Exploring the interior of an old barn at night, I saw how the shadows played on the bureau, and knew instantly how I wanted my photo to come out. I carefully went about illuminating selected areas of the interior of the barn, including the TV and some old discarded lamps with a handheld ProtoMachines LED2 light painting device. The glow from outside is from an ancient neon sign, while the shadows from the bureau are from a nearly full desert moon on a beautiful cool Mojave evening. This calm was momentarily shattered when I was trying to walk in the dark while carrying my camera equipment. I stumbled over one of the enormous large-beam barn floorboards that had bent up slightly, almost causing me to face plant. I somehow caught myself without ramming into anything or falling, but it was a frightening moment. This is always one of the hazards of exploring ghost towns in the dark.
A night photo fisheye view of an ancient gas pump and rusty car on a beautiful cool Mojave evening, backlit by a handheld ProtoMachines LED2 light painting device during this long exposure. I love playing with shadows.
The front of a 1934 Chevrolet truck, owned by John Riley Bembry, who used this to drive to his claims in the Ivanpah Mountains. I photographed this amazing machine on a cool, cloudy desert night. I am grateful to Mojave Desert Heritage and Cultural Association for granting me special permission to photograph at night on their property.
