The old Cook Bank Building in Rhyolite Nevada. A site visited often by Death Valley NP travelers.
No doubt this site has been photographed many times over the years, but in the later years a surrounding fence was installed limiting access to the location.
This is an image I'd taken years ago now and most recently had a need to convert it to B&W. Not too much to add beyond a fellow photog told me they apparently have had to install some uprights here and there just to stabilize what is left of this structure. Too bad as time goes by the photo opportunities are becoming less and less due to stability and safety issues.
Thank you in advance for your C&C's and please review the LARGER size too.
Mamiya RB67 ProSD - Mamiya C 65mm lens - Hoya CP - Velvia 50
Comments
9 commentsI saw the thumbnail and yelled - Rhyolite!! Ilove the place, and yes, there is a fence now and some reinfocements, but it still looks like this. I really like the light anc contrsat in your image, exactly what one would see in a 1940's movie - very evocative!!!
Excellent take on a grand old building. A bank without an ATM?
I might back off the darkening of the blue channel a touch (and only a touch)? I like the dark sky effect, but it seems a bit dark at the top for my tastes.
@ Alberto, thank you for the comment. I found this info on Wikipedia. Kind of interesting about costs and other items.
Most prominent was the three-story John S. Cook and Co. Bank on Golden Street. Finished in 1908, it cost more than $90,000,[34] equivalent to $2,360,000 in 2015.[27] Much of the cost went for Italian marble stairs, imported stained-glass windows, and other luxuries.
@ Harley, thanks for the comment and idea also, I agree, and an easy fix too.
Wouldn't it be nice if the whole town was a Historic Park with money for preservation? Lesser places have that status....
Wouldn't it be nice if the whole town was a Historic Park with money for preservation?
Agreed Alberto. Poking around on the net I saw a small item talking about a multi story school house in the area too. Although I recall the glass bottle house out there, I do not recall ever seeing any concrete or brick school house. It must be a bit of a drive from the location where the bank is located.....
I like the below ground level POV you achieved, makes these 'ruins' seem larger than life.
I think the high contrast/light suits this well, nice one Paul
Sounds & looks like it could come crashing down at any time.. Just like our dollar
When you realize that in 1908 $90,000 is equivalent to $2,360,000 in todays dollars well, It's just too damn depressing to think about..
I like the below ground level POV you achieved, makes these 'ruins' seem larger than life.
Thank you Howard for the comment. I do recall spending a bit of time working out a composition on this one. Additionally, not having a 4x5 back then for adjustments I knew I had to keep the camera back straight as I could to prevent as much "keystoning" as possible.....
Paul:
Thanks for sharing your B&W image. These do look nice in monochrome. Between fences and wheelchair ramps, signs and all sorts of "improvements" the choice of viewpoints becomes more and more limited. I ran around with color and B&W backs for my Hasselblad for many years, back when "conversions" were not easy and color film an expensive prospect.
I do find a little dissonance in the composition with the structures crowding the left side of the image. Only a personal preference.
Best regards: Tom
Thank you all for your reviews and kind comments / suggestions.
@ Tom, I agree, it is a bit tight on the left. Thinking back, I believe this may have been my first usage with the MF camera and so the viewfinder coverage was maybe a bit touchie for me back then.