Has anyone visited the "ghost town" of Bodie, CA?
Jun 1, 2019 00:31:26 #
Bettona
Loc: San Francisco Bay area
Has anyone visited the "ghost town" of Bodie, CA? This old gold-mining town is a state park, preserved in a state of "arrested decay." My husband and I live about 4 hours by car west of Bodie, and are thinking of making a photo trip to the area next week (if it ever stops raining). The eerie photographs I've seen show homes, a Chinese laundry, a bank, a church, a stable and numerous other buildings all maintained as if the inhabitants had suddenly vanished. The pictures have one thing in common: there are no people in them, making me suspect they were taken when the park was closed. My question is this: is it possible to take pictures of the buildings without including hordes of tourists or is the park simply too crowded? Thank you.
Jun 1, 2019 02:19:48 #
Yes I have been there. It was quite a few years ago but there were not a lot of people there. Nothing like Yosemite.
Jun 1, 2019 07:07:52 #
Did a search on UHH.
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/search-topic-list?q=bodie%2C+ca§num=0&username=
You can see how many people are around in images.
Don't forget the mining mill tour as it is guided by one of the rangers.
You get to see old industrial equipment with explanation!!
Post images here on UHH.
Pat
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/search-topic-list?q=bodie%2C+ca§num=0&username=
You can see how many people are around in images.
Don't forget the mining mill tour as it is guided by one of the rangers.
You get to see old industrial equipment with explanation!!
Post images here on UHH.
Pat
Jun 1, 2019 12:39:51 #
Not an issue when I there in fall of 2017 - when taking pictures, the other folks would walk behind me or wait until I finished - I was grateful and thanked them... I did not have any problems with people cutting in front of my camera or photobombing the photos... Some pics I wanted folks included (for perspective) and had to wait for them to wander into the picture...
Jun 1, 2019 16:22:04 #
Bettona wrote:
Has anyone visited the "ghost town" of B... (show quote)
Go early and you will have fewer tourists to deal with. Some clubs, mine was one, get a permit for the club to shoot at the park and then the group can shoot inside the buildings and get to arrive for a few hours prior to the park opening. You can look online for these opportunities and see if you can sign up for such a group. Michael Frye, I believe, does offer this opportunity. Other than these suggestions just be patient and make sure you have a lot of time to wait people out for the exterior shots you want.
Jun 2, 2019 07:46:33 #
Bettona wrote:
Has anyone visited the "ghost town" of B... (show quote)
I was just there, about the middle of May. The park had just opened a day or so before. Snow and water blacking a few areas, but should be gone by now. I was surprised by the number of people there, but it is a big place, so the crowd spreads out. It is entirely possible to frame your shots to keep them human free.
Jun 2, 2019 08:26:08 #
Definitely go and plan for a full day. As mentioned the place is large and you’ll find something to shoot. Go off season and early when there are fewer people. Check out the graveyard area a bit outside of the city (obviously) where few people usually go. There are groups come in for photo shoots, but they’ll stay out of your way. Some building they will let you in to take photos of artifacts and many you cannot enter so bring polarizing filters to eliminate reflections. It’s a place where time has stopped and begs one to use a tripod to really setup and compose your images. Try also doing black and white on purpose. It’s a target rich environment.
Jun 2, 2019 09:41:33 #
Dan Mc
Loc: NM
Anytime the word "Park" is involved, there is no "best time" because parks have opening and closing hours...it is simply something we have to contend with...:-(
Jun 2, 2019 10:24:08 #
Jun 2, 2019 10:34:56 #
Bettona wrote:
Has anyone visited the "ghost town" of B... (show quote)
We were there last October and crowds were fine you can get shots without people in them.
Jun 2, 2019 10:42:18 #
Bettona wrote:
Has anyone visited the "ghost town" of B... (show quote)
I used to live very close to Bodie. Make the trip. You’ll love it. You will also be very close to Yosemite.
Jun 2, 2019 10:44:02 #
Jun 2, 2019 10:45:49 #
I’ve Ben to the park half a dozen times and never saw more that a dozen people there at any one time.
It’s about a 13 mi trip off the main Hwy and the road leading into the park is gravel and wash boarded. It’s not real easy to get to.
It’s about a 13 mi trip off the main Hwy and the road leading into the park is gravel and wash boarded. It’s not real easy to get to.
Jun 2, 2019 10:52:27 #
Jun 2, 2019 10:59:59 #
Bettona wrote:
Has anyone visited the "ghost town" of B... (show quote)
It's a pretty cool place to go and shoot. Bring a 10 stop ND filter and a tripod. Do a 30 second exposure and the people will disappear from your shot. Google that if you want to know more or use YouTube and check out some of the videos on how to do a long exposure. Stop by some of the lakes on your way there. Mono lake is fun to shoot. Go at sunset for a nice bunch of pictures.
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