Abandoned Cabin - Augusta, Georgia

An abandoned share cropper cabin near the levee outside Augusta, Georgia slowly succumbs to the elements and vegetation.

Be sure to check out the rest of my photography at http://genebowker.com

Sunset without the colors

Instead of thinking of sunsets just in color, we can look at them as shades of grey.
Here is an example from my recent trip to Manasota Key, Florida.

I like the way that the storm clouds look like a battleship on the horizon.

Be sure to check out the rest of my photography at http://genebowker.com/

Shadows on the depot wall

The shadow of a crossbuck hits the wall of the depot in the dawn light of a Folkston, Georgia morning.

Cheraw freight dock

cheraw freight dock, originally uploaded by Gene Bowker.

Here is a side view of the Cheraw Depot.. The loading dock area is in pretty bad shape as the bumper board has fallen.

I've learned since I took the photograph that the depot served as both a freight and passenger depot for the Seaboard in Cheraw.

 Example of a SCL Passenger schedule from the late 1960's before Amtrak took over service.

Solitude

Millwheel, originally uploaded by Gene Bowker.

I have never found a companion that was so companionable as solitude. We are for the most part more lonely when we go abroad among men than when we stay in our chambers. A man thinking or working is always alone, let him be where he will.

Henry David Thoreau

What do you see?

Photograph Looking Up at Wires of the Boulder Dam Power Units, originally uploaded by The U.S. National Archives taken by Ansel Adams for the Department of the Interior in 1941 

When I think of Ansel Adams I think of Yosemite first and foremost. Then I think of his other works at the National Parks such as Yellowstone, Carlsbad Caverns (I have a print of one of those shots in my cubical), and in the Southwestern Indian Country.

I have to admit that I was startled when I saw this picture was an Adams.

Looking at it and especially when it was taken in 1941 you start to appreciate the fact that projects like the Boulder Dam (Now Hoover Dam) were changing the face of the West. Adams realized this and took pictures of that change.

It challenges me as a photographer to take the time to look at how the world is changing today instead of always focusing on what remains of the past. Documenting change as it happens so that in the future we remember both what was and how it became what it is today.

Looking at it a different way.. a lesson in perspective

The old Railroad Crossing sign at the Folkston depot has starred in several of my photographs over the last few years.

When I was in Folkston back in April, I was trying to look at the sign in a different way to find a new shot. For me, taking a photo with the camera at anything but vertical or horizontal just "feels strange" but hopefully it worked.

I know these days, you can use the processing software to tilt and turn photographs after the fact, but for me it is more a chance to look at things from a new angle. I'm hoping that it will motivate me to look for other shots where something isn't as I expect and be willing to take them.

Zenfolio - elegant photo hosting

Beachside at Edisto

Another of my favorites from morning at Edisto Beach with the erosion fences on the shore.

Edisto Beach, South Carolina offers great chances for vacationing with house rentals and also several resorts in the area.



Read my roadtrip articles on the Examiner.

Finding something new each time...

Unfortunately, I live about 5 hours from Folkston, Georgia where this crossing sign (commonly called a cross-bucks) is located.

It is located on the grounds of the depot as part of the museum collection.

Everytime I'm there, I take at least one picture of it. That means I get pictures of it at dusk, dawn, middle of the day, and also in a variety of weather conditions.

Even in Black & White, it is amazing how the light can play against the crossing, how the shadow lies, or what difference the background sky and trees can make.

To some it might just be a crossing sign, but to me it is a small lesson in paying attention and becoming a better photographer.

Read my roadtrip articles on the Examiner.

A quiet beachside reflection

Edisto Island is located on the coast of South Carolina and is a popular destination for beachfront rentals and fun in the sun.

I visited Edisto at a quieter time last November. The beach fence above stood forlorn and lonely on the shore.

If you go, make sure to visit the State Park located on the north end of the island.

Read my roadtrip articles on the Examiner.

Wordless Wednesday - Cloud Study

Sharing your passions.. commentary

One of the reasons that I enjoy blogging and the internet is the chance to share my interests with others in a variety of forums...

My newest way to share with others is through my articles at Examiner.com. For the last few weeks, I've been writing a column about Road Trips in the Southeastern US. If you haven't read it yet, I hope you will check it out at: http://www.examiner.com/x-39809-Augusta-Road-Trip-Travel-Examiner. It is a lot of fun to share some of my favorite places with others and also learn about new places from the comments and emails I get.

Now, my newest adventure with Examiner.com is to write a column on Railroad / Railway History called the Historic Railways Examiner, which can be found at http://www.examiner.com/x-41880-Historic-Railways-Examiner. This really helps me come full circle since I got involved in photography as a way to document and share my love of trains and railroads. I do this through the pictures I share here, my Historic Railways blog at http://railfan.biz/ and my RailHistory account on Twitter at http://twitter.com/railhistory.

My loving wife Cindy, who co-writes the Moonlitbridges Blog with me, will be the first to tell you that all of this consumes time. Like any other hobby, it also consumes resources.  However, I really feel the chance to share my work and adventures is worth the investment, I hope you do too.

---

Before it's gone... #Photoblog

Electrical-Cabinet BW
Originally uploaded by Gene Bowker

I'm learning quickly that it is a good idea to take photos even under less than ideal conditions of old buildings and landscapes.

Very quickly.. they can be removed and scrapped and we lose a picture of what existed in the past.

This is a picture of the electrical building at the Hamlet Depot in Hamlet, North Carolina. It provides an interesting case study of what equipment would of been used in such situations back in the 1960's and 1970's.

What structures do you pass everyday which you should take a photo of before they are gone?

Remember When: Small Town Post Office - #Photoblog

Remembering the small town post office, this one still in service in 2010.

---

Flowers mean Spring is coming.

Bridge Detail- Trains Thursday

Bridge Detail
Originally uploaded by Gene Bowker

Railroads provide many interesting photographic subjects beyond the engines and cars themselves.

Railroads constructed many elaborate bridges across the United States which still serve today. The Iron and Steel work provides interesting angles and contrasts.

This shot was taken along the Savannah River in Augusta, Georgia. The bridge carries the Norfolk Southern Railroad into downtown Augusta where it runs in the middle of the street for several blocks before reaching the yard.

The trains pass the Augusta History Museum which houses a nice railroad display including a retired Steam Locomotive in all it's glory.

The Riverwalk also provides many photographic opprotunities of boats, water, flowers, and birds. Worth a visit if you are in the area.

Silent Silos - Wordless Wednesday #photo

From 2009, Augusta, GA

silos
Originally uploaded by Gene Bowker

Blue Ridge Overlook

Blue Ridge Overlook
Originally uploaded by Gene Bowker

Been listening to podcasts this week from the Great Smokies Mountains National Park and also read a book about historic postcards from the Blue Ridge Parkway and GSMNP.

This was my favorite photo from the Blue Ridge Parkway last year. I'm waiting to get back to the mountains soon to make more photos

Morning Shadows

BW depot shadows
Originally uploaded by Gene Bowker

An early morning shadow against the Folkston, GA depot is one of my favorite photos from 2009.

I loved the contrast between the shadow the wall with this photo. It also was good in color, but somehow I like the B&W more.

You can click "Black and White" on the pages tabs at the top of the page to see some more of my favorites from 2009.

Hamlet, NC Depot (Night time)

Hamlet Depot, originally uploaded by Gene Bowker.

The Hamlet, North Carolina depot is a favorite railfanning spot for me.

I shot a series of B&W night time photos there trying to recapture some of the feel of times gone by when Hamlet was a hub for Seaboard trains running along the east coast to and from Florida.

This shot looks north from the relocated depot toward the Hamlet Terminal yard. There are plenty of locations around the depot area where you can get shots of the depot and the trains in the area.