in Stephenson

[j10asen]

As you know we recently visited the U.P. For a camping trip and while we were camping we discovered this small town. Stephenson is a very small town but it had two gas station and a Grocery store. The reason we drove there was to get a bag of marshmallows for smores. The grocery store was closed and neither gas station had any.
This town was very interesting so I thought I would take a few shots with turning then into black and whites or aged as I have done.
I did notice immediately that focal point of this town was the train tracks as they were placed directly in the center of town. As I began to edit my photos I realized I should have thought a little more before just snapping pictures.
The BIG MISTAKE. I really should have included the train tracks in every shot.

I am guessing this town started out as a watering stop for the old steam driven trains. Without the train this placed never would be here. Oh well the next time I go through I will take more time and do it right. As look at the photos there is much more of a story going on that what I saw or felt when I was there. At the time it looked like any other place that exists only because the resident decided to hold on to their roots.
This place is amazing in that they have preserved their past yet allow the future to filter inward.
Despite the empty buildings they do try to maintain them. Just take a look at these shots and start imagining the stories that could be told and the past this place has. I am glad I stopped even if we didn't get marshmallows. We did get Cheap gas 2.88/gallon.




This shot is dead center in town, the main cross road,note the small gazebo in the distance, typical for an Americana town center, that gives me the feel of community.


There must be enough people around to support a movie theater. They have a double feature like they did in the 60's or later. Pirates of the Caribbean and Shrek 3.


On the grassy area they have various planter and trees with small hand painted plaques dedicating to someone deceased. That is another way they hold and honor their past. The tree is actually a metal sculptor of a tree trunk used to hold hanging baskets, they even have a little art culture here.



Off in the distance an very old Iron Bridge crossed the gap created by Little Cedar River. The past is also off in the distance, yet still within reach.


I am not sure but I think at one time this building was an old Hotel but now it appears to be chiropractor's office.




Does this not look like a 50's shot? Yet the posted prices and the lottery tell you it's today.
But they still handle their own meat and produce.


Now this building has had to have been a Bank at one time , now empty but maintained.

I hope you enjoyed your trip into the past.

[MrKhay]

Nice find!
They just don't make small towns like they used to. I grew up in a spot that looks alot like the place in the photos. Thing is, there's nothing left there to photograph. Just an old stone church that was used as a town hall. I think it stands empty now.
Did you convert the photos th B&W, or did you have your camera set to take B&W? I like the aged look, must be a photoshop detail.
Thanks for sharing them with us.

[pk]

There must be enough people around to support a movie theater. They have a double feature like they did in the 60's or later. Pirates of the Caribbean and Shrek 3.

I would think a movie theater is just about the only place for everyone to have entertainment.

My kids would freak if we moved here, lol, they are so use to having Golden Arches every mile or so, and everything else you can think of in between.

I grew up in more of a small town feeling and had a great time. Actually Kenosha is like big city living to me so I have to admit I would go stir crazy in a town such as this also now that I've grown use to having so much around me to do and go to shop etc. lol

Again, thanks for adding some really great shots for us to enjoy.

pk

[j10asen]

Originally Posted by MrKhay

Nice find!
They just don't make small towns like they used to. I grew up in a spot that looks alot like the place in the photos. Thing is, there's nothing left there to photograph. Just an old stone church that was used as a town hall. I think it stands empty now.
Did you convert the photos th B&W, or did you have your camera set to take B&W? I like the aged look, must be a photoshop detail.
Thanks for sharing them with us.

"Just an old stone church that was used as a town hall. I think it stands empty now."
here is your challange shoot that church in a way that gives you the feel everything else is still there.

I shoot everything in color and manipulate afterwards. I have a variety of photo editing tools this was done with a tool called Photofilter. I have learned that when I use some of these filters that I need to lighten everything up. Using digital photography makes all those tasks so much easier.

I once told a photographer (in 1999) that digital photography would change everything and would make everyone a photographer. He scoffed at me and became angry. I would love to see him eat his words today.

but nawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww just seeing digital photography taking off is all I need.
I see a famous manufacturer is going to release a non-flash method ( exisiting light) using some algorithm to correct exposure. Cool