CHEAP CAMERA/10 SECOND TIMER SELF-PORTRAITURE

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Riding Out Hurricane Sandy


(All pics. snapped between 10/29/12 and 10/31/12)

On Monday of this week, folks living on the East Coast here in The States - were bracing themselves for the dreaded arrival of Hurricane Sandy. Those of us who live slightly more inland, were preparing for the smaller scale of havoc that she would wreak here as well - with her anticipated inches of torrential rain, and high sustained winds with gusts slated to reach up to 70 mph. Naturally power outages were expected, as trees would predictably become uprooted from the saturated ground, during the hours-long onslaught of Sandy's relentless winds.

My kids were with their dad that night, and so instead of staying home to ride Sandy out all alone - I packed up what I considered to be the most critical storm essentials: some candles, a bottle of vodka, and my camera equipment - and drove to my old friend's house to stay the night. I don't know about you guys, but I believe that the best way to weather any sort of catastrophic storm like this, is to do it with someone you fancy. 

I pulled up to my old friend's house a few hours before Sandy was to finally hit our area - luckily though, I found plenty of activities to keep me busy in the interim... 

I tried to make myself at least somewhat useful, by tidying the basement a little...


...but I quickly grew bored of doing stupid, ole chores - so...I went out to my friend's garage to have some fun for awhile.


I was tired and hungry after all of that roller skating, so I took a load off and ate an apple on the big bay window sill.


But then, feeling sort of guilty about slackin' off the way I had been, I went back to doing what I could to earn my keep... 


...and after all of my work was done, I messed around some more - but then kicked back and chilled until Sandy'd finally run her course… 

Sunday, October 28, 2012

BUSTed!


(First two pics. snapped on 10/22/12)

I know that I let my ever compounding cynicism determine the tone of my posts on here, sometimes (possibly even too often, these days) - but the events surrounding the shoots during which these pictures were made - have me believing (if only momentarily) that there is still "good" in the world, and have also helped to restore my flagging faith in mankind...


I received an email, a couple of weeks ago - from a guy whose neighbor had recently told him about me and my selfpics (click here to read the Little Pretties entry in which I explain how the neighbor found his way to The Big Ugly). In his note to me, the nice man (let's call him "YNF") extended an open invitation for me to come to his place and take pictures of and/or with his 1954 Chevy Belair, as well as anything else that I should find there, that might tickle my photographic fancy. 

The very next week, I took YNF up on his incredibly generous offer - and despite the reservations that my best friend Curleymoe had about me going alone to the home of some stranger who I literally knew nothing about - I packed up my cameras and a bunch of different costumes, and drove to the remote piece of property where YNF lives.

Curleymoe is probably right about me being too willing to put myself in potentially dangerous situations, for the sake of chasing down a new lead...and I will admit that I did become more and more anxious, the further away from civilization that I got, and the deeper I drove into YNF's property - however - I knew as soon as we introduced ourselves, that in YNF's case at least - I didn't havta worry about any threat of peril...he simply could not have been an nicer.

After showing me around, YNF went to work in his shop, and left me to do my thing unhindered. I spent the first two hours snappin' pics. with my film cameras and phone - of the old cars (there were several others besides just the '54 Chevy), a fantastic, old bank barn, and an abandoned house standing solitary in the middle of a corn field. I wasn't in any particular hurry to wrap things up and leave, because it was my ex-husband's day to have the kids - and since YNF had never indicated that there was any special time that I should be done and gone - I changed into one of the costumes that I'd brought, and initiated the self-portrait portion of the day's events...

...and after firing off only maybe 20 frames or so - YNF dropped a bit of a bomb on me, completely out of the blue...he said, "I have to go and run an errand real quick, my wife may get home before I return...I haven't yet told her that you're here."...Ohhhhhh...whooops...

He said that she'd be home in about 30 minutes, so I kept shooting while also trying to keep track of the time in my head, thinking it might be best for me to scram before she arrived...but somehow I goofed, because she arrived before I'd managed to scram...

I nervously walked over to her as she got out of her car, told her who I was and explained why I was there - and although she was surprised (and rightfully so), she was far more pleasant than I would've ever expected, and even allowed me to resume staging my pics..

I didn't stay for long though, it just felt like I was intruding at that point...


(Snapped on 10/22/12 - using an iPhone and Instagram filters)

When I checked in with YNF to see if I'd gotten him into trouble with his wife, he said that everything was fine, and then he told me that I was welcome anytime, to come back to take more pics....I was seriously blown away by his limitless generosity. I was also eager to return so that I could stage some selfpics at that farmhouse that I'd seen in the corn field, and in order to do so - I would have to park at YNF's place, and walk to the old house from there. When I asked for his permission, he said, "No problem"...such a cool guy...

Now the farmhouse is on someone else's property, but I never worried about getting caught trespassing there, because it's so swallowed up by the vast sea of corn stalks that surround it - how on earth would anyone ever know that I was there...



(Last five pics. snapped on 10/25/12)

Seriously, out of all the abandoned houses that I've been in by now - this one gave me no reason to fret over whether I might get busted or not. Which was quite honestly, a welcome relief.

I began by shooting the pictures in the broken window (seen above) and after snapping the 14th one, I hopped down from my perch, went over to my camera to review the last frame, set the camera back to capture mode, looked at the screen before setting the timer, and screamed, "Oh my GOD!!!" There was a man looking straight at me through the far window! I was horror stricken! I quickly ducked down, frantically pulled on my jeans, and threw on a shirt - hoping to be clothed before the man came around to the rear of the house where I was.

I don't remember ever shaking so much from being scared before...my hands trembled uncontrollably as I approached the man (plus two others that he'd brought along with him!) and prepared myself for whatever might ensue. It was just the most awkward and uncomfortable thing ever. What if he was angry...so angry in fact, that he felt that he should call the cops on me? Out of the two possible outcomes that ran through my head though - the cops coming was by far the better alternative. Let's face it, there were three of them, and only one of me (and they'd seen me naked!) - and if they'd wanted to - they could easily have had their way with me...not a soul on the planet would've known...








It went nothing like that though, because as it turned out - the man was unbelievably mellow about the whole thing. Confused? Absolutely. Amused? Yes indeedy. But totally sweet, and understanding, all the same...matter of fact, he even let me stay to finish my shoot - all by myself...I was shocked.

So see? There really IS still a smidgeon of good left in the world (in my world, at least) and I want YNF, his wife, the farmer, and his two friends to know that their kindness and generosity is sincerely and deeply appreciated by this weird, naked, self-portrait artist - Thank You ALL!!!

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Nothing to Write Home About


Not really even sure what to say about these pics., or the 4 hours that I spent snapping' 'em in this beguiling, log hovel...hmmmm…let's think...


...I guess I could start with this: the duration of the shoot (compared to what I've grown accustomed to) was surprisingly unremarkable. That's not to say that it was boring, or disappointing - I actually enjoyed messin' around in this monstrosity. There were ample enough adrenaline surges to keep me alert, engaged and entertained - like when I scared a couple of medium-sized, furry critters out of the house, as I tippy-toed across a squeaky box springs - EEK! Pretty much from that point on, my heart rate never did level out completely. Every time I heard a car coming up the road (to which the log house with its doorless doorways, and sashless windows - sits very close) I stopped what I was doing, and hurriedly hid behind the closest wall, while still being careful not to fall through the predominantly water-damaged floor. 


 The bottommost steps on the staircase were either no longer existent, or approaching complete disintegration - and because I didn't trust what remained of the unstable stringer to provide a safe means of access to the upper floor - I opted to shinny up the exterior of the rear wall, and in through a second story window to get there. It's not so much that I'm afraid of heights really - but more that I'm terrified of falling from high places, and because basically everything that I grabbed ahold of as I tried hoisting myself in through the window opening - felt either soggy, brittle or loose - it took me awhile to calm down even after I had managed to make it safely back inside the house, and into one of the upstairs bedrooms.


I even kept preparation for this shoot down to a minimum...packing (along with my usual gear) only the rose-colored, silk blouse (cuz I thought it might look nice against the flaking, pink milk paint wall that I'd noticed the first time I went to the log house to take pictures with my phone), and the yardage of sheer, black fabric that I bought ages ago - but hadn't found a proper use for 'til now...I did maybe spend a leetle too much time futzuin' around with the black fabric pics. (185 total frames, and just under two hours...woah), but for some reason I never got frustrated or seriously pissed off…and it's definitely not like me to be that mellow when I'm struggling...


So see? There's not a whole lot to tell about this shoot…(which may be a good thing, who knows)…

Thursday, October 11, 2012

The Silo Treatment


(All pics. snapped on 10/10/12)

I did it, yo! I went through with the shoot that I'd gotten myself all worked up over whether to actually do it or not!


"What on earth could possibly be threatening about shooting in such extraordinarily serene and lush settings?!", you might be puzzling...


Well friends? It's like this: I've been doing a good bit of driving lately, up and down a particular four lane highway nearby - as I continue to search for my future place of residence. And with each trip, I've become more and more transfixed by a tantalizing farm, replete with seductive silos (seen in this group of selfpics), and various other structures that keep tempting me, daring me to stop in and snap their pictures. Problem is, there's no place to park my car, or my motorcycle - where they wouldn't advertise the possibility to passersby on the well-travelled highway - that somebody (I) was poaching on the private property...and because of that - I've repeatedly talked myself out of messing with it...until this past Saturday, when I finally grew a set (so to speak).


My two oldest girls are both away at boarding school, and my youngest daughter had gone out of town with a friend - which left only my son and me at home all alone for the weekend...and by midday on Saturday, we were becoming antsy and bored. So I asked, "Ya' wanna go with me to take pictures of old buildings?" He said, "Sure", and off we went on our extemporaneous field trip.


As I had correctly assumed, there would be no getting around leaving the car anywhere other than in a very obvious spot - but because I'd noticed a "For Sale" sign on the property, I came up with a strategy that might keep my boy and me from getting into trouble for trespassing. I decided that if anyone should confront us about why we were there, I would just tell them that the farm had caught my eye from the road, and that I was interested in possibly buying it...but I wanted to have a better look before I contacted a real estate agent...no harm, no foul there - am I right? :D


After being on the farm for only a few minutes, I was already smitten with the place, and so absurdly snap-happy that I forgot about worrying altogether. And just when I thought that I couldn't be any more delighted with the wealth of wonderful subject matter that I was finding there to shoot - I followed my son as he climbed into the first silo (the one in these pics. with the pink and green stained walls), and what I saw inside literally made me gasp...it was beyond spectacular...it was breathtaking...divine! It honestly felt like we'd entered some sort of wonderland...*sigh* (The second silo wasn't quite as good - but it was still pretty damned spectacular!)  


Naturally, my self-portraiture wheels started turning like mad...but came to a grinding halt when the thought of getting caught trespassing...nude...in a silo...by someone who might likely be angry, and who would definitely be addressing me via the only point of egress - threw the proverbial monkey wrench into the works. Oh, and did I mention the other negative variable in this equation? Those vines with the gorgeous leaves such lovely pastel shades of coral and green - carpeting the floor, and covering the walls of the first, my favorite of the two silos? Are poison ivy vines.........yeah. My mind reeled (practically exploded!) as I visualized the potentially devastating outbreak that I might suffer, should I allow my naked body to be caressed repeatedly by the evil stuff - over the course of a self-portrait shoot....

By Wednesday though, my reckless, impetuous side (ever the voice of reason) handily placed a chokehold on my tenuous, sensible side. Back me up here folks, I couldn't possibly thrive as an artist (or even a human, for that matter) if I let myself live life in fear - yes?

 Ok so, after I got back home from taking my kids to school that morning, I went around my yard clipping vines and wild flowers, that I then fashioned into wood nymph-esque costume elements for the shoot, and once done - I packed up my car, and set out.

Still nervous as hell, on my way to the farm - I felt better after coming up with a plan to do that thing where you leave a rag or a t-shirt or something, dangling from one of your car windows...(you know...to indicate [to people in general, but law enforcement mostly] that your stupid ride has broken down, and that you've gone to get help, but you'll be back...so please officer, don't tow my car...or bother to come looking for me) But as I approached the farm, I realized right away that my *brilliant* plan had been foiled...there was a tractor moving around in the barnyard, right next to the first silo. "Ah crap!", I thought (or maybe said) "What the heck should I do now?!" My entire agenda suddenly upended, I drove on past the property in a stupor, but then quickly changed lanes, did an immediate U-turn, and aimed my car back in the direction of the farm...I was simply gonna havta ask the farmer for his permission to take pics. there, cuz there wasn't any way that I was gonna scrap the shoot, without first being firmly told, "No".



I was absolutely floored and positively elated when the farmer gave me thumbs-up to take my selfies inside the silos!!! Dude was totally cool...he kept busy with his own tasks, and left me alone to do my thing. Although he did check in briefly, a couple of different times - once to make sure I hadn't hurt myself, and the other time to ask how much longer I would be. I honestly couldn't believe how completely chill the guy was...

Thank You SO MUCH for your kindness and generosity!!!

This story, I'm afraid - doesn't have a full-on happy ending, though...the poison ivy rash that I was dreading (but realistic enough to anticipate) - has already started to appear on various parts of my body…yikes.

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

I've Fallen...


(Both pics. snapped on 10/04/12)

...and I CAN get up...


To say that I didn't enjoy this shoot, would actually be sort of sugar-coating the truth...cuz the truth is - I pretty much hated every aspect of it...and even worse, the pictures turned out to be complete and total duds. Bleh.

I'll refrain from itemizing each and every grievance that I have with what went down on this (actually very cool) abandoned farm, the day I shot there though - partly because I'm in too good of a mood to be all whiney, and complainy...but also because, although I did wanna check in with you guys (to let you know that I haven't gone missing), I just don't have much time right now, to scribble a whole lot.

However, (assuming I don't psyche myself out of going through with the shoot that I've been all nervous and fidgety about for the last coupla days) I oughtta be back in a jiff…

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

I Saw the Light


(All pics. snapped on 10/02/12)

I know what you're probably thinking, "Jesus Christ, Lauralyn...really? Another set of selfpics. taken in some dingy, old, crudded-up, tear-down?!"...and although I could throw out excuses for running this theme into the ground the way that I do - like: "But it was pouring down rain outside, and I wanted to work indoors where my camera would keep safe and dry"...and then make flimsy statements - like: "Ok...I promise after this entry, I'll give abandoned houses a rest for awhile, and try to find more original locations in which to shoot."...










…but I won't do that...not this time, nor maybe ever again. Because what I've come to realize (admit?) is that I'm kidding myself and my readers, every time that I apologize for recycling this idea, while also pledging to switch things up indefinitely.

I've been enamored of abandoned buildings for most of my adult life - but have become even more so, since finding I had a passion for photography...to the point where I'm practically as addicted as one can be to making any single, specific subject their primary (not sole, mind - I'm talking primary) focus. And, (much as I hate to be the bearer of potentially disappointing news) I doubt that my obsession with searching for, discovering, and documenting such fascinating structures - will do anything but become more pronounced, over time.

 I suppose if I'm to apologize for anything, it should probably be for that then (and that I'm wearing clothes in every pic. in this post, HA!)...I seriously am sorry though, if my pictures are starting to bore you guys - but I gotta follow my heart, and keep doin' this shit for myself, first and foremost.