Blog Archives

Desolation: Playground

That’s not snow.

It’s sand.

It’s also the most desolate playground that I’ve seen in quite a while.

Desert Shores, California
photographed 2.9.2022

the water is supreme

This is very good information – I can’t think of any reason why I’d want to purchase water that was NOT supreme.

Brawley, California
photographed 2.12.2022

being alone is all the hills can do

Sometimes the links that my brain forges between a photograph and a song are obscure, at best. Other times, they are painfully obvious.

This time it was “bein’ alone is all the hills can do” – from the song “Flying Shoes” by the amazingly talented Townes Van Zandt. I think this time the song selection was both of those things. OF COURSE I thought of “Flying Shoes” (who wouldn’t think of it?) but the exact line and its connection to the scene are a little more…fragile. Sort of like Townes was.

I took this photo while on a recent trip with Keith Skelton’s California Photography Workshops and Tours; we spent a fantastic few days shooting around the Salton Sea. And many thanks to Keith for his work as my photo assistant and shoe tosser.

Slab City, California
photographed 2.11.2022

that day we had winter

I had been wanting to photograph this scene for a few months. Every time I’d go by I’d say, “Next time I need to stop.” and then I never did. Then, on February 3, when there was a just a bit of snow, I did stop. And now that I think about it, this photo reminds me a lot of this one, from last month:

I think it’s that brown band at the horizon? Or maybe the fact that they are both in color? Or that they each have a mailbox? Or that my brain is sort of…different?

Lubbock County, Texas
photographed 2.3.2022
and 1.14.2022

Textures, matching

That’s the Dry Devils River*. And a weathered concrete bridge railing on South Concho Avenue. Over time, the textures of the two things have grown to mirror each other.

Sonora, Texas
photographed 1.27.2022

*Yes. The word “dry” is in the actual name of the river, if that tells you anything about its usual condition.