Shutter Mike Photography

This is part 2 of my posts on “vintage” signs that are worth photographing in the Phoenix area.  Part one focused on Grand Ave from downtown Phoenix to Glendale.  Part 2 heads out to the East Valley in Mesa, AZ.  It is appropriate that all of the signs in this post are on Main St. given the “All-Americaness” of a Main St. in the US and the truly American invention of the roadside motel and neon sign.  Mesa’s Main St. is dotted with several classic roadside motels from the middle of the last century when a family road trip was the ideal summer vacation.  There are several other businesses along this stretch of Mesa that followed suit with the classic neon signs of their motel neighbors.  That makes for a great photography outing in Mesa day or night (although I shot all of these signs when they are at their best – glowing at night).

When heading out to Mesa if you stick to Main St. between Lindsey Rd. and Dobson Rd. you will be able to capture most of the better signs that are still actively maintained and lit most nights.  Check out my Photography Guide Google map that pin points each of the signs in this post.

Also, if you are going to attempt the night shots be sure to refer to my posts on improving night photography and ISO.  Keep those tips in mind so that you get the best photos possible.

Click on any of the images to see a larger version.

This sign is one of my absolute favorite.  It is also the first one you will come to if you start at the east end of the route at Lindsey Rd (see Map Guide).  It belongs to the Starlite Motel and features a woman diving into a swimming pool.  The sign lights up in four stages starting with the woman at the top jumping off, then she is in mid dive, and finally hitting the water (the 4th light is the water at the bottom that lights up when she hits it).

Here are a few tips to help you photograph this vintage neon sign:

There is a parking lot to the west of the motel on Main St. that for me, was the ideal spot to shoot.

If you want to capture all of the steps lit up at once make sure your shutter speed is slow enough.

Play around with different shutter speeds, apertures and ISO to get the ideal shot.

A little post processing editing may be necessary to get the coloring and balance just right.

Am I allowed two favorites?  The Pat’s Bicycle Shop sign features an in-motion arrow and a classic bike with the word “Schwinn” next to it.  I also photographed this particular sign during the day and posted it as a Photo of the Day a while back.

The same general night time photography tips for the Starlite above apply to photographing the Pat’s sign as well.  The parking lot in front of the store is ideal for capturing the sign.  If you want to get more than the sign itself try from across the street with a telephoto lens.

The Ham Bone Bar and Grill sign is next door to Pat’s Bicycle Shop.  It is a combination of neon and the more common lighted panel so it strays a bit from the “vintage” concept of the other signs in this post.  But it is representative of a business that is trying to maintain the look and feel of the area with a classic style sign.

The Sally’s Fabrics sign is not what you would expect for a fabric store.  It is rather large and of course neon and has been described as a “Vegas style sign.”  Although it might be a bit subdued for Vegas.  I was not able to find anything on its history, but the store itself has been around for quite some time.  So even if the sign is not technically vintage, I give Sally’s Fabrics props for maintaining the look and feel of its Main St. neighbors.

Bill Johnson’s Big Apple Steakhouse has been part of the Phoenix area for about 45 years.  The signage on Main St. just west of Stapley in Mesa doesn’t seem to date back quite that far, but the steakhouse has gone with the neon theme of Main St.  The steer in the middle is more contemporary in its design, but you still get the overall effect.  The “Let’s Eat” sign at the left is not the restaurant’s main sign, but as I was photographing from across the street in the Sally’s Fabrics parking lot I was not able to get a  good shot of the main sign.  You win some, you lose some.

Stay tuned for the next installment in the classic signs posts in the Phoenix area which will have more from Main St. in Mesa.

This might seem like a peculiar “best” list – signs?  But if you really look around, you will start to notice things that are just part of everyday life that are really worth taking a  second look at through your camera lens.  I personally think signs, older signs in particular, are often works of art.  Most modern signs seem to have been  made at the quickie sign shop and are void of personality.  But vintage signs made a statement about the business they represented.  I think that makes those that have been preserved, which unfortunately are far too few, a very interesting subject for some creative photography.

Phoenix as a city is relatively new.  It has seen a growth spurt in the last few decades.  As seems to often be the case, metropolitan growth in the Phoenix area put progress before preservation in many instances.  As far as signs go that means many were lost and some were “modernized” and just lost their original character.  But if you appreciate things a little vintage and want to capture some photographs of signage in the Phoenix area you are not completely out of luck.

The signs in this first post are all along Grand Ave from the downtown Phoenix area at 7th Ave. and Van Buren St. through to Glendale at 75th Ave. and Olive Ave.  (Note that Grand Ave. cuts across the city diagonally)  Check out the Google Map I have set up for details on the locations of each of these signs.

Depending on where you are in the valley you may want to start at whichever end of Grand Ave. that is closer to you.  But for the sake of this “tour” we will start downtown at the three-way intersection of Grand, 7th Ave, and Van Buren.   The Best West Inn looks like it has seen better days and the neighborhood is one you might want to avoid after dark.  But the signage on the roof for the City Center Motel, as the Best West Inn was once known, is an awesome classic space-age sign.  The motel itself also boasts some great mid-century modern roadside motel architecture.

Also check out the Friendship Inn Motel across the street.  The sign is not as interesting and I suspect not the original.  But the building is a nice find if you are into classic motels.

Heading northwest up Grand Ave. (remember it cuts through Phoenix at a diagonal) to Fillmore St. you come to Smith Radiator Exchange, or what used to be Smith.  I believe the building now has another purpose, but the old neon sign still sits atop the roof.  The rusting metal adds character to this vintage sign and presents some good photo opportunities.  I only have a close up of the sign here, but getting it in the context of its neighborhood could add more to the photographic story of this old sign.

Grand Ave. has a lot of character if you take the time to search it out and really see beyond the surface.  What may seem like another run down part of town has some gems for a photographer.  I am only highlighting what you might find here.  But keep an eye out for a lot more.

Next on my list is Mel’s Diner at Culver St.  Although it was not filmed here, it is said that this was the inspiration for the late 70’s TV sitcom Alice which took place in Phoenix.  The diner only became Mel’s in name long after the show ended however.  Reviews of the food at the diner are mixed, but you don’t need to order up any eggs and grits to capture the classic diner sign out in the parking lot.  If you’re brave stick around until dark to see how the setting sun and night lights change the sign.

Cross I-17 and you will come to one of my favorite Grand Ave. signs, Mr. Lucky’s on the north side of the street just past 35th Ave.  I came across this one by chance, not knowing it was there before heading out on my Grand Ave. tour.  I am still not exactly sure what Mr. Lucky’s is, a bar or nightclub it seems.  But the sign looks like a vintage Vegas casino and it is just a fun classic sign that has a lot of photographic potential.  The colors are vibrant (although they were undoubtedly much more vibrant before years in the harsh Phoenix sun) and the grand scale of the size set it apart from some of the other signs I have listed.

After Mr. Lucky’s we have two more classic roadside motels.  Back in the 1950’s and 60’s, before the freeway system cut back and forth across Phoenix, Grand Ave was a major travel thoroughfare with motels, inns and motor lodges up and down its diagonal stretch through the city.  Today most of those have fallen on hard times and few are operating motels anymore.  Or at least not the kind of motel you would want to spend too much vacation time in.  But they have manged to hang on to their classic signs, vacancy add on and all.  The first you will come to is the Crystal Motel. It even boasts a rare amenity in those days, refrigerated, i.e air conditioning.

Finally (at least as far as this list goes) is the Two Palms Motel just before you hit Olive Ave.  This sign is in pretty good repair and would probably be worth a trip out at night to see if it looks as good lit up as it does in the day light.

Don’t limit yourself to just the signs I list here, or even to just signs for that matter.  Take some time to really explore areas like Grand Ave that you might otherwise have driven past without noticing.  Notice it through your camera lens and it can be a whole different world.

Check back soon for Part II of my vintage signs posts for another area of Phoenix that you may not have noticed before.

When I first started this blog I did a post featuring some photography I did of the mid-century modern architecture that is scattered around the Phoenix area.  I love this architectural style and period and think Phoenix has a good representation of it.  The city was “coming of age” in the 1950’s and 60’s when modern architecture was very popular and architects were exploring beyond the traditional.  This style is ideal for photography, especially if you are an architecture buff as I am.  The lines, shapes and overall form of the structures allow for some great compositions and plenty of room for creativity.

If you are interested in what Phoenix has to offer in terms of mid-century modern photo ops I have created a Google map pin pointing some of the buildings that I feel are most representative of the style and photogenic.

View Mid Centruy Modern Phoenix Buildings in a larger map

Hoover Dam holds back the Colorado River at the Arizona/Nevada border.  By doing so it generates 4 billion kilowatt hours of electricity a year, enough to provide power to 1.3 million people annually.  The structure is impressive with its 4.3 million cubic yards of concrete and Art Deco design aesthetic.   Although traffic over the dam is often congested with people going to and from Las Vegas it is well worth parking the car and getting out to photograph the dam and its supporting structures.  Aside from the dam, the surrounding landscape and Lake Mead, which was formed behind the dam, also offer some great photography opportunities.  To avoid getting the quick tourist snap shots that often result from a trip to a monument such as Hoover Dam be sure to take your time to explore the details and possible shots.

If there is one thing that you simply must photograph in Phoenix it is the sunsets.  Having said that, as you can well imagine, there are a lot of great spots in and around Phoenix where you can capture some spectacular sunsets.  So I have had to narrow my list down to keep things manageable.  These may not be the top five spots to photograph a sunset in Phoenix, but I contend that they are among the top.  Also, if you want a sunset shot that is a little more than the standard that you see on all the postcards, a few of these spots, when combined with some imagination and creative thinking, could get you that unique shot.  So check out when the sun is due to set, grab your camera (and tripod) and head out to any of these spots to capture your next great sunset photograph.

South Mountain Preserve

South Mountain encompasses a very large area.  It has hiking trails, picnic areas, and numerous other facilities available.  But if you want the perfect sunset spot you need to get yourself to the summit.  This is a very well known vista, so head up early to stake out a good spot, especially if you are going on a weekend.  Exit I-10 on Baseline Rd and head west to Central Ave.  Turn South on Central and take it to the entrance of the park.  Once in the park, follow Telegraph Pass Rd up to the summit.  Park the car and set up your camera in area that overlooks downtown Phoenix.  You will have a perfect vantage point to view the entire valley out to the west and the setting sun.  If you have a wide angle lens try getting the city with the sunset in the background.

The summit is the quintessential Phoenix sunset.  But if you want something a little different that might be a little harder to get and require a little more creativity drive past the road to the summit parking lot and take Buena Vista Rd to S. TV Rd.  You will understand why it is called TV road soon enough.  Take the road until it dead ends at a parking lot.  This vantage point does not have a clear view of the western setting sun.  But it does offer several opportunities for a “non-traditional” sunset photograph.  Try capturing the mountain top filled with TV and cell phone antennas with the glow of the setting sun behind them.

Camelback Mountain

If you have been to Phoenix you are probably familiar with Camelback Mountain.  It is the one in the middle of it all and if you squint a bit and use your imagination it does look like a camel.  You can approach the camel from the rear or from the head and find great sunset photography spots.  Unlike South Mountain which you can drive to, a car will only get you so far with Camelback.  Be prepared to hike a bit for these shots, especially if coming up from the rear.  (Note that hiking in Arizona requires some forethought and preparation – DO NOT FORGET THE WATER).

For the rear (or eastern) route you will find parking off Invergordon Rd between Camelback Rd and McDonald Rd (near the Phoenician Resort).  If coming up the front, park near McDonald and Tatum.  Keep in mind parking can be limited depending on when you go.  Depending on your hiking skills and speed it can take an hour or more to reach a vantage point where you can capture a great shot.  So plan your timing accordingly and make sure you can make it up before the sun sets.  Also keep in mind you then have to hike back down.  So don’t wait too long after sunset to start heading back down as this could be a difficult feat in the dark.  But this one is worth the extra effort.

Piestewa Peak

As long as you are in hiking mode, consider Piestewa Peak (formerly known as Squaw Peak) for another location to catch the setting sun on film (or digital sensor).  The peak rises above Phoenix at about 2,600 feet.  So as you can imagine, you are going to get some great views.  Depending on how much of a challenge you are up for (and how in shape you are) you have two trail options to get up to the views.  The Summit Trail is just over a mile and falls into the “challenging” category.  But you are going to get views along the whole route and once you make it to the summit you will very glad you did.  City views galore!  Option two is the Circumference Trail.  It is a much longer hike, about 3.75 miles, but the ascent up the peak is much more gradual.  Plus you still get the views along the way and at your destination.  Piestewa is the place you want to go if after getting your sunset shots you want to try your hand at some city lights photography.  The only drawback is you are going to have to haul your tripod up (and back down) the mountain.  But I think you will find it well worth the extra effort.

To get to Piestewa Peak head up the 51 freeway and exit at Glendale Rd.  Take Glendale (it will change names and become Lincoln) east until you hit Squaw Peak Drive.  Parking and trail heads will be at the end of this road after passing through some residential areas.

Steele Indian School Park

Up until this location I have taken you above the city for three mountain top sunset photography opportunities.  Steel Indian School Park offers an option you may not have thought of before.  Located off Indian School Rd between Central Ave and 7^th St. the park is a vast urban oasis (don’t get it confused with Indian School Park in Scottsdale).  Offering grassy hills, a lake, diverse landscapes and historic buildings you may need to spend some time before the sun sets to scout out the location and settings you want to capture with the sunset.  Consider getting the nearby skyscrapers in your viewfinder and playing with the sun reflecting in the glass facades.  The lake area can also be ideal when it comes to the setting sun.  Reflections on the water can make for some beautiful photographs.  No strenuous hiking required with Steele Indian School Park, but you might have to strain the brain a bit to get your creativity flowing.  The opportunities abound here if you take some time to scope things out.

Phoenix Desert Botanical Garden

If you have read any of my blog in the past you will know that I have an affinity for the Phoenix Desert Botanical Garden.  It is great for early morning photography, desert vegetation photography, and wildlife photography so it stands to reason you are going to be all set for some great sunset photography as well.  This is the only location on the list that has a fee associated with it, but still well worth spending a little cash for a great desert sunset photograph.  To get there exit the 202 freeway at the 52^nd St/ Van Buren exit and head east.  Signage will direct you to the garden entrance off Galvin Parkway.

Get to the garden early to both enjoy the beautifully designed acres of desert landscaping and to scout for an ideal vantage point for your sunset photograph.  The cool thing is that there are so many possibilities and you can create some gorgeous art by taking some time and finding the perfect vista to point your camera to.  Be sure to consider using the vegetation and structures as foreground or background for your photograph.  The red rocks of nearby Papago Park (a potential 6^th spot?) are another element you will definitely want to play with in your shots.

There you have it – five top spots in the Phoenix area for sunset photography and no more excuses for not getting out there and taking your best sunset photograph.  Good luck!

One  of this weekend’s photo outings was to Paolo Soleri’s Cosanti.  This is the foundry where Soleri’s metal and ceramic wind bells are designed, made and sold.  The architecture of the buildings is all by Soleri as well and follows his Archology theory of design which is, essentially, a very organic aesthetic.  The buildings almost grow from the earth and appear haphazard and to some degree “homemade.”  A little further north of Phoenix is Arcosanti, the prototype of Soleri’s urban alternative architecture that he calls Archology – a combination of architecture and ecology.  Both Cosanti and Arcosanti are fantastically photographic places – especially if you love architecture and nature, as they combine the two very well.

I called this post an “attempt” at photographing lightning because it was the first time I ever tried to capture one of the frequent summer lightning storms in Arizona.  And, although I actually did capture some lightning on my camera’s sensor, I feel that there is a lot of room for improvement.

I won’t give any how-to tips on this particular subject.  For one, I have a long way to go before mastering the successful lightning shot and second, there are already some great sources out there on the subject.  My favorite source for photography how-to advice, the Digital Photography School, has a great tutorial on How to Photograph Lightning.

I weeded through a lot of shots to pick out these three.  These were all taken between 7 and  7:30 pm on September 8th.  So just after the official sunset.  The camera was set to aperture priority.  I did some minor editing in Photoshop to tweak exposure and crop them.  But for the most part they are true to how they were shot.

Click on any image to see an enlarged version.

Left – f/6.3 – 1/125 sec – ISO 100 – Focal Length 18 mm

Right – f/8 – 1/100 sec – ISO 100 – Focal Length 24 mm

Left – f/7.1 – 1/400 sec – ISO 100 – Focal Length 22 mm

Right – f/20 – 1/30 sec – ISO 100 – Focal Length 18 mm

f/11 – 1/320 sec – ISO 100 – Focal Length 30 mm

I went on a photo excursion to the relatively new Tempe Center for the Arts the other day.  I had never been before and love the architecture of this building.  I did not get a chance to go inside, but if it is half as impressive as the outside I will look forward to getting a chance to see it.  I am going to post my general photographs of the building and grounds soon.  But in the mean time I played around with focal length in one series of photos just for the sake of comparing what I got by standing in one spot and adjusting the focal settings.

I set the camera on aperture priority and kept the aperture constant at f/13.  Since the camera was setting the shutter speed it varied slightly but only between 1/30 and 1/40 second.  Then I focused on one spot and shot a series of photographs using 5 of the various focal lengths of m my 18-70mm lens.  Here are the results.

Focal Length = 18 mm

Focal Length = 26 mm

Focal Length = 35 mm

Focal Length = 50 mm

Focal Length = 70 mm

I have photographed Arizona Falls before.  I really like the industrial feel that mixes so well with the artistic side of the facility.  The lighting at night adds yet another dimension to this hydroelectric power generator in between Phoenix and Scottsdale.  (Click on any image below to see a larger version)

f/5.6- 4 sec – ISO 100 – Focal Length 30mm