Abandoned - Route 66 (in the American "Hipster" style)

[Dave (Isle of Skye)]

Hi all,

I have watched a few photographers in the US over the years, who create these "American Hipster" style of images and it has obviously rubbed off on me, as I found myself enjoying doing quite a lot of it when we were over there.

In fact here is a link to one of the videos I had watched on this subject, from around 8 years ago and which just happens to feature the exact location where I took these shots shown below. Which is amazing, as I honestly just stumbled on it by accident. Although even though I didn't remember seeing it before, at the time I was shooting it. I must admit that I did keep thinking, this place looks familiar???

So here are a few of the images from just one of the locations, that I took influenced by this style, on our recent trip across the US.

I think the big difference with this "Hipster" style of photography, as compared to normal landscape photography. Is that in landscape, you/we are trying to minimise clutter and distil the image down into its most essential and hopefully beautiful elements. Whereas with "Hipster" photography, you want the opposite. You want to include all the clutter, the overhead wires, the grunge and the detritus we humans leave around us - as that is what gives these images, that feeling of forlorn, wasteland abandonment - think Mad Max etc.

Yet when I look online for a definition of this type of work, I am told it is more akin to a type of, or subset of "Street Photography".

Yet I am sure, if I put this type of image in the street section here on Lula, I would quickly be told, how this type of image does not fit and isn't real "Street photography" - yes, I am talking to you Russ 

I also like how the Route 66 road marking in the first image, has just been freshly repainted, even though the gas station and buildings behind etc, are all falling into a graffiti covered ruin.

regards 

Dave

[degrub]

"hand of man" maybe.
#3 nails it.
nothing stirs for me in the others.
My grandfather, as a young man in the 1920's , rode his Indian across the gravel roads from Kansas to the West Coast and back just for the adventure. There was a lot of walking too.

[Dave (Isle of Skye)]

"hand of man" maybe.
#3 nails it.
nothing stirs for me in the others.
My grandfather, as a young man in the 1920's , rode his Indian across the gravel roads from Kansas to the West Coast and back just for the adventure. There was a lot of walking too.

Yes the 3rd image is definitely my favourite too.

Dave

[langier]

It's funny how you posted these... I was watching SoCal photographer Nick Carver on YouTube last night and he spent the day shooting these buildings on film--6x6, 6x7, Polaroid (b&w and color) and also with his 6x17 view camera--until he ran out of film, then shot the sunset with his iPhone.

My last journey on the Mother Road west from Amboy was a couple of years ago and I, too, shot the same location, mainly with my iPhone to be different and to have some fun.

I've traveled most of the route from LA to Chicago but always in sections for much of the last 40 years. Lots have been lost, especially in The West and the section between this location and Amboy is endangered as most of the bridges crossing the dry washes are made of wood and are at the end of their structural lives and their weight ratings are extremely limited.

A lot of the places between San Bernardino and the Arizona border have also been reclaimed by time and the elements so get your photos while you can!

[Slobodan Blagojevic]

Isn't what you call "American hipster" style otherwise known as New Topographics?

[Dave (Isle of Skye)]

Isn't what you call "American hipster" style otherwise known as New Topographics?

Yes Slobodan, I think you are correct - although I do think there is a blurring between the two styles. But these are definitely leaning towards the "New Topographic" end of the scale. A lot...

So yes, you are right again..

Here are some more in whatever style this is, if anyone is interested.

I had a lot of fun grabbing these shots. Just wandering around, handheld and using deep depth DoF, which I could get away with due to the power of the desert sun. I had a real blast. 

It's funny how you posted these... I was watching SoCal photographer Nick Carver on YouTube last night and he spent the day shooting these buildings on film--6x6, 6x7, Polaroid (b&w and color) and also with his 6x17 view camera--until he ran out of film, then shot the sunset with his iPhone.

Yes Nick is certainly worth a watch.

In fact I emailed him shortly after my return to blighty, by replying to an old email exchange we had over 8 years ago about is liquor store shot, suggesting he might want to go back and reshoot these old buildings. Or at least what is left of them, because they are really becoming dilapidated now and hence, even more photogenic for this type of work.

Regards all 

Dave