Artist in Salt Lake City, UT.
A lot of the places I photograph often leave me wondering what they might have been like in their heyday. I also daydream of what it would be like to have my studio space inside because they are all so cool. This place in Texas looked like someone pushed pause and left it for a few decades.
An abandoned gas station in Echo Utah.
Going to Shiprock to photograph the landscape has been something I have wanted to do for some time. I never knew about this beautifully dramatic landscape, even though I grew up very close to it, until I saw the work of William Clift on display at the Phoenix Art Museum. His work shows similarity between this landscape and the castle on the beach of Mont St Michel in France. It was such a great experience to explore this natural masterpiece, time to plan a trip to France!
So the day finally came that they closed the Sears store on State Street in Salt Lake City. I used to commute by here and once I noticed it was closed up, I had to shoot it before the building disappears. This was my first attempt and developing color 4×5 film and while it isn’t perfect, I really love how it turned out.
On a road trip driving through Colorado, I saw this awesome collection of barrels and knew I had to stop. There wasn’t time or great light when we went by the first time so I took a mental note to stop when we were headed back home. On the way back, we came up quick on this spot and pulled over for a quick shoot and run.
Great vintage signage in Lamesa Texas.
Every time I explore Stansbury Island on the Great Salt Lake, I feel like I could be out on the Northern California Coastline. But I do love when the tumbleweeds get caught up in shallow waters.
Some frames from the first pack of 4×5 color film I shot. These were taken a few years back and just re-discovering them as I go through my negatives. Shooting film is my preferred medium especially because you always have the original, a negative that you can do so much with. I love going through the tangible pieces and remembering something that I might have forgotten about.
I had been looking forward to Summer 2018 because we were heading out to visit the In-laws in Texas and I have always loved the lone star state. There are so many wonderful small towns and that makes me feel right at home. There is so much character found in every corner and I enjoy exploring all the interesting landscapes. This was also the last trip that I shot using instant film on a Polaroid 600se which was a bitter sweet end to my work using this medium.
A warm welcome to an abandoned building complete with weeds growing inside.
Mike Hansen Photography