A Cross Country Photography Project

[Drew Harty]

Hello Everyone,

I am undertaking a project photographing Retail Landscapes across the country.  I started four days ago and will be traveling for the next ninety days to towns across the country. Thus far the photography has been in a word overwhelming.  There is such an abundance of subject matter that it is a challenge to keep up with the schedule I set.  I am working with a MFDB on a Mamiya 645 and an Arca Swiss 6x9, shooting about 10 Gb too 16 Gb of files daily and editing nightly to review work as completed.

You can learn more about the project at:  www.theretaillandscape.com

I am also posting images as I travel on Tumblr:  http://retaillandscape.tumblr.com

Any comments about the work is welcomed.

Thanks,
Drew Harty

[Ed Foster, Jr.]

Drew,

This is a most interesting and ambitious project. The best of luck with it and hope you make a swing though Florida. I look forward to following your progress.

Best Regards,
Ed

[FredBGG]

Interesting project.

Not sure where you are headed, but there is some interesting stuff here in Cali.

Here are a few worth considering....

Morro Bay... there is some big retail with the iconic Morro Bay rock and possibly the power station in the background.
http://www.frontstreetinn.net/fsiimages/plant.jpg

Interesting off market or abandoned retail in the Salton sea area

They are building/renovating a retail area in Malibu with big nature in the background

You might find this website interesting to see it there is any interesting coastline retail like marine gas stations etc..

http://www.californiacoastline.org/

arial photos of the entire Cali coast, military sites excluded.

Backersfield and lake isabella is interesting too.

[epines]

Great project. My only comment is, stick to your vision, and you'll capture images no one else would, even if they were photographing the same place. Love the people driving out of the Kohl's parking lot.

[FMueller]

Very Nice. I've got a thing for gas stations, I think a George Tice picture did it to me.

[Drew Harty]

Hello Ed,

Thank you so much for your donation to my project.  Every bit helps as I am a freelance photographer and filmmaker self-funding the project.  I also have an active grant on USA Projects where people can donate for gifts and learn more about the project: www.usaprojects.org/project/the_retail_landscape

I have photographed in Fort Meyers, Fl and hope to spend time photographing in the pan handle area.

Thanks,

Drew

[Drew Harty]

Hello Fred,

I am traveling across the southern US from New Orleans west to LA then north through the agricultural valley to San Francisco.

Drew

[Drew Harty]

Excellent advice about sticking to my vision, though difficult to do.  Shooting daily doesn't leave much time for reflection.  I have spoken with a collector interested in possibly underwriting a book if I can create if I can create a compelling, unified body of work.  Keep an eye on my Tumblr page to see how I am doing: http://retaillandscape.tumblr.com

Thanks,

Drew