Paradise Cemetery

Some more shots from the Paradise Cemetery...

Out of Darkness.... Light!

This is one of the first shots that began my fascination with cemeteries.  Every one is unique and beautiful.  This one is in my home town of Paradise, California.

My favorite element of this photo is the symmetry of the two markers evenly spaced on either side of the tree.  Obviously, I created the black and white portion after the fact, but I think it adds to the dramatic theme of the photo.  I wanted to express how the death on and below the ground became vibrant life above the ground, thus visually expressing the cycle of life.

The Bridge In The Middle Of Nowhere

Photos taken April 2008

This is a trestle bridge near Greer, Arizona.  From what I understand, this is the path of a logging railroad that once ran through here.  I can tell you with certainty though, visiting in early April yields high winds and freezing temperatures.

 

The path of the railroad has been converted into a hiking path/forest road.  Obviously, the bridge was constructed for foot traffic only, but it's a pretty neat reminder of what once ran through here. 

London Bridge

I pulled the following from Wikipedia:

The 1831 London Bridge was the last project of engineer John Rennie and completed by his son, also named John Rennie. By 1962, the bridge was not structurally sound enough to support the increased load created by the level of modern traffic crossing it, and it was sold by the City of London.

The purchaser, Robert McCulloch, was the founder of Lake Havasu and the chairman of McCulloch Oil Corporation. McCulloch purchased the bridge to serve as a tourist attraction to his retirement real estate development at Lake Havasu City, which at that time was far off the usual tourist track. The idea was successful, bringing interested tourists and retirement home buyers to the area.

After relocation to America, the bridge was reconstructed in Lake Havasu City, a developed community on the east shore of Lake Havasu, a large reservoir on the Colorado River. The bridge was not reconstructed over a river, but rather it was rebuilt on land in a position between the main part of the city and Pittsburgh Point, at that time a peninsula jutting into Lake Havasu. Once completed, the Bridgewater Channel Canal was dredged under the bridge and flooded, separating Pittsburgh Point from the city creating an island. The bridge thus now traverses a navigable shortcut between the Thompson Bay part of Lake Havasu south of Pittsburgh Point, and the rest of Lake Havasu to the north.

The bridge facing stones were carefully disassembled and each piece was numbered. After the bridge was dismantled it was transported to Merrivale Quarry where 15 to 20 cm was sliced off many of the original stones. These were shipped to the bridge's present location and re-assembly began in 1968. The original stone was used to clad a concrete structure, so that the bridge is no longer the original after which it is modeled. The reconstruction took slightly over three years and was completed in late 1971. Today, it serves as a popular tourist attraction for the city.

Recent years have seen a large amount of development in the area of the bridge to increase tourist interest. The original "English Village", a quaint English-style open air mall with hedge maze and historical museum, has deteriorated, with sections leveled.

As you can see in the photo below, which shows supports under the road deck, that each one is numbered as described above.

For some reason, we always seem to go to Lake Havasu City in the middle of summer.  The average temperature during the summer there is about 3 million degrees.  Walking down along the channel where the bridge is, you get the extra added benefit of humidity.  If you can get past the lack of comfort, the area does afford a neat walk.  Did I mention it's really dark, not very populated, and you can't help but feel like Jack The Ripper is stalking you?

Freeway

I took this candid shot of our cat, Freeway, just after it finished raining on Saturday.  He has an affinity for sniffing the air that comes in through the open door. 

I wish I could have had the screen squared up better, but I was laying on the ground and Freeway doesn't sit still much!  I think it looks cool anyway...

Through the Cables

I grew up near San Francisco and used to visit often.  The city holds a special place with me because it is perhaps the most culturally diverse places on Earth where everyone is accepted.  No matter which demographic anyone associates with, there is a place for them in San Francisco. 

This photo was taken on a bluff where the North end of the Golden Gate Bridge meets land.  I've always called it Bunker Hill, but I've also heard it called The Headlands.  Officially the area is the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.  This is where many famous photographs of the bridge and the city have been taken.  The view is spectacular but is usually very crowded, so be prepared to fight for a parking spot.

I took this shot because I felt it offers a unique view from the area.  Although there are thousands of shots from here, I haven't seen one through the cables that emphasizes the bridge tower as well as the city lights.  I like to think of it as an "outside looking in" perspective on the city.  What's going on over there while I'm up here where it is quiet?

A few months ago I created a website (www.AdamBarnesPhotography.net) to showcase my photographs.  I use the site as my gallery which is great, but I also wanted a better and more public place to share the passion that goes into each photograph. 

Last October I tagged along on a business trip my wife was going on to St. Louis.  I try not to pass up an opportunity to go somewhere new.  Not only do I enjoy a change of scenery, but I crave new locales to shoot photos of. 

Cemeteries are high on the short list of my very favorite places to shoot.  I knew as soon as we planned the trip that I wanted to find cemeteries to visit.  After all, I had all day to myself while my wife was in business meetings.  Little did I know that the cemetery I chose, Bellafontaine Cemetery, would demand the entire day and then some.  Never before had I seen one place with more amazing sculptures than this.  I will be posting many photos from this particular cemetery.

  

This particular monument stands about ten feet tall and features a classically sculpted angel  in a mournful pose.  The statue is positioned such that she is looking down at you as you walk past, and you can feel her gaze.  This monument guards the body of John and Louisa Ringen.  I tried to learn more about them, but didn't have much luck.  As always, please feel free to share any information you may have.