
Cheers Ole

But then it wouldn't be in a square format!

[Donald]

Can't wait to see your Mono Lake shots. No other reason to drive 167

Aaww, poor old 167. For me, having travelled 6000+ miles to be there, just driving along the road for its own sake, was reward enough.

I actually found it hard to get good pics around Mono Lake. But there are some that I've still to get to in terms of processing.

There is also the story of me getting too close to the edge for a shot .... at 6:30am with no-one else around. I thought I was safe in hard ground ... until my left leg disappeared, up above my knee, into the mud. My right leg then followed as I tried to get myself out. It was a bit scary, but I'm still alive .... and no camera gear got damaged.

There is a place where the light foreground separates from the darker background and while that is not at all unnatural, there is a line that has been created, thin as it may be between the two spaces. The only thing I can imagine is that you lightened one area or darkened one and where you made the selection, a line was left.

I think I'm seeing it. I don't dispute the statement at all, because I know this has happened in the past. I need to see how this looks when I print it.

[ccphoto]

Clyde Butcher a known SE USA photographer had a similar experience in the mud with him, his very large tripod upon which was mounted an 8x10 Deardorf and a rather inquisitive alligator moving in on him. Fortunately his assistants were able to free him and camera with literally less than 10 seconds to spare.

Glad you are safe. Mono Lake's shoreline is treacherous in places. Never had that experience but have witnessed it. Mono Lake is an extremely difficult place to shoot both for the mud and in general for decent access. 6:30am though was the perfect time.