Found Pictures

We all see those totally out of place things by the roadside, often a photo begging to be taken. Too often I just pass them by. I find myself stopping and shooting a photo more often now. Guess I am getting old, and not sure how many exposures I have left.

I have a rubber duckie on my desk at work that was a found photo. It escaped from some kind of game. Looks a lot like the old river racing rubber ducks, or a carnival game. Has a number on the bottom, and is quite the worse for wear. I saw it one day on Watson Boulevard in Warner Robins. It was by the curb, near a puddle of water. Yeah, back when it rained. I was in a hurry so I didn't stop. On the way back from my assignment, I stopped but it had been moved away from the puddle. My photo not there any longer. Over the next couple of days I would check the duck, finally got my photo, he was where I wanted him for my image. After I shot my photo I rescued him.

The photo above is a picture I found while out walking in Fort Valley one night. Perfectly good bicycle laying on the side walk. Had to shoot it, the night adding to the mystery. The umbrella was on the curb was one Sunday morning after a pretty sereve storm. Wondered where it blew in from. Was late for church, but had to turn around and go back for the photo.

Add a little mystery to your life, stop and push the shutter button.

McDonalds and Palm Trees

The McDonalds in Fort Valley has been torn down, no more Big Macs for three months. I had been watching the old building, wanted to shoot the demolition. Knocking down the Golden Arches. That would be a classic photo. Went by Tuesday morning and no activity. Went by Wednesday morning and the building was gone, tractors piling rubble and loading into waiting trucks. Where do you take chunks of McDonalds and where is the grease?

Fort Valley has a lot of palm trees. All along the railroad by the old depot building. Always thought that was cool. Made my adopted home town kinda special. Story I heard was that the railroad planted them back in the early 1900's so all the folks passing through on the way to Florida would think they were getting close.

Anyway, back to McDonalds. I was sorry I had missed the demolition of the building. Started on the back side of the lot, trying to get the rubble and the Golden Arches, which were still standing. Didn't work too well. Had a photo that was usable, with a sign saying they were closed for reconstruction. I went to the other side and there was my photo. Golden Arches, palm tree, and Drive Thru painted on the pavement. Toss in the rise in the land, wonderful sky, and I love this photo. So sweet when I stumble onto the right place.

Charlie Kelly, an AP photographer and one of my mentors always said the true secret of being a photographer was knowing where to stand. So true.