On the road: Nevada, central California
Landed in Las Vegas this morning. This is just an exploration trip — location scouting, and getting a feel for this part of the country, (and just to get outside, in the heat, and to be shooting). A friend lent me this Larry Brown novel, called “Father and Son”, and that had me gripped by the neck for the majority of the four hour flight. Highly recommended novel, but not for the faint of heart. The word “brutal” comes to mind.
Anyway, drove most of the way around Lake Mead today, and ended up in Valley of Fire. I shot this image below in a town called Overton, Nevada, which is at the top tip of Lake Mead. What I’m finding out here — there are about three hours of shooting time per day — 1.5 hours in the morning and another 1.5 at sunset. Otherwise, the light is very harsh.
Headed to Vegas tomorrow morning to see that Neon Boneyard, and then on to Death Valley for the next few days.
I just love this part of the country. Great skies today. I shot the image below, and had the gear loaded in the car, ready to pull away, and then I looked up and saw this red blast of cloud color being shot up from below. Got the camera and tripod back out, and walked back up to my spot, and reshot it.
Abandoned construction site, Overton, Nevada.
Death valley is one of my favourite places to shoot in the states. Not sure I’d want to be there this time of year though.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcgregorphoto/sets/72157604079373100/
Gorgeous! And I LOVE father & son. My college mentor, Dr. Cash, is writing his biography right now, and it was my experience with her that inspired me to photograph “A Sense of Place” homes of Faulkner, Welty, and O’Connor. In Dec. I photographed Larry Brown’s cabin & office for My Sense of Place series (still haven’t updated my website with it). I am so glad you are a fan too! One day we must share a beer and talk.
Mark, I just returned from a two week trip there. I got some of the funkiest skies I have ever seen. They are so unreal that they look fake. Now going to Death Valley in June – you are a tough guy to take that one on. Have fun.
Susana:
I finished the book late last night. Blew thru it. Couldnt’ put it down. The flight attendant must have panicked, seeing me with sweat on my forehead as I read the chapters. Loved the characters, loved the whole thing. Now looking for “Joe” to keep on with my Larry Brown theme. I love a book where you read the words and you can actually hear the people saying them, in your head. Now THAT is a good book.
I started reading Larry Brown when I saw him on a documentary in 1991 about southern writer Harry Crews. I instantly became a fan of Harry Crews and later Larry Brown.. I’ve read most of their books. In in 1993 I lived in Washington DC for a while and Larry Brown came to town to watch a pre-production play “off, off, off Broadway” of his book “Dirty Work” at the The Old Vat Theather in DC. I bought tickets and I was the last to arrive and barely get a seat. But it was my good luck that the staff sat me at the same table with Larry Brown and his wife. What a cool experience. Sadly I heard that Larry Brown passed away a few years back. Another favorite southern author of mine who wrote about Southern life was Tim McLaurin (who sadly also died a few years back of cancer)
http://www.indyweek.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A17970
If you ever get your hands on a copy, definitely check out these three documentaries/movies.
The Rough South of Harry Crews
http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0379966/
and The Rough South of Larry Brown
http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0280079/
Here is a snipet on Youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgtRYuQQkWU
And lastly (searching for the spirit of the South)
http://www.searchingforthewrongeyedjesus.com/#
Forrest
Forrest, Thank you for all these links. i will check them out. Had no idea about Larry Brown.
A friend turned me onto “Searching for the Wrong Eyed Jesus” a few years ago, and I ordered several DVDs and gave them away to friends. I still listen to the soundtrack regularly. Handsome Family.
Thank you.
Love the shots out west. And although I’ve not delved into Larry Brown’s work I go to Oxford from Memphis regularly and no matter who you are, what you believe, you will have an experience.
I just finished several days of shooting there, Richard Howarth of Square Books fame (and as mayor and champion of southern writers) has fought the good fight in keeping the town development as controlled as possible. Every time I go there I drive down to Rowan Oak (Faulkner’s home) to feel the vibe. Even if I don’t get out of my car.
And those of us living in the south sometime you forget how incredible the sky can be. The humidity and heat of the summer really wash it out here. In the west it seems always beautiful to me.
Steve
Mark, If you haven’t watched “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” now’s the time. Johnny Depp, Benicio Del Toro, a real classic.