Just an old Oak memorial

I had some free time before a party I was to photograph so stopped off at a geocache near by and was surprised to see a memorial in its place to boot. Here's a few images I took on this cold rainy day,if your in the area stop on by on Highland Springs Road also called the Patriot tree on google maps (N Highland Springs Ave, Beaumont, CA 92223)

(the poem on the tree reads)

“I grew up here all alone; you know, so spindly, small and frail,

‘Twas nicer here way back then, a horse and buggy trail

By the side of this country lane, I stood only four foot high,

I hardly got a sideways glance from folks a passing by

                         I am an oak, a scraggly oak, not mighty and not tall,

I’m approaching 80 years; I’ll be 80 in the fall...

‘Twas first a flag, then two more, I did not understand

And then I heard the prayers of those come praying hand in hand,

Each flag is for a mother’s son who went to meet the call,

I’ve seen the tears and heard the prayers for those who gave their all,

And so my job, both night and day, protect these many flags

Shads those who come to mourn their loss and do the best I can

I’m proud to be out here, there are no other trees to guard the many flags that,

Stand and flutter in the breeze.”

There is always something

There is always something to shoot no matter where you are,I no to some photographers they only shoot one thing one style but to me if you shoot abit of everything it opens you up to new ways of shooting.On this day i found myself waiting for a few clients to come to the near by rose garden,and as I waited I started to look at the trees near by and took a few shots.Stepping outside can offer an array of shots just take of the lens cap and start shooting.

Train song TB hotel (geocaching)

So here is another Geocaching moment this time with my daughter and a spot I had went to a few days earlier,so I new there be something to find and have a happy daughter.We pulled up I give my phone with the geocache app open and my daughter led the way,following the directions and we hit GZ and we looked and found the cache with some treasures inside and 2 logbooks to sign.

My daughter with the cache

We left with a smiley for the app and went on home happy cachers the rest are just trains shots of the area and the song they played.

Preview from todays venture(Oldfolks)

Ive been eyeing this spot for some time but never ventured in because I new squatters were leaving in it.Sadly it burnt and whats left is still interesting.The size of the place was big with over 320 rooms big halls and misc rooms.In its heyday it must of been grand.

More images and videos will be posted in the weeks to follow cheers folks

Another trip to abandoned Rubidoux

Rubidoux Community services district sewage disposal plant

I first came here some years ago looking for an entrance which lead about one story down,rusted staircase with a metal bed and papers from the 1950's laid in wait.Tho when i finally went it was sealed up by the city.Sadly squatters had made a mess of the place,in another part of the abandoned plant there was a room which had a fridge and a bed etc....

Ivy covers much of the property year round which makes a great backdrop which ive used it right before I took these shots.You can see some of that work on my facebook page at (fkimagery).

Sticking my camera into a window to capture the view,I was thinking of jumping through but only two bars are broken off so dont think this old husky body of mine could fit through.Also a certain camp ground sits only a few feet away,im sure there were a few on lookers.

Walking away I felt happy has I got my video and finally a shot of the inside. 

Check out the video below and subscribe and do not forget to follow me here

(Last shot of the day )

video here

Street walking Mira Loma

Had a shoot a 1st among shoots to add to my list of 1st.....at a medical Marijuana shop,before the shoot I thought to get a few exterior shots of the building but found myself wandering abit.The 1st buildings almost look abandoned beside the one thats obviously is tho very active just like the cafe which I hear is fantastic.I was in Mira Loma California for my shoot wish I had abit more time to wander maybe hop a fence or too to see what i could find hahah but theres always next time. 

Old blue abandoned in Calimesa

Travel yet again some time back(Jan 2014) when I took these images I was only going to one location I had seen via google maps but when the backroads calls your name theres plenty to see.

I pulled up to this destination,gates wide open parked in front which, I normally do not do for obvious reasons and went on in

and there it was old blue,I wasnt sure what to think of it at 1st as I walked up,looked almost like it could be in use still,but upon further inspection it was abandoned.

Funny thing before I took this shot is I heard noises coming from the room,probably birds so I stuck my camera in and took the shot expecting to see some ghostly figure or zombie or squatter,but nothing.The mind really races with crazy thoughts when by yourself exploring places

On to the next location I went,the roads in Calimesa are wonderful to drive on.

Elmers bottle tree ranch

Elmers bottle tree ranch in Oro Grande,Ca on the national trails highway(route 66)the mother road.

taken with Nikon D5100 and 8mm Rokinon fisheye lens 5shot bracket an a tripod

 Nikon D5100 and 8mm Rokinon fisheye lens me in the frame,yes 8mm is wide

 Nikon d5100 with sigma 18-250mm

Nikon d5100 sigma 18-250mm

If your lucky and make your way to see elmers bottle tree ranch the best time for photographers is early morning or when the sun is setting.Also Elmers is free tho a donation box is located near the entrance and id say donate Elmer is a great guy and if your lucky youll see him on the property and he is a friendly guy.So if your riding down route 66 go get your kicks at Elmers bottle tree Ranch.

On the mother road

Roadside Oro Grande,Ca National Trails highway

I took this shot some 2/3years ago while traveling to see Elmers Bottle tree ranch and a few other places in the area.There is alot to see on National trails also known as Route 66 the mother road,I will post in a future blog of the other sites I have seen and hope you will enjoy.

Mountain flowers

In my journey into photography ive seen on many artist pages the use of textures and overlays and have been intrigued. Ive only recently started to incorporate these extras into my photography.Using "Alien skin exposure software"ive found it very easy to use  textures overlays and dust particles.Note not every image is a candidate for these techniques but its fun to see which will work,on this image I started off with my normal adjustments in lightroom using the adjustment brush to decrease shadows and increase highlights.

   Once I was finished with my normal editing I imported the image to alien skin exposure and sharpened the image then added light leaks and then my scratches to give it the look you see before you. 

Crow

Crow

shot raw edited with Alien Skin software using paper texture and a two tone overlay with added vignetting  

Louis Rubidoux nature center

Louis Rubidoux nature center

#vsco

f5.6  1/250sec ISO400 @18mm sigma 18-250mm shot RAW edited in Lightroom and vsco effects. 

Weathered Piano

Piano I found exploring an old town in the desert in Yucca valley

F6.7 1/180sec ISO100 sigma 18-250 at 52mm shot RAW and edited in Lightroom then to Silver efex back to lightroom for final adjustments.