Photographing Ghost Towns
Preserving the Old West
Ghost Towns are really fun to explore and even more fun to photograph! They can usually be reached by the family car or SUV. They don't run away like wild horses. And unlike bears, you don't need a super telephoto lens so they won't try to make you Their lunch! Also, depending on their location, most of the time you'll have them all to yourself. Well, you and the ghosts, most likely!
Before visiting a possible photo location, do your homework! Find out as much about the location as you can. The history of the place may supprise you. What was it known for? How was the town laid out? Where were the mills and surrounding mines located? And who lived there? Talk to Rangers, locals, history buffs, Old Timers (the best places to find these people is at one of the the local watering holes) and other photographers. By following my own advice, I found out some interesting information about one of the ghost towns we planned to photograph.
In fact, the daughter of Thomas Walsh, a miner who made his fortune when he discovered the famous Camp Bird Mine, Evalyn Walsh-McLean, was the last private owner of the Hope Diamond. Bet you didn't know that! We spent the better part of the afternoon and evening photographing the Duncan/Walsh house. The three story mansion is in extremely good condition after surviving the snows of almost 125 Rocky Mountain Winters.
Best Times to Shoot
The best time to capture the most stunning images is at sunrise and sunset, when you can take advantage of what is called the "Golden Light". This is when you'll see all of the Professional Photographers out and about!
But don't think this is the only time to make great pictures. An overcast day can yield some great chances for exceptional photographs. Sometimes referred to as Nature's Soft Box, these conditions provide a soft, defused light and saturated colors.
Don't Avoid Bad Weather!
Don't keep your camera tucked away on a rainy or foggy day either! Couldn't ask for better weather for taking pictures of ghost towns. Conditions like these can can be trying, but worth the effort. Just remember to protect your camera from the wet weather (electronics and water don't get along very well) conditions.
There are several good rain covers commercially available to protect your camera and lens. We always keep several clear plastic bags around just in case. They make great "camera rain coats" and the price is right!
If the conditions are very cold, you'll have to protect that Valuable Camera from condensation. Before going in doors or getting back into your warm car, place your camera in a plastic bag. This way the condensation will form on the bag and NOT your camera!
Shooting in the Middle of the Day
You can even get great pictures in the middle of the afternoon on a bright sunny day! Yes, this is the time most professional photographers are napping or scouting out locations for those "end of the day" shots. But if you like to work in BLACK AND WHITE, don't miss this wonderful opportunity to get some great shots! Shadows at this time of day will be very short, but they will be dark.
A word of caution here. Always Shoot in Color! Don't use the black and white setting on your camera. It is better to do the conversion in the DIGITAL DARKROOM, because a color image contains more tonal information than a black and white image and you'll have more control over the finished print. Plus you can't make a black and white image color, at least not without alot of work.
More IS Better!
Make lots of images. Ghost towns provide excellent opportunities for YOU to improve your skill as a photographer and have fun doing it! Experiment. One of my favorite techniques is to take photographs of objects reflected in a window pane. Don't overlook door knobs and door locks. They can make very interesting images. Shoot through a broken window at another building, wagon or rusted piece of machinery.
Two of my favorite photographs were taken through windows in ghost towns. One I took in Animas Forks, Colorado of the Walsh House, throught the window of a collapsed miner's shack using the window to frame the house. The other was a compelling image taken by a photographer friend of mine through the window of a house in Bodie, California of a rusted bed frame with a little girls shoe on the floor. Great images can be made anywhere, by anyone. Including You!
Let's Talk Safety
Now we need to talk about the DANGERS involved with exploring old mining and ghost towns and the surrounding areas.
FIRST and foremost, always tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return. We check in at the local Sheriff's Office or Ranger Station when we are going to remote ghost towns or mining areas. And don't forget to check with them when you leave! Check the local weather, some roads may become impassable with just alittle rain. And with alot, rivers! Have at least one gallon of water per person per day in your vehicle. Watch where you walk. Don't enter mines or tunnels, they can be unstable. Obey ALL No Trespassing Signs.
Obey ALL No Trespassing Signs. Claims may still be active or the areas dangerous. Carry a cell phone. Reception in remote areas may be spotty at best, but it's better than not having one. We carry a satellite phone in our four wheel drive van. I know this all sounds like common sense, but how many lost or injured hikers have you heard about in the news? Have fun exploring and taking pictures, but Please Be Careful!
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