Welcome to Nelson, a photo from Nevada, West

Photographer's Note

When traveling to Las Vegas, there is SO much more to do than just gambling. I've been to Las Vegas 8 or 9 times now, and I actually make it a point NOT to gamble.

This photo here is a perfect example...if you rent a car your options and choices expand greatly. Located only about a 40 minute drive south east of Las Vegas is the tiny Ghost Town of Nelson.

Nelson has a population of 37! Yes, 37 as of 2010.

Spaniards discovered Gold here in 1775. One hundred years later gold prospectors and miners took over the town. Even back then the mine produced Millions of dollars in Gold Silver Copper and Lead, in todays currency who knows how much that is.

Nelson had a reputation for killings. At its peak, it was known as a ruthless and lawless town.

Today, its pretty much a ghost town, as mentioned the population in the last census was 37.
The site is very cool, with dozens and dozens of old cars, abandoned barns, a crashed airplane, etc.....

Many celebrities have had photo shoots here, one being Beyonce. Kurt Russell and Kevin Costner shot a movie here called 3000 Miles to Graceland. I have a photo of the truck Kurt Russell used in the film. I'll show that later.

This photo is just one example of the cars and trucks that just sit around in the heat of the desert.
Please forgive the lighting in some of these photos, its awefully hard to photograph in such conditions.
You can check out the WS.

It was 119 degrees on this day and the sun was a killer!

So if you ever go to Las Vegas, rent a car and explore the local areas, there are treasures to be found.

Cheers

tyro, bayno, pajaran, jjcordier, krzychu30, timecapturer, clic, cagla, Indrasish, nikkitta, Cricri, Gigidusud, Angshu, adores ha puntuado esta nota como útil.

Critiques | Translate

serp2000 (47063) 2013-07-22 10:31

Good July morning, my friend!
Once I met an old fire truck but I don't like an angle of that machine for a post here. But your picture reminds me similar iron heritage in Australia, South Africa etc. Well seen! Just a memorials of that times. Probably I saw similar Dodge in some movie, for example.
Excellent presentation! Thanks!
Serghei

tyro (30513) 2013-07-22 10:31

Hi Craig,

So this old Dodge was your hire car? Pretty fancy, eh?

I can appreciate just how awful it must be trying to take photographs in that intense heat - sometimes you can't even see through the viewfinder because so much sweat is running down your face. But you have, as always, come up with three magnificent shots here, each one with fabulous light and colours and incredible details. Naturally, I prefer your "old junker" Ford best of all!

Funny, but none of these cars seems to have been attacked by vandals - the cars look just as though they are as they were left when they stopped running. Even that "old junker" still has its headlamps intact - here those would have been nicked as souvenirs or trophies years ago.

Fabulous!

Kind Regards,

John.

P.S. I agree with you about Vegas. I can think of nothing less attractive than gambling in casinos. Someone once tried to show me how to play poker - I've never been so bored in my whole life. I still don't understand it.

P.S. Whoo, hoo! Got your email! Congratulations! What a clever boy! You must send me a copy of the picture which you're getting published in that medical journal! And what an opportunity - to get a ring-side seat to take pictures at an air display - and even win 3,000 bucks - go for it, Craig!! That is brilliant! Very, very well done!!!

bayno (18348) 2013-07-22 10:43

Ciao Craig,
the previous post was much better ;), however, are 4 beautiful photos, my favorite is the one with the title more car, we can see part of the old city, a fascinating place abandoned to himself, very good quality reportage,
best regards,
Valter

pajaran (114945) 2013-07-22 10:48

Dobar dan.
Vrlo interesantan i dobar tekst, sa datim podacima ...
Lep pogled na stari automobil ...
Dobar snimak, kontrast, lepe boje.
Dobar rad sa lepim fotografijama u radionici.
Ostao je stari automobil i uspomene.
Imajte lep dan, sve najbolje u novoj nedelji koja je pocela.
Srecno.
Paja.

Good afternoon.
Very interesting and good text with the given data ...
A nice view of the old car ...
Good picture, contrast, beautiful colors.
Good work with beautiful photographs of the workshop.
He remained an old car and the memories.
Have a great day, all the best in the new week that started.
Good luck.
Paja.

claudeD (47754) 2013-07-22 11:00

Hello Craig,

wonderful old Dodge which could be an amazing model for an oldtimer fan to realize an "american dreamcar"! Very good composition and perfect sharpness. I have visited a week ago an american car show here in Luxembourg with about 200 fine american oldtimers ... Very good contribution to TE. Like your shot very much.TFS.

with regards from Luxembourg

JC

mesutilgim (0) 2013-07-22 12:42

Hello Craig,
Very nice capture of this abandoned Dodge !
Old and wracked but still majestic in its form.
Many interesting notes.
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

HimalAnda (10671) 2013-07-22 12:43

Hello Craig,

Congratulations for this nice picture, even if I think it would have been better if you were not so close of the old car.

Stéphane

holmertz (102008) 2013-07-22 13:42

Hello Craig,
You show us three very good pictures, technically as perfect as could be asked for, and all of them well composed. To my mind, though, you made a mistake by not using the WS #2 (more cars) as the regular upload. It shows a marvellous car but also includes a fantastic structure behind it and some of the strange buildings of the town, as well as a terrific scenery. I like this, but I love that other one.
Best wishes,
Gert

carlo62 (81265) 2013-07-22 15:36

Ciao Craig
ottimo lavoro, anche il ws è molto interessante.
Hai fatto degli scatti eccellenti, ognuno di essi meritava la prima pagina.
Saluti
Carlo

chrisvek (7003) 2013-07-22 15:41

Hello Craig

Excellent photo with splendid theme and colors.Nice contrasts and lightning usage.Very good details and framing.Well done.

All the best
Chris

emka (157280) 2013-07-22 18:27

Hi Craig, You didn't gamble??? Incredible :). The ghost towns in USA are really cool. I visited famous Bodie and less known Jerome in Arizona. There were amazing places. 37 people, well, it means there are people still there.
With so many abandoned cars you must have felt like in haven . I like the perspective and distortion. Superb presentation.
have a nice day

Malgo

jjcordier (79299) 2013-07-22 23:01

Craig
Jolie collection dépaves automobiles bien mises en valeur par ton très grand angle. J'aime beaucoup le WS2.
Amicalement
JJ

krzychu30 (15512) 2013-07-23 1:08

Hi Craig,
I think it´s one of thebest subjects for HDR,at least looking at your pictures.Abandoned,rusty,but still so picturesque and eye-catching!Another great composition with your wide-angle lens and another great post-processing!no matter how stupid it may sound,but for me the car looks much more beautiful old and rusty than new and shiny:)
Also your other two photos in WS are amazing!

Have a good day
Krzysztof

jurek1951 (42198) 2013-07-23 1:34

Hi,
Very good capture of this old car before it disappeared for ever. Excellent POV, details and DOF. Sharpness and colors are very good. Well done,
Georg

Royaldevon (85606) 2013-07-23 2:43

Hello Craig,

I have to laugh at the passion we possess, as photographers, to undergo baking heat, thousand mile journeys and blinding sun to photograph derelict cars! (Why am I including myself in this ... I find it hard to get up early for sunrise shots!) Seriously, though, this is what happens to people who excel.

For me, there is a certain sadness about the shot. The car (looking so downbeat) is begging for assistance in this land of little water or shelter. Obviously, you have developed this mood by your fine composition and contextual details.

Is there a demand for old cars, to restore them as icons of the past? That old Ford looks like a prime candidate. It is a quite a big hobby here, hence you get all these vintage car rallies.

Have a great day,
Bev :-)

snunney (130967) 2013-07-23 3:38

Hello Craig,
A great study in tones and textures; looks as if it was abandoned years ago. I like the point of view and the perspective; good control over depth of field.

Urs (14082) 2013-07-23 3:46

Hi Craig

I love that car, even it is completely broken down. The lack of the car is in a horrible condition, some parts are white. As it is real hot there, it is in a desert, I ask myself, if the sun has bleached the lack, haha... Good photo job.

Warm regards
urs

No_One (4) 2013-07-23 4:32

Hi Craig,
I would love so much to see an honest to goodness ghost town like this, there is something very special about their atmosphere, and that seems to convey really well into the photos too. This is a great example, this rusting ulk in the desert does look kind of creepy, and sets a brilliant mood. I'm amazed that the lights are still in the car too without having been broken or stolen!
Cheers
Noel

timecapturer (49288) 2013-07-23 5:32

Hi Craig
love shots like this, I suppose this is your desert version of my old wrecks on Dungeness Beach :-). Superb POV and a magical composition that gives us a great idea of its location and distinct lack of affection. Wonderful imagery, that has a real touch of sadness about it.

Brian.

Sergiom (117241) 2013-07-23 5:34

Bonjour Craig

Un très beau jeu de perspectives avec cette superbe lentille qui permet de placer le sujet principal dans son environnement de désolation. Quelle texture sur la tôle. On n'oserait pas y mettre la main tellement cela doit être chaud.

Amicalement

Serge

Nicou (193806) 2013-07-23 6:32

Hello

quelle carcasse de voiture ce blanc et cet orange rouille sueprbe elle a vraiment le look de la vieille voiture dans un décor comme désertzique sueprbe photo.
Bravo et amitié
nciou

mohammad_H (10178) 2013-07-23 6:46

Hi
In his time machine is stylish and fashionable, beautiful display with good resolution

clic (76) 2013-07-23 7:15

Hello Craig
Hearty and "much spirited" hauler of back-then on wich you should have withdraw the hood ornament for my Dodge pickup truck!!
Cheers.
Robert

limielski (0) 2013-07-23 10:44

Hi Craig!

Such kinds of objects (old cars) are excellent theme in a photography.
Superb photo, really!. Old cars have a spirit/soul. and a charm.
Superb POV and a perspective.

Warm regards, Leszek

fabbs99 (17179) 2013-07-23 12:58

Hi Craig,

Brilliant photography here.I love the rusty looks of the old car.Great use of wide angle lens.TFS.

Cheers
Farhat

cagla (4342) 2013-07-23 14:28

Your POV to the cars (this one and in WSs) is uncommon but a remarkable one. Very nice shots accompanied by an interesting note. I like to read your notes, TFS.

dkmurphys (79209) 2013-07-24 0:48

Hi Craig,
A real attractive image with this relic of past golden times. Perfect shot, love it.

Daniel

adidas5nb (5743) 2013-07-24 6:59

i like the ruggedness in the whole set up including the car and the surroundings.fantastic desaturated colors.love the pov and the effect created by the angle.
regards
dwaipayan

Indrasish (2943) 2013-07-25 1:29

Hello Craig,
Great shot here.. Awesome presentation.. Like the composition with this abandoned vintage car.. Nice angle and perspective too.. Very well done..
Good night and wish you all the best..
Warm regards,
Indrasish..

nikkitta (17070) 2013-07-25 15:16

Hola Craig,

Good to be at Las Vegas and driving to watch old cars
I like them, there are plenty in Argentina and still working
Like the way you presented it, managing to show a bit of the desert landscape
Well done
Cheers
Maria

m (0) 2013-07-26 12:35

Hi Craig,
I see you've switched from high-rises to these rusty monsters lately and you definitely dig it:)
I like what your lens does to them. Super angles making them super models. Yes, the setting is adequate too. Impressive!
Enjoy your weekend

gus72 (3719) 2013-07-26 20:41

Hi Craig !!
I love these old cars, pick ups and trucks..... I have a good selection in the redbubble site. Like you..... I do not gamble in las Vegas.....but I always find interesting things to do.
Canadian Open this week end..... only 2 weeks ago I visited Glen Abby.
Have a nice week end.
Gus

Cricri (176) 2013-07-26 22:41

Hi Craig
Superbe l'effet que donne le grand angle, incroyable ces vielles voitures abandonnées dans cet endroit désertiques , sec et chaud, magnifique
Belle journée
cricri

bebel (7588) 2013-07-29 0:43

Bonjour
I like your cars série in this old town, really well shotted dispite great lights. Certainly also very nostalgiques in B&W. It is very curious that they are not so too much destroyed by weather ..
Nice share
cordialement
Pierrot

Gigidusud (21679) 2013-07-31 14:58

Hi Craig,
All these amazing old car abandoned, really a joy for photographers. Superb presentation here as usual and great WS too. I like a lot!
Friendly regards,
Gigi.

Angshu (56760) 2013-08-05 3:55

Hi Craig
119 deg is hot...real hot! I wonder how you were able to take pictures in such heat...sunburnt for sure as well! If you have handled temperatures like these, you will not face any problems in India ;-)...
I loved this ultra wide picture taken close to the truck with colour battered by the relentless sun. Thanks also to the pictures in the WS..adds to the flavour!
Cheers
Angshu

adores (46979) 2013-08-15 16:59

Hi Craig!
Looking at this post and also the Ws, I believe this must be a really amazing place. I guess I could spend hours there. I like this pov - the details of the old car are fantastic and you're still showing part of the surrounding area.