Posted on by Anne Sandler · 2 Comments

Staying the same and changing: Crockett and Mare Island

It may be a challenge, but it puts your photography to a test–revisiting places you’ve already shot. I go back with the idea that I’m going to find a new way of shooting, find new things to shoot and just enjoy it.

That’s the approach I took when Marlene and I went to Crockett and Mare Island. She had never been to Crockett and had been to Mare Island a long time ago. Crockett was the same: old, and sometimes dreary and quaint. Can a town be both? This one can. Its claim to fame is the C & H Sugar plant, and just like before, we were chased away. They do not like their property photographed.

We drove around, had lunch and found Port Costa (described in my previous post). From there we drove on to Mare Island, which was in the midst of change. Chain link fencing was around many buildings, the front street at the shore was closed to traffic, most of the large cranes were gone and we were left with little to shoot. They are fixing up the Island and getting ready to lease out buildings. So, I made lemonade by shooting various locks I found and some buildings.

It was a full-day shoot, and I enjoyed it. Especially the challenge of finding a new slant to a place I’ve already photographed.

You may remember this plant from my post last year. I just had to do it again!
This is a park across from the C & H plant.
I liked the way the sun was hitting the top of this picnic enclosure.
A lamp post in the park.
I wasn’t able to capture this beautiful home the last time. We also met the owner who talked with us at length about the house and how it had changed from its original state. They have plans to restore it as time and money permits.
This is a side view of the Odd Fellows Hall.
The bridge and boat were totally encased in fog/haze. Lightroom’s dehaze did a pretty good job of removing most of it.
One of the few old buildings left on Mare Island worth shooting.
The window from that building.
The one crane left.
I just liked the lines of these buildings.
Here come the locks! #1
#2
#3
#4
I truly don’t know what this was attached to. I just liked the aging and color.
Posted on by Anne Sandler

Still shooting in dismal skies: Crockett, California, final chapter

Right now, I am totally enjoying the sun streaming through my office window. Its warm glow feeds my body and soul. But, remember, we are still in Crockett under fog and clouds. Today, I will show you what two photographers do when they are waiting for their food, and an old truck we stumbled upon.

So, just what do photographers–amateurs–do when lunch is going to be a long time coming? We take out our point and shoot cameras and wander the restaurant. Actually, this was a quaint deli where your could get sandwiches, and it was well worth the wait. I could only eat half my sandwich and enjoyed the rest later in the afternoon. On our way out of Crockett, I saw an old truck on the side of the road in a residential area. I love it when I’m out with a photo buddy and we can just stop and take pictures whenever we want. This truck was a photographer’s dream–old and in rough condition.

Have fun with the images as we say so long, for now, to dreary skies and say hello, for about a week, to the sun.

Posted on by Anne Sandler

Still shooting in dismal skies: Crockett, California, part 2

Yes, the sun is out! It’s Christmas Day and Gem (our dog) and I totally enjoyed our sunny, but windy, walk. But, as far as this blog is concerned, we are still in the overcast, foggy skies of Crockett.

I need to go back and thoroughly investigate this charming town. It’s not a tourist area, or maybe we didn’t stumble upon any boutique shops, etc. What we saw was real–architecture and people. Today I’m going to show you what buildings and shoreline we stumbled upon. This is going to be a three part Crockett show piece. When I do go back, I hope to catch the Carquinez Bridge at night.

Here are more images of Crockett.

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 2 Comments

Still shooting in dismal skies: Crockett, California

Today, Tuesday, the sun came out, but I was in Crockett on Saturday! You see, with the drought, we, in California, are not used to two weeks of clouds, rain and generally overcast skies. It was no surprise that when my photo buddy, Laura, and I went to Crockett it was overcast. The bonus, however, was the fog. That added some drama to our images and made some monochrome shots available.

Located in Contra Costa County, Crockett is a small town and and seemingly timeless, This town is a photographer’s play land. It is old, looking like time has let it stand still with many boarded up buildings.Old Victorian homes dot the landscape, and the view of the Carquinez Bridge is wonderful. Too bad the bridge was fogged in! Crockett’s main attraction for us was the C & H Sugar Refinery which is nearly 100 years old.

In today’s post, I’ll show you the C & H Refinery, which we were not allowed to enter and surrounding area.