iPhoneography: A Good Day on US 287
In and around Decatur, Texas
January 2, 2010
Toolbox: HipstaMatic
"When In Rhome"
"A Good Day on US 287 3"
"A Good Day on US 287 2"
"A Good Day on US 287 1"
I love to drive the old Federal highways — the ones with the police badge-shaped highway markers. They’re no longer the best way to get there fast. The routes are usually less direct, but more often I find myself just wanting to stop and photograph the cool relics from past times that still dot the roadsides of the old US highway system — the mom & pop traveler’s hotels, old gas stations, cool signs.
Some of them are remarkably well maintained considering that the world now passes them by one mile to the west. Others are beautiful yet sad in their decay. Especially in this part of Texas, where the towns are spaced about a half a day’s ride by horse, some of the main streets are still alive and preserved. The pace of life is much slower than at the Burger King nearby at the exit off the interstate.
There are lines and curves and color and texture and history in the old architecture. The newer metal-framed, steel-sided buildings by the interstate will be old someday as well, but I doubt they’ll have the charm the old towns still have.
The weather was crisp, but the sky was beautiful. The golden hour brought out the warmth of the often faded colors. It was a good day on old US Highway 287.
=M=
Marty is a self-employed graphic designer in the Fort Worth/Dallas Metroplex. He is an avid Rangers baseball, Chicago Cubs, Packers and Highbury Arsenal fan. In addition to capturing random moments with whatever camera is close by (usually his iPhone), his other interests include coffee, film, music, and traveling in seats 5E and 5F with his fiancé.
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This is a really nice collection Marty. Inspiration for when I receive my iPhone on the 14th. Like in the USA, Apple had the odd idea of only letting one cell provider carry the phone; until now.
Love the pictures! I've been enjoying Hipstamatic myself recently and was wondering what lens/flash/film combination you used on these pics? Cheers!
@Mark
I won my iPhone as part of a local radio station giveaway here, but I wasn't about to give up my awesome T-Mobile phone/data plan…. I'm glad you like the images. Find a road you've never been on and go!
@Deej
Thanks! I have all of the HipstaPaks, but used the John S lens with Kodot Verichrome film to shoot these. No flash. I like the saturation and color shifts of the John S. I'd really like to shoot a series with the Lucifer VI lens. There's a great story behind that lens that I'll be posting soon.
=M=
Thanks for that, Marty! I've tried a few using that combination and I've been happy with the results! Only just getting in to taking pictures with my iPhone and it really is quite exciting; although I've got a good page and a half of photo taking/editing apps at the minute. Think I might need to cull the less useful ones!
I look forward to your story on the Lucifer lense!
Deej
I'll take your tip perhaps about finding a road when I come over to California from England in two weeks.
@Mark
Where in California will you be? I lived in L.A. for years and might be able to recommend some great alternate drives to the Interstate Highways.
=M=