Scenes from just up the road...

I had an uncle named Jim when I was growing up (he and my aunt divorced eventually, and we lost touch) who was a small business owner, entrepreneur and generally a hustler (not in a gangster rap kind of way but in a deal maker kind of way). He lived in Anaheim, CA. off of Interstate 5 which basically runs from Mexico to Canada. I remember that when doing business on the phone, he'd rattle off to potential customers that he was "just up the road" from wherever they happened to be. Sometimes, they were a few miles away, sometimes hundreds. But to my uncle Jim, anything off of I-5 was "just up the road".

While these images weren't all found off the I-5, I'm certain that my uncle Jim would have considered them all near enough to each other to refer to them as just up the road...

The Octopus, Parking lot carnival. Upland, CA. ©Mike Vega 2013 Canon Ae-1 50mm f2.8 100asa Kodak T-Max.

Cruella DeVille working the crowd on Main Street USA. Disneyland, Anaheim, CA. ©Mike Vega 2013 Canon Ae-1 50mm f2.8 100asa Kodak T-Max.

Getty Museum. Los Angeles, CA. ©Mike Vega 2013 Canon Ae-1 50mm f2.8 100asa Kodak T-Max.

Getty Museum Garden. Los Angeles, CA. ©Mike Vega 2013 Canon Ae-1 50mm f2.8 100asa Kodak T-Max.

Citrus Belt Bank Savings and Loan. Riverside, CA. ©Mike Vega 2013 Canon Ae-1 50mm f2.8 100asa Kodak T-Max.

'till next time.
-Mike

They aren't all gone...

If you've been to Disneyland's California Adventure park, you may have seen or ridden the "Red Car" trolley. These cars (though much smaller in scale) were literally modeled after the famous Red Car trolleys of the 1950's that traveled from Los Angeles proper into outlying areas as far east as Redlands, CA.

The Disney Imagineers took time to travel back in time, by paying several visits to the Orange Empire Railway Museum in Perris, CA. which has in it's collection several original and restored Red Cars.

I recently traveled there myself, with my wife, daughter and some close friends.
There is easily more than a single days worth of things to see and experience. I am going to share a little bit with you today.

3100. Perris, CA. ©Mike Vega 2013
Minolta Hi-Matic 100asa B/W 35mm film

The car above is typical of what would have traveled the streets of Los Angeles, from Eagle Rock to Inglewood and everywhere in between in the 1950's. When buses arrived, their look mimicked the trolleys.

This wonderful facility was the brainchild of a group of highly industrious teen-agers, who in the 1960's, had the foresight and presence of mind to raise funds and begin collecting trolleys and rail cars that were becoming obsolete thanks to increased private car ownership and buses taking on mass transit duties.

The L.A.R. "barn" houses several vintage restored trolleys. ©Mike Vega 2013
Minolta Hi-Matic 100asa B/W 35mm film

The founders began by storing their collection in Los Angeles by starting the Travel Town Rail Museum, which is still in operation today and houses an amazing steam engine collection.
When space became an issue, land was acquired in Perris, and became the Orange Empire facility.

1920's Pullman car. ©Mike Vega 2013
1950 Tower 120 Kodak Ektar 100asa Color film.

In addition to the trolleys, the collection includes steam locomotives, Pullman cars, narrow gauge trains and cars, push-cars, vintage signage, and on and on...

2564 patiently awaits funds for restoration. ©Mike Vega 2013
Minolta Hi-Matic 100asa B/W 35mm film.

The O.E.R.M. grounds are expansive and all of the work, restoration, gift shop staff, docents, maintenance etc. is done by volunteers. It is indeed a labour of love. There is an on site metal shop, wood shop, paint area, steam engine barn and more.

The love that the volunteers have for these wonderful machines from a by-gone era is contagious. I can hardly wait to go back!

Maybe i'll see ya' there!

-Mike

Life in exile...

It's been several weeks since I've visited the Magic Kingdom; however, in just 2 short weeks, I'll be heading back, to gorge myself on churro's, Dole-whips, frozen lemonade and the sights and sounds of Walt's dream come true...

Sleeping Beauties Castle. Disneyland, Anaheim, CA. ©Mike Vega 2013
1950 Tower 120 100asa Kodak Ektar Color film

So, in anticipation of returning to the fun park, I've selected a few images that I shot in June of this year.

The iconic Matterhorn Bobsled ride. Disneyland, Anaheim, CA. ©Mike Vega 2013
1950 Tower 120 100asa Kodak Ektar Color film

Soon, the summer heat and crowds will subside and give way to cool nights and sparse attendance. Hot chocolate will replace ice-cream bars and frozen bananas, sunscreen will make way for jackets...

Submarine ride (opened June 1959). Disneyland, Anaheim, CA. ©Mike Vega 2013
1950 Tower 120 100asa Kodak Ektar Color film

If you travel from out of town to visit the Mouse House, as many many people have done for many many years, consider lodging at one of the quaint Motels that sprung up to meet the tourism needs of the park visitors from the earliest days. Themed as to stand out from each other, many stand as remarkably well preserved examples of mid-century kitch.

Covered Wagon Motel. Buena Park, CA.
1950 Tower 120 100asa Kodak Ektar Color film

'till next time...

-Mike

Independence Day 2013

It's already been a pretty hot summer here in Southern California. This July 4th was no exception, but regardless of that, I ventured out with some friends to a local Independence Day parade. The crowd was eager with anticipation and the sun was high.

The City of Redlands held it's annual July 4th parade around Sylvan park.
©Mike Vega 2013
Canon AE-1 28mm f1.8 100asa B/W film.

Veterans, vintage cars, bagpipers, baton twirlers, beer gardens, sno-cones, sunshine, balloons and on and on...

Veterans march the color guard.
©Mike Vega 2013 Canon AE-1 28mm f1.8 100asa B/W film.

While the parade was well attended, participation was a bit on the spare side. But there were several highlights.

Junior cheer squad gets the crowd into the spirit.
©Mike Vega 2013 Canon AE-1 50mm f2.8 100asa B/W film.

'merican parade, 'merican muscle.
©Mike Vega 2013 Canon AE-1 50mm f2.8 100asa B/W film.

"Modern" Square Dancers get twirlin' to Katy Perry...
©Mike Vega 2013 Canon AE-1 50mm f2.8 100asa B/W film.

Square Dancers do-si-do-in' too modern pop music during an Independence Day parade was a lil' surreal.

A full band playing traditional favorites under the parks massive gazebo.
©Mike Vega 2013 Canon AE-1 28mm f1.8 100asa B/W film.

While checking out the scene inside the park, we were lucky enough to catch the raising of the flag by the local Boy Scouts.

The Boy Scouts of American raise Old Glory to the sound of the National Anthem  emanating from the gazebo.
 ©Mike Vega 2013 Canon AE-1 50mm f2.8 100asa B/W film.

Vintage metal decked to the hilt.
©Mike Vega 2013 Canon AE-1 50mm f2.8 100asa B/W film.

©Mike Vega 2013 Canon AE-1 28mm f1.8 100asa B/W film.

An enthusiastic Cub Scouts Pack 16.
©Mike Vega 2013 Canon AE-1 28mm f1.8 100asa B/W film.

Local Supermarket chain Stater Brothers represented with this vintage tractor and trailer.
©Mike Vega 2013 Canon AE-1 28mm f1.8 100asa B/W film.

Solitary park goer taking a reprieve from the festivities.
©Mike Vega 2013 Canon AE-1 50mm f2.8 100asa B/W film.

Until next time.
-Mike

Left overs...

So, a few weeks ago, Monika was rolling some 35mm film. She got to the end of the spool and had a piece of film just a few frames long... Being the thrifty gal that she is, she loaded it into a canister.
Along I came and loaded it into a camera...

Kindles Do-Nuts. Los Angeles, CA. Demi 28mm 100asa b/w film. ©Mike Vega

I may have finally visited all of the "Big Doughnut" stores in the Los Angeles area. This is easily one of the skeeviest. Go there at your own risk...

Ice-Cream Shop. Disneyland, Anaheim, CA. Demi 28mm 100asa b/w film. ©Mike Vega

1971 Volkwagen Beetle. Riverside, CA. Demi 28mm 100asa b/w film. ©Mike Vega

I took a photo of this beetle because it happened to be parked in an alley where I was working. If anyone cares (or dares) to ask, I could probably talk for days on end about VW's, models, motors, accessories...


That's it, short roll, short update.

'till next time.
-Mike

The (Mouse) House of the Rising Sun...

While rummaging around in the film box to see what we had on hand, I came across a roll of Red-Scale 35mm 100asa film. This film is actually wound backwards, as to expose the red layer of emulsion first, which in turn leads to images which have a varying degree of red "tinting" to them. I know there are "apps" that pretend to do this to your images; however, they only offer a generic tinting of the image regardless of exposure, aperture etc. these, are the real deal...

Monika and I were heading out to Disneyland early one morning and I decided to load the Red-Scale into my trusty 65' Canonet.
For fans of the park, and photographers alike Disneyland on an early morning is a treat...

I don't always shoot straight into the sun... Matterhorn behind mad Tea Party. ©Mike Vega 2013

For whatever reason, I tend to "play around" a bit more with film and camera settings when I'm at the park. Perhaps it is because the park offers so many "problems" to solve, be it light, crowds etc...

Just looking at this cart I can practically taste the popcorn... Pre-opening, beside the Petrified Tree. ©Mike Vega 2013

The first run of The Columbia, Disneyland USA. ©Mike Vega 2013

Though it seems to be the smallest of the "lands", Frontierland is actually quite large, encompassing not only the shooting gallery, shops and restaurants, but also the Rivers of America.

Which way to Adventure? All ways! ©Mike Vega 2013

Try your luck... Frontierland, Disneyland USA. ©Mike Vega 2013

My favorite "gate" in the park Adventureland delivers on it's promise. ©Mike Vega 2013

"How do I know that's an African Elephant? Because we're in Africa..." ©Mike Vega 2013

Day or night, a Jungle Cruise is always a good idea. ©Mike Vega 2013

One large issue that the park can present is people, people that you don't know walking in and out of your frame, lines of people waiting to board rides, and people on rides that you are trying to shoot. Sometimes, you can incorporate them into your shot without being invasive.

The Mad Tea Party has been a favorite of mine as long as I can remember. I really think that the hats make this photo. ©Mike Vega 2013

One of the nicest horses in the park. ©Mike Vega 2013

Morning light on It's a Small World? Yes please. ©Mike Vega 2013

Got Grinning Ghosts? ©Mike Vega 2013

The end of the tour will finish up with one of the first images I shot that day... The Red-Scale film really liked the looming rain clouds behind the castle.

Sleeping Beauty's Castle. Disneyland, Anaheim, CA. USA ©Mike Vega 2013

 'till next time.
-Mike

Traveling the town...

Waaaay back in early January, my wife, some good friends, and I went up to Los Angeles to celebrate a one of the friends birthday. The first stop on our outing was the Los Angeles rail museum, Travel Town, in Griffith Park.
Some of us had never been to Travel Town, and those who had, hadn't been there since childhood.

Travel Town main line. ©Mike Vega 2013
1985 Canon AE-1 100asa B/W film

Travel Town is located on the "backside" of Griffith Park. There are locomotives and rail cars from eras long past, reaching back nearly 100 years. Some of these are undergoing restoration, and the "inventory" changes with donations and trading with other railway museums.

Vintage Pullman car. ©Mike Vega 2013
1985 Canon AE-1 100asa B/W film

We wandered the park like grounds for a couple of hours, imagining the era when rail travel was the primary method of long distance travel... Chatting about the experience of traveling by train and its very tactile qualities. The motion, the sounds, the amenities... Sleeping cars, dining cars, observation cars, train stations, bridges...

Inside the belly of the beast... ©Mike Vega 2013
1985 Canon AE-1 100asa B/W film

The size of the trains cannot be easily ignored, the textures of the materials, iron, steel, wood, have all the character of a persons face who has lived life.
It is easy here to let your mind wander into what lives were like, for the rail men, engineers, conductors, and passengers of these times when you are standing in or next to these wonderful time capsules.

Style to spare... ©Mike Vega 2013
1985 Canon AE-1 100asa B/W film

Some of the cars have so much personality, it's almost as if they can talk. Many of the cars have biographies presented, some just have dates of operation. Pullman cars like this likely transported would be stars and starlets west to Los Angeles and Hollywood seeking fame, fortune and stardom. Many likely found ordinary lives or...

Locomotion. ©Mike Vega
1950 Tower 120 200asa film

These machines moved countless numbers of people, tons upon tons of freight and goods and helped to build this country, literally from the ground up. Trains are ingrained in our collective memories as characters from books, and films, as sources of inspiration, gateways to freedom and so much more. 

Thankfully, there are people who love trains and volunteer their time and efforts to keep them alive for future generations to enjoy.

-Mike