Looking for shooting locations southeast/deep south.

fotoobscura · Jan 22, 2017

I'm looking for general and specific "areas" to shoot in the SE in the next month. I've been down to the SE numerous times but know I'm missing some of the smaller and more unique spots. Anyhow, Definitely looking for small-town vibes, country, Appalachia, desolate, poor, small communities, abandonment, etc but not mandatory by any means...Did the length of 61 in MS a few weeks ago which was stunning..

I'll be going through:

Central /South PA > VA > GA (west) > NC > TN > AL > MS > LA.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Sirius Glass · Jan 22, 2017

I found that getting off the main roads and asking people in small towns "Where are the secret places around here to see something special?" not only really pleases the local people that you are interested in their home, but will get you some great advice.

In the northern Virginia area Berryville to Millford area as an old church and graveyard dating back to Lord Fairfax, other old churches, and the especially the mill in Millford which has hallucinogenic drawings [from the fermenting rye] near the fireplace. Northeast of there is a small town of Waterford worth visiting. There is a booklet telling the history and significance of almost every house and building in Waterford that is free at the Herndon railway station visitor center. Dead Link Removed

fotoobscura · Jan 22, 2017

Good idea. Never tried that method.

I actually know NW VA really well including that whole around west on 7 and rte 9 to harper's ferry...I used to go to Waterford when I was shooting Trichromy in the late 90's...but def been to the mill (the one off route 7 near centreville right?).....There use to be a burned out mill on rte 66 past Manassas- not sure if it's still there.

Thanks

Sirius Glass said:
I found that getting off the main roads and asking people in small towns "Where are the secret places around here to see something special?" not only really pleases the local people that you are interested in their home, but will get you some great advice.

In the northern Virginia area Berryville to Millford area as an old church and graveyard dating back to Lord Fairfax, other old churches, and the especially the mill in Millford which has hallucinogenic drawings [from the fermenting rye] near the fireplace. Northeast of there is a small town of Waterford worth visiting. There is a booklet telling the history and significance of almost every house and building in Waterford that is free at the Herndon railway station visitor center. Dead Link Removed

bain · Jan 22, 2017

Boone to Asheville NC, take the Blueridge Parkway

Arklatexian · Jan 22, 2017

Sirius Glass said:
I found that getting off the main roads and asking people in small towns "Where are the secret places around here to see something special?" not only really pleases the local people that you are interested in their home, but will get you some great advice.

In the northern Virginia area Berryville to Millford area as an old church and graveyard dating back to Lord Fairfax, other old churches, and the especially the mill in Millford which has hallucinogenic drawings [from the fermenting rye] near the fireplace. Northeast of there is a small town of Waterford worth visiting. There is a booklet telling the history and significance of almost every house and building in Waterford that is free at the Herndon railway station visitor center. Dead Link Removed

Sirius Glass, your above approach works, I think, whatever small town you travel to, even in small towns in California. I remember visiting my wife's hometown in northern Bavaria where I shot slides in most parts of town. When I got slides back from Agfa, I borrowed a projector and screen and showed the results to the family. My wife's father made an observation which she translated for me. He said:"it takes someone from somewhere else to show us just how pretty our home town really is. I think these feelings are truly universal.....Regards!

Sirius Glass · Jan 22, 2017

Sirius Glass said:
I found that getting off the main roads and asking people in small towns "Where are the secret places around here to see something special?" not only really pleases the local people that you are interested in their home, but will get you some great advice.

fotoobscura said:
Good idea. Never tried that method.

oldtimermetoo said:
Sirius Glass, your above approach works, I think, whatever small town you travel to, even in small towns in California. I remember visiting my wife's hometown in northern Bavaria where I shot slides in most parts of town. When I got slides back from Agfa, I borrowed a projector and screen and showed the results to the family. My wife's father made an observation which she translated for me. He said:"it takes someone from somewhere else to show us just how pretty our home town really is. I think these feelings are truly universal.....Regards!

That is how I learned about the Burwell-Morgan Mill circa 1782. http://www.burwellmorganmill.org/friends-of-the-mill/2-uncategorised.html

jamesaz · Jan 23, 2017

I grew up back there and recently returned for my H.S. reunion (50th). I'd been to Atlanta a few times to visit my daughter who lives there but just stayed in town. One of the things that struck me was how close together all the towns are. I suppose that's from being settled so long before the automobile but, I digress. Natchez trace from near Nashville to near Natchez. Pre Colombian mounds in the delta and all along the river. Every town square has a confederate monument, at least in Mississippi. Probably Alabama too, though I can't say for sure. Shrimping along the gulf, there's a big shipyard in Pascagoula, or used to be, and, of course, New Orleans. Some of the courthouses are interesting, architecturally. Kudzu landscapes. Hope you have good weather, it can be gloomy and muddy in the spring.

JPJackson · Jan 23, 2017

bain said:
Boone to Asheville NC, take the Blueridge Parkway

If you are near Boone I could show you some places. Our place is about 15 miles north in Johnson County TN.

Best,
J

removed account4 · Jan 23, 2017

here's a list of sites and structures the federal governement has catalogued
in the library of congress http://www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/hh/index/places/
you can go the local historic preservation office / town planning office / city hall
and ask where thngs are or just meander and get lost, which is always an option.
sometimes it is best to have a guide, someone local to bring you to places, that way
you won't look or seem so out of place and if there is a problem they can run interference for you.
usually a cup of coffee at a local watering hole and chit chat with the locals will open opportunities.
good luck!

fotoobscura · Jan 23, 2017

Done this a few times but not the entire length. I considered doing it a month but alas most of the BRP is closed during the Winter. I got lucky one day and there was a small stretch open for about 20 miles before it was shutdown.
Thanks

bain said:
Boone to Asheville NC, take the Blueridge Parkway

fotoobscura · Jan 23, 2017

Thanks for the offer. I was actually in Boone (twice) a few weeks ago. But I plan on going back through there to visit one of my favorite breweries and one of my favorite breakfast spots (Melanie's).

JPJackson said:
If you are near Boone I could show you some places. Our place is about 15 miles north in Johnson County TN.

Best,
J

fotoobscura · Jan 23, 2017

Definitely get a lot of 411 from talking to locals @ Cafe's and Breweries! (because they're almost everywhere now!).
Thanks

jnanian said:
here's a list of sites and structures the federal governement has catalogued
in the library of congress http://www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/hh/index/places/
you can go the local historic preservation office / town planning office / city hall
and ask where thngs are or just meander and get lost, which is always an option.
sometimes it is best to have a guide, someone local to bring you to places, that way
you won't look or seem so out of place and if there is a problem they can run interference for you.
usually a cup of coffee at a local watering hole and chit chat with the locals will open opportunities.
good luck!

Wallendo · Jan 24, 2017

I find the best way to see the kinds of images you seek is to stick to the highways that were bypassed by the interstates. Some of the most abandoned scenery you'll see is on the old roads that were replaced by I-95. Entire community economies were based on tourist traffic of people going from the northeast down to Florida. Unfortunately, the places I am most familiar with are in southern South Carolina (US 301, SC 61 for example), so I can't give you specific locations, although I suspect you will find similar locations in eastern Virginia and eastern North Carolina. US 17 is generally close to the coast most of the way and hence better developed and likely want have the character you seek.

fotoobscura · Jan 24, 2017

Right. What roads in your area in SC are lightly traveled and go through small towns? Do you have in in mind? The goal as you've inferred is to stay far away big cities, traffic, interstates, etc...I've noted route 17 and will check it out...I haven't spent much time East of I-95 except during Hurricane season...

Wallendo said:
I find the best way to see the kinds of images you seek is to stick to the highways that were bypassed by the interstates. Some of the most abandoned scenery you'll see is on the old roads that were replaced by I-95. Entire community economies were based on tourist traffic of people going from the northeast down to Florida. Unfortunately, the places I am most familiar with are in southern South Carolina (US 301, SC 61 for example), so I can't give you specific locations, although I suspect you will find similar locations in eastern Virginia and eastern North Carolina. US 17 is generally close to the coast most of the way and hence better developed and likely want have the character you seek.

Sirius Glass · Jan 24, 2017

Wallendo said:
I find the best way to see the kinds of images you seek is to stick to the highways that were bypassed by the interstates. ...

But I can attest to wasting a lot of time and gas doing that and finding nothing. Ask the locals.

Wallendo · Jan 24, 2017

fotoobscura said:
Right. What roads in your area in SC are lightly traveled and go through small towns? Do you have in in mind? The goal as you've inferred is to stay far away big cities, traffic, interstates, etc...I've noted route 17 and will check it out...I haven't spent much time East of I-95 except during Hurricane season...

I used to travel a lot on business on SC 61 from Walterboro to Barnwell, I would go through a lot of small towns with only one stop light among the lot of them. US 78 from St George towards Aiken also fits the bill. US 321 southward from Columbia may be of interest. You're generally better off staying west of I-95. These areas are fairly poor, and the tourism agencies will never send you there, but I have always found haunting beauty among old abandoned buildings, shops, service stations, and the like. Especially when shot with grainy black and white film. Unfortunately, these towns are often so small there are no brew-pubs or other hangouts.

If travelling through western North Carolina, look into going to Saluda and then taking US 176 south into South Carolina going through the towns of Tryon NC and Landrum SC (all three are photogenic and have good food and cold beer and abandoned railways). From there, you could take SC 11 (Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway) to Georgia, which would apparently get you back on your initially described course.

Sirius Glass · Jan 24, 2017

Heck I went through towns that were so small the extreme town limit signs were on the same post. The elevation was greater than the population.

fotoobscura · Jan 25, 2017

And these towns were?

Sirius Glass said:
Heck I went through towns that were so small the extreme town limit signs were on the same post. The elevation was greater than the population.

fotoobscura · Jan 25, 2017

Thanks a lot for this. I've marked my maps and will research later. Abandoned railways sound great.

Wallendo said:
I used to travel a lot on business on SC 61 from Walterboro to Barnwell, I would go through a lot of small towns with only one stop light among the lot of them. US 78 from St George towards Aiken also fits the bill. US 321 southward from Columbia may be of interest. You're generally better off staying west of I-95. These areas are fairly poor, and the tourism agencies will never send you there, but I have always found haunting beauty among old abandoned buildings, shops, service stations, and the like. Especially when shot with grainy black and white film. Unfortunately, these towns are often so small there are no brew-pubs or other hangouts.

If travelling through western North Carolina, look into going to Saluda and then taking US 176 south into South Carolina going through the towns of Tryon NC and Landrum SC (all three are photogenic and have good food and cold beer and abandoned railways). From there, you could take SC 11 (Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway) to Georgia, which would apparently get you back on your initially described course.

Sirius Glass · Jan 25, 2017

fotoobscura said:
And these towns were?

Real small

fotoobscura · Jan 26, 2017

Thanks! Will check out!

jnanian said:
here's a list of sites and structures the federal governement has catalogued
in the library of congress http://www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/hh/index/places/
you can go the local historic preservation office / town planning office / city hall
and ask where thngs are or just meander and get lost, which is always an option.
sometimes it is best to have a guide, someone local to bring you to places, that way
you won't look or seem so out of place and if there is a problem they can run interference for you.
usually a cup of coffee at a local watering hole and chit chat with the locals will open opportunities.
good luck!

Looking for shooting locations southeast/deep south.

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