kenmcall
FollowOur vehicle ended up with a flat tire on a lonely stretch of road in North Central Washington State. As we worked on changing the tire I saw this sign across th...
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Our vehicle ended up with a flat tire on a lonely stretch of road in North Central Washington State. As we worked on changing the tire I saw this sign across the road. The lighting and retro nature of the sign begged for a photograph. If there was a motel anywhere in the vicinity I didn't see it.
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Contest Finalist in Summer Road Trip Photo Contest 2019
Contest Finalist in Favorite Travel Memory Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Letters And Words Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Finding Letters Photo Contest
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Amateur Winner Billboards And Other Signs Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Billboards And Other Signs Photo Contest
Runner Up in The Tourist Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in The Tourist Photo Contest
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kenmcall
March 11, 2013
Just want to say thanks, everyone, for your kind comments. And thanks to Viewbug for featuring the photo.
robertmcdill
August 11, 2019
I like the simplicity of this shot. This does make me wonder where the motel is or was since the sign is still being lit.
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Behind The Lens
Location
In Coulee City, Washington, USATime
At dusk, in May, sometime between 8 and 9pm.Lighting
The beautiful natural evening light of the near desert conditions in central Washington State leant itself wonderfully to the light coming from the sign. I certainly can take no credit for the lighting itself. It was all there to be captured.Equipment
Nikon D7000 and AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED lens. No tripodInspiration
Taking advantage of car trouble. We were driving back to British Columbia though central Washington State after visiting family in Spokane, when we discovered we had a flat tire just outside of Coulee City. We found the only gas station open at the time, and while they helped with the tire I noticed this great retro motel sign right across the road. The natural light and the illumination of the sign just begged for a photo to be taken. I love old retro signs like this, and this seems to be the genuine article. It feels like it belongs on Route 66 somewhere.Editing
Typical RAW processing, and I reduced the exposure a bit to bring out the sign's light. I also removed some unsightly power lines that intruded across the top of the photo.In my camera bag
My Nikon D7000 and the Nikkor 18-105mm kit lens, as well as a Nikkor 35mm prime and 50mm prime. I also try to have a tripod and reflector handy in the car at all times, as well as a Joby Gorillapod. My iPhone is always handy as well.Feedback
This was a situation where observation of your surroundings and taking advantage of a situation resulted in a decent photo. I was in a hurry to get home, and without the flat tire, I doubt if I would have stopped. But when forced to halt the journey, I had a chance to look around, and this image was basically handed to me. So out of this my one piece of advice is to always be on the lookout for a great photo opportunity. They can happen anytime, even in the most unlikely of situations.