I used to be a writer. I mean, not professionally or anything, but it's a craft I didn't pursue for the want of another craft. I enjoy writing, and do occasionally, but it's in another whole department, two stories up and to the right, that merits its' own time and attention . I don't marry the two often on my blog for reasons 1. Too many words is daunting for those that just want to see photos. 2. Reasons stated above: to write, and write well, takes a bit more time and effort than what I can afford sometimes. So, I keep it short and sweet here on the blog. I hope that's cool.

The photo below...I know it looks like Louisiana, but it's good ol' Mineral Wells, my photographic home away from home. There's a few towns like that here in Texas, Millsap immediately comes to mind, towns where, if I get the itch to get back in touch with the rural, I can take a twenty five minute car ride, and I'm there. Sure beats the eight and a half hours to Livingston, actually, nothing really beats that, but I'll take what I can get! I hope everyone is healthy and happy. More to come!

cyborg crane

Down the main highway that cuts through Mineral Wells, surrounded by lone star steak houses, abandoned gas stations and buildings, open fields and far off hills, stands this huge metal sculpture of a crane. The artist unknown, but the resulting photograph looks like something out of The Matrix, or some other syfy like film. Taken with my lensbaby and sharpened and turned sepia in photoshop.

did anyone say, "mineral wells?"

Ah! Mineral Wells, my favorite Texas town of old with it's runned down everything and random miscellaneous stuff that one finds just driving through town. A documentary photographer's dream. Here's a shot take recently when I was working in the small town. Three crosses...one a little more rugged than the other, an overcast cold, windy day-and my lens baby (let's go make some pictures)!

mineral wells-revisited

Today, let's revisit a shot taken at my ultimate favorite place to take pictures: Mineral Wells. These are some quick shots just taken around town...and me cruising in a shopping cart, a common Mineral Wells past time.

mineral wells-meet holga

Not too long ago I posted some great images taken in a little town called Mineral Wells. On that day I took my Holga along with me and photographed a piece or two of the town with it. Here are those images, untouched, right out of the camera; a town interpreted onto film the only way a Holga can. I love that camera...I do.

mineral wells

Here's a little more homage to my love of small towns. Mineral Wells exists about forty five minutes west of Fort Worth. A friend of mine and I have realized that to define a small town it must have these qualities: 1. old run down buildings, gas stations, supermarkets, etc. 2. beer joints with names like "Bob's" or "Sammy's". 3. Antiques. A plethora of antiques.

out by the pool

The photos taken of the old swimming pool are my favorites. I have this natural magnetism towards old crapped out places. I have always had this inclination. So an old pool, paint peeling, the deep end filled with rain water, rust, and grime, is right up my ally. When I photograph these old places, vehicles, whatever it is I am focusing on, I always think about what it was. What it used to be. People swam in this pool. Kids had splash fights in this pool. Families spent part of their vacations here, by the pool, soaking up sun and relaxing. To see it deteriorated here isn't sad to me...I'm just happy to be able to capture it again, before it is forgotten altogether.

the old hotel

If you ever pass through Mineral Wells, Texas, there's a good chance you'll catch this old hotel in your view. Why? Cause it's the tallest thing in town, well, besides the giant Hollywood like 'welcome' sign on the hillside (photos of that later). I had a shoot scheduled there last week and spent my lunch break exploring a hotel that should be a movie set...or character. Stanly Kubrick would've loved this thing. This and the next post will be some of my favorite shots taken from the grounds of the hotel. I wanted to post these exteriors of the place to try and convey that in it's day, I'm sure the finest money slept within these rooms.