Arizona Treks

Historic sites can be very good places to photograph and they can be huge disappointments.  For me the thing that make the difference is the placement of signs, plaques, and obvious improvements or repairs done with modern materials.

There are many historic places that we visited during the trip but I am referring to the actual parks, recreation areas, etc., not the historic downtown, or the cemetery, places like Fort Ross State Park, Bodie State Park, Golden Gate National Recreation Area.  I love historic places, for the opportunity to learn and get a feel for what things were like as well as the wonderful photographic opportunities.

One challenge however is the other visitors.  On one trip there was a LF photographer that was very rude, asking or yelling for people to move out of his view.  Some places restrict the types of equipment and I think it may to some extent be due to jerks like that guy.  The place is not maintained for the benefit of photographers but for the general public.  I consider being allowed to photograph in these places to be a privilege, not a right and behave myself in a manner that reflects respect for the other visitors.  I take my time, set up the shot and wait for people to move.  Am friendly with them when they ask questions, do not try to rush them.  It is my responsibility to not take away from their enjoyment and in so doing, exercise some patience and respect.

The shot above, at Fort Ross, took a few minutes to wait for everyone to clear the area but probably only about 5 minutes.  This is not bad, the shot prior to that one took 15 minutes or so because 2 groups of people were wandering around and would enter the shot and leave it.  We waited and I met some other visitors that are interesting people to talk to.  The extreme was at Bodie, I had a shot set up and people would continue to walk in front of me, showing no respect or courtesy whatsoever.  I kept my cool and waited until all was clear, about 45 minutes.  Unfortunately, I do not like the photo enough to even print it.  Other at Bodie took similar time, the worst was one that I would position myself and wait 30 minutes or so, then give up and go back later, I only got the shot after 3 tries like this.  It will print much better than it scanned but I am uncertain of the composition.

We found that even in Northern CA there are extremely rude people.  In many cases we felt like we were intruding.  Of all the travel we have done, California is the most rude place, but the North Coast is worth it.

Historic places can be very interesting to photograph. and they can be frustrating.  Partly it is up to you.  Prepare yourself for waiting, put on your best smile and go for it.  But enjoy yourself as well, after a while, you realize the waiting helps you slow down and see more and possibly better.  I know that when I am going at a slower pace I tend to get better photographs.