A popular uprising against a proposed highway through Seattle’s Arboretum in 1969 provides some of the most unique examples of abandonment in the city.  Unused roads and ramps that come to an abrupt end crisscross the marshland on the north end of the Arboretum.  Locals refer to them as the ghost . . . → Read More: Seattle’s ramps to nowhere]]>

A popular uprising against a proposed highway through Seattle’s Arboretum in 1969 provides some of the most unique examples of abandonment in the city.  Unused roads and ramps that come to an abrupt end crisscross the marshland on the north end of the Arboretum.  Locals refer to them as the ghost ramps or ramps to nowhere.

The proposed highway would have provided another route to the 1-90/I-5 interchange, thereby easing traffic around the University of Washington.  The plan to build the R. H. Thomson Expressway was rejected by by voters in 1972 amid concerns it would destroy large parts of the Arboretum, one of Seattle’s most beautiful parks.  Part of the construction of HWY520 in 1962 included ramps and interchanges to the proposed new highway (still in the planning stages), but were ultimately abandoned after the project was permanently scrapped in 1972.  What remains are the rarest of all urban ruins, an unfinished municipal project.

Being in the area is like being surrounded by quiet, gray monoliths.  The curved off ramps twist and turn, changing elevation and sweeping across the landscape. The spaces under the bridges have been taken over by vagrants and vandals, booze and beer bottles litter the ground.  Grass and weeds invade the lower levels of the concrete pylons, blurring the line between the advance of nature and man’s hand.

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The relocation from Denver to Seattle is complete.  My father-in-law and I were the advance team for the big move.  We arrived in Ballard 8 days before my wife and daughter so we could set up the house and make the transition as smooth as possible, and I am pleased to . . . → Read More: Whew.]]>

The relocation from Denver to Seattle is complete.  My father-in-law and I were the advance team for the big move.  We arrived in Ballard 8 days before my wife and daughter so we could set up the house and make the transition as smooth as possible, and I am pleased to say it was a success.  By the time they arrived, a vast majority of the work was done, leaving a few details that needed the full family input.

By Sunday, January 10, I had enough accomplished around the house to go shooting.  It was my first chance to explore the area  outside of the Seattle, and I was quite excited.  I headed north and west along the coast to the towns of Marysville, Laconner, and Bellingham.  Bellingham is a very large city and is worthy of many trips, but the shots I was able to get on this trip were a great start.  In Laconner, I found a beautifully weathered warehouse on the waterfront just a few yards from the main tourist drag.  It was falling down, but there were still plenty of stuff being stored inside.  The exterior walls were covered in blue/green moss, adding great texture to the scene.

In the days up the arrival of my family, I took an hour or two in the afternoon to get some shots of the very impressive Seattle skyline.  Since the sun goes down about 4pm this far north in the winter, golden hour comes very early.  Golden hour around here, of course, is more like gray hour.  But the light is still very good, and great shots can be had.  I imagine there will be a time where I will find shooting the Space Needle sort of boring, but for now it’s fantastic.  I have never had such an interesting element to work with on such a large scale.  I found a great location at Kerry Park in the Queen Anne neighborhood, as well as some great perspective shots from the beach at Alki.

In addition to the big move, the great new locations, and all of that stuff, I have launched the new Curb Appeal Photo site.  I am looking forward to building great relationships with the business community in our hew home.

Here are some shots from the past week:

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It was a very cold night to be out.  But with the full moon and the snow on the ground, it was the perfect chance do try some night time HDR shots.  City Park is near downtown Denver, very close the Natural History Museum.  When I started shooting, it was 13 degrees.  I . . . → Read More: City park at night, 13 degrees – Night HDR shots]]>

It was a very cold night to be out.  But with the full moon and the snow on the ground, it was the perfect chance do try some night time HDR shots.  City Park is near downtown Denver, very close the Natural History Museum.  When I started shooting, it was 13 degrees.  I shot for about an hour, walking quickly to keep the blood flowing.  On the technical aspect, I was able to get great results by adjusting my bracket towards an underexposure.  My lightest frame was only as bright as I wanted the final photo to be.  The result is deep detail in the shadows, a very cool effect.

Here is the slide show of all the shots from tonight:

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Santa Fe Doors, originally uploaded by RudyLopez.

Ask anyone that has been to Santa Fe, and they will tell you it is wonderful. Ask them to define what is ‘wonderful’ about it, and they cannot. It is that intangible feeling that makes Santa Fe a special . . . → Read More: In Focus: “Santa Fe Blue Door” by Rudy Lopez]]>

Santa Fe Doors, originally uploaded by RudyLopez.

Ask anyone that has been to Santa Fe, and they will tell you it is wonderful. Ask them to define what is ‘wonderful’ about it, and they cannot. It is that intangible feeling that makes Santa Fe a special place.