Thursday, March 24, 2011

Throwback Thursday - Of Things Past

Abandoned Coal Factory, near Sandusky, Ohio  © Doug Hickok


This deteriorating coal factory, long abandoned, symbolizes the Midwest's Rust Belt, a once thriving industrial region that now belongs to an era gone by. It's also appropriate that I made this image, back in 1986, on Kodachrome 25 slide film, another symbolic relic from the past. Kodak recent ended its brand of the once popular film, which began production in 1935, the same year that American's were "swinging" to the boogie of Benny Goodman, driving Studebakers, and paying 10 cents a gallon for gas.



at

35 comments:

  1. Cezar and LéiaMarch 24, 2011 at 6:34 AM

    It's a pity, a coal factory abandoned there.I'm curious about Benny Goodman, I will search at youtube, and thanks for this beautiful shot, I like the stair and those doors, the curve line and the bricked wall.
    Léia

    ReplyDelete
  2. noelMarch 24, 2011 at 6:35 AM

    nice capture of this place and the colours are very interesting it s a mix up between old fashionned and modern style

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousMarch 24, 2011 at 6:53 AM

    Very interesting building, good photo!

    ReplyDelete
  4. LauretteMarch 24, 2011 at 7:01 AM

    A lovely capture of this old coal factory with great colours.Love the bricked wall. Well photographed.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Marie LCMarch 24, 2011 at 7:30 AM

    J'aime beaucoup les couleurs de cet immeuble auquel il ne manquerait pas grand chose pour une réhabilitation en appartements.

    ReplyDelete
  6. WernerMarch 24, 2011 at 7:37 AM

    You have a great eye for spotting composition.

    ReplyDelete
  7. brattcatMarch 24, 2011 at 7:47 AM

    This shot is so evocative. I can almost feel the weariness of climbing those stairs each day.

    ReplyDelete
  8. LúciaMarch 24, 2011 at 8:22 AM

    It's so cool to see photos from different places like this one!
    And it's also nice to see a photo in slide, I can't remember when was the last time I saw one of this. :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. ChelseaMarch 24, 2011 at 9:10 AM

    i think alll coal factories (and strip mines) should be abandoned! this picture is fantastic and i love the idea of "throwback thursday" keep on keepin' on papa!!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. LouisMarch 24, 2011 at 9:43 AM

    So they tell us. The USA moved from a manufacturing economy to a sales economy. It always results in interesting economic postulates. BUt I will tell you what - it leaves one with excellent photographic opportunities :-)

    ReplyDelete
  11. donMarch 24, 2011 at 11:41 AM

    I like the angles and the blue color in this strong image. A fine composition. I like how well the Kodachrome did!

    ReplyDelete
  12. theaMarch 24, 2011 at 12:45 PM

    Wonderful textures and details in this shot!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hilda R.BMarch 24, 2011 at 1:10 PM

    This was cool. Wonderful, and nice composition.

    ReplyDelete
  14. AstridMarch 24, 2011 at 1:17 PM

    Wonderful, amazing colours.
    I went through your archive again and it is pure delight, Poland and Rome too, when were you there??

    ReplyDelete
  15. cieldequimperMarch 24, 2011 at 1:50 PM

    Our past gives foundations for the future or so I like to think. I wonder if it'll always be true. Love this industrial shot with the old ad.

    ReplyDelete
  16. OKMarch 24, 2011 at 3:07 PM

    good ole Kodachrome. really nice composition, quite pleasing.

    ReplyDelete
  17. L'explorateurMarch 24, 2011 at 3:56 PM

    Hi Doug! Such a cool shot! I love digging into the past. Into history. "Good coal", red bricks: definitely a glace at the past! Your caption to the image is so snappy and funny! I wish you a great day.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Andrey SamolinovMarch 24, 2011 at 4:14 PM

    Interesting photo
    Excellent color and texture - well done

    ReplyDelete
  19. yzMarch 24, 2011 at 4:46 PM

    love the colors and the diagonal composition

    ReplyDelete
  20. London CallerMarch 24, 2011 at 4:49 PM

    At first glance this flight of stairs looks like a trompe l'oeil!
    You got me this time! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  21. HarryMarch 24, 2011 at 4:52 PM

    This is a great industrial decay shot. Has the film deteriorated to the cool blue tone or is that an artifact you added?

    ReplyDelete
  22. FriedaMarch 24, 2011 at 4:57 PM

    What a wonderful composition, I like the colours and structures very much (and the fact that it was taken on a film!)

    ReplyDelete
  23. franzMarch 24, 2011 at 5:09 PM

    gone are the days ... instead we have a very captivating image that preserves the remains of this era! a stunning and poignant reminder, doug! love the structures and colours in this photo! sad as it may be, but "ruins" and "neglect" are often very photogenic indeed!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Michael ValčićMarch 24, 2011 at 8:06 PM

    I love the tones here. It really sets the mood for this shot. Very nice!

    ReplyDelete
  25. T. BecqueMarch 25, 2011 at 1:02 AM

    Fabulous shot! Nice composition, the colors are great, and interesting subject.

    ReplyDelete
  26. KalaMarch 25, 2011 at 1:28 AM

    The composition and colors are terrific. Glad you took this shot back then.

    ReplyDelete
  27. saverio otrantoMarch 25, 2011 at 1:44 AM

    ancora un bel gioco fra linee rette ed oblique. ottimo

    ReplyDelete
  28. PeterMarch 25, 2011 at 2:01 AM

    Fantastic composition Doug....thanks for the mention out the Rust Belt...and what has been lost in the Midwest.... fantastic capture with your old Kodacrome film....also the end of another great era....great scan....well done Sir....peter:)

    ReplyDelete
  29. GinnieMarch 25, 2011 at 3:05 AM

    OMG, Doug. Those were the days!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Eyeliquor 2March 25, 2011 at 4:02 AM

    Just beautiful!!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Martina EgliMarch 25, 2011 at 2:52 PM

    I love the textures and tones in this image a lot! And having it taken on film makes it even more special.

    ReplyDelete
  32. UnknownMarch 26, 2011 at 1:01 PM

    Great, strong diagonal--love the kodachrome! It seems every day you read about another film/film processing product ending production. Makes me sad.

    ReplyDelete
  33. john4jackMarch 27, 2011 at 1:36 PM

    excellent. wonderful lines and textures

    ReplyDelete
  34. georgeMarch 28, 2011 at 5:02 PM

    Those were the days, it just shows how Kodachrome produced such wonderful colours..a mellow and creative delight.

    It leaves me wondering what Paul Simon would have called his song now? "21.5 Megapixels" just doesn't sound right - not to mention the rhyming difficulties!!!

    ReplyDelete
  35. píxeles y neuronasOctober 6, 2011 at 10:05 AM

    Wonderful composition.
    Agustín.

    ReplyDelete