In this place we intend to display an image from one of our contributors or readers each issue. So this is an invitation to contact us about the specifications (and learn
a bit about our prejudices). We'd like to use ones we think are pretty successful, but we have no problem using a photograph that has a problem, or which might be improved.

Comments from our editors:

The shapes and forms stand out nicely, and there is always interest in old buildings, especially when they are in a ghost town. But the image is flawed because the facade of the front building is not well-lit. Given its position and prominence we need to be able to see more of its features, and as it is, we can barely make out the windows and door. Here's a case where no amount of manipulation in Photoshop will correct that, which is a pity because the composition is otherwise pretty and good.

The photographer might have moved a few steps to the right, moved in a bit closer,and sat down on the ground to shoot this; the fronts of the buildings would then have loomed above us, and the form of those false fronts would have stood out against the sky even more. Clearly the most important thing would be to wait until the light on the front was better. The sky is also fairly empty—a cooperative cloud, or even a jet contrail might have helped.

No. 1 April 2006

This photograph was taken about 25 years ago in a ghost town about halfway between Aspen, Colorado and Independence Pass. It was made with a 35mm camera using Tri-X, my favored film at the time.

I wanted to include both false-fronts of course, but also a good view of the side walls, with all the chinking material, which was probably just mud, washed away. In looking at it now, I should probably have moved in tighter, shot it vertically, and been more concerned to get the fronts properly exposed than the side in sunlight. Incidentally, that's snow on the gound (in July) not white sand. And I remember the day because it was cold as the devil at about 12,000 feet.