Travesty Loc: Chicago Burbs, USA

Thank you so much Argus :) I think the biggest thing for you doing digital B&W would be adjusting contrast.. Not that I am an authority, but I love old B&W film shots.... :)

Travesty Loc: Chicago Burbs, USA

One more for the set.... This is an old grain elevator along the tracks where the countries largest sheep yard was very near my home....

In the late 1800s, the Burlington Railroad built the last layover station for feeding, watering, and resting cattle and sheep on the way from the Western Grasslands to the Chicago Stockyards. It was located West of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy tracks, north of Webster Street, on both sides of Route 31, and the yards were located between Aucutt and Jericho roads, west from Route 31 to Blackberry Creek. just South of Aurora, IL in Montgomery, IL After blocking Lake Street (Route 31), sheep were moved across and driven through pastureland behind several farmhouses along Aucutt Road. There was 1000 acres of pasture, divided by fences and gates. Over one million animals were handled and sheared each year.


A public domain image when it was still in use from the track side....

ArgusSnap1 Loc: Indiana

I remember the Burlington! In August 1968--I had just turn 15-we moved to Ft Wayne In from Cherry Hill N.J. I had cousins at the time that lived in Naperville that my family would drive to visit. A year after I moved to Ft. Wayne my best friend from Cherry Hill moved also to Naperville. So when I was in high school there was an Amtrak route known as the Broadway Limited that traveled from Chicago to NYC by way of Washington DC I believe. I use to take it from Ft Wayne to Chicago all the time. My friend would meet at Union Station and we'd take the Burlington to Naperville to his parents home. Most the time I traveled at night but sometimes I'd get to Chicago early daytime and we walk to Old Town(is that still there?) and browse all the shops.

My real regret however is that I did not bring my camera with me---such missed opportunities. Just before we left N.J. my dad took his severance pay and bought a Topcon Auto 100 and gave me his old Argus Markfinder(not the brick) and a Weston Light Meter measured in Westons. WE went to Atlantic City to take pics of the ocean(regret not getting any of the Boardwalk ) and he taught me how to use it. We shot Kodachrome! I'm sure your aware that Kodachrome was the only color film that would last and sure enough I have many photos my Dad took with with the color is as good as new from the early 50's possibly late 40's.

I was not skilled with that camera then and did not think to try to take pictures then. I started using it during my last year of college when we had a small darkroom in my dorm and started playing with B/W-really didn't know what I was doing but I used that camera and meter with good results. I still have both the camera and meter --when I unpack them I'll take them out for a spin.

I like what you do focusing on history and working in a documentary genre. That has always been my interest however with digital photography that has changed--its not so easy using photography as a record of fact since so much is altered.

The first photographers I fell in love with are the FSA--Farm Security Photographers--hired by the Fed Gov. to take pictures of the country during the depression. Many very good photographers--Walker Evans,Dorothea Lang,Margret Bourke-White and so many others. The collection was published in a large book entitled "A Vision Share." I could really relate to it coming from a N.J. burb and traveling through Rural Indiana(I Love) and finding similar subject matter. Now I live in Columbus Indiana(40mi) south of Indianapolis very close to the country.

Well you probably did not want such a long story but very much appreciate your style and have you on a buddy list--you can be my digi mentor-so I can pick your brain and watch your photography grow. I don'y remember the details of Chicago and the train --I'm 62 now and it's hard to remember any thing now--heh,heh-but thanks so much. Joan

ArgusSnap1 Loc: Indiana

Sorry-- I thought I was talking Travesty on a personal page-oops! So feel to disregard fellow hogs. Sorry again.

Travesty Loc: Chicago Burbs, USA

Thank you so much for sharing you memories Joan.. :) I don't think anyone here minds as long as you are OK with them reading it.. :) I am over 50 now and the memory is not as sharp as it once was, so I better start sharing what I have up there before I loose it all together... :)

bdk Loc: Sanibel Fl.

I love old abandoned falling down houses. Great shots....

Travesty Loc: Chicago Burbs, USA

Thanks bdk.... :) They make such wonderful subjects... So much character and stories to tell....