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More of Matt Granz's Photos
Submitted to Defying Physics
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Q: Turned Photos
A: Do you know?
Photo license: © All rights reserved
This shot has been taken by so many people… but there is a story to this particular shot.
My wife wanted to drive Route 66 today, and so did I. I knew this spot was going to appear somewhere along the way, and that added to my wanting to travel that road.
We passed by many old towns decorated in the old 50's Deco Style, but long since abandoned and left to decay. I could almost see the places as they once were when they were hopping busy and were destination points.
After passing one particularly cool old broken down town, we wound up on a piece of road that dead ended. We headed back the way we came and wound up going under the main highway and on a road on the other side that we figured we'd stay on until we found a freeway onramp… well the onramp came up suddenly and we passed it by, by accident. We decided, oh well, it's okay, we'll take the next one… then this place suddenly appeared. We would have passed it by without noticing if we had gotten onto the freeway.
The thing I didn't expect when I got out of our car, was the hordes of people, like ants on a piece of discarded candy… many of whom brought spray paint cans with them.
I found it difficult to shoot any pictures where no people were present. There are people hidden behind the cars in this shot. Maybe 20 or so…
I went back tonight to try my hand at getting a night shot, but chickened out. There was too much ambient light from the not too distant city anyways.
I'll keep telling myself that…
29 responses
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William Tracy added a link (30 Jul 2010):
Good job going peopleless. Make sure to read Lon's amazing story too!! (jpgmag.com)
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Kristee McClenan said (30 Jul 2010):
Fantastic shot! Interesting thing just a few years ago they painted the cars pure white. Even though this sight practically sits in my backyard its repainting is a reminder that the things we leave behind us, although covered by modern life, are never washed away. The paint never runs at the Ranch. Vivid colors and a fresh string of visitors add layers upon layers of artwork daily, yet the colors never run. They simply blend together, form new shades and speak for the hearts that have left them there. Perhaps we could all learn a lesson from these ol' timers ??! Thanks for capturing such a great shot!
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Susan Littlefield gave props (30 Jul 2010):
You did an amazing job with this capture.....I would never have known there was anyone one else there! Too bad about your night shot, but I can see why you wouldn't go back!
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Lon Casler Bixby gave props (30 Jul 2010):
Very niiice shot... LOVE the clouds :o)
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Shirley Valencia said (31 Jul 2010):
What a great story. Many times a wrong turn will turn out to be a great mistake.The photo would have been equally as good with people in it. The curiosity of people fascinate me. their faces in a photo tell us so much.
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B Keith said (5 Aug 2010):
Great story. I have been here myself. I actually painted my (now wife) intials along with mine in a heart. When we got married we used that photo on the back of our program for the wedding. You can see the photo on my JPG site. Oh, LOVE THIS! Great Color!
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LeAnne Williams gave props (7 Aug 2010):
The exact thing happened to me! It was on my "list" on my Route 66 Adventure but a wrong turn is what got me here!
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Thomas Bertin said (21 Aug 2010):
Something I have always wanted to see! Great shot!
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Chris Whitney said (23 Aug 2010):
I am intrigued by this place but never visited it in person. You got a great shot, colors and clouds revealing. I like the personal story too.
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Ali gave props (22 Sep 2010):
Voted!
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dp * gave props (25 Sep 2010):
RAD yeah !
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Kevin Kott gave props (26 Sep 2010):
My vote!!!
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Cari Everhart gave props (26 Sep 2010):
Now I wish you had more images to vote on, my vote again, and great story!
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Roxana Brivent-Barnes said (5 Oct 2010):
The clouds are overpowering in this shot, V!
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Regenia Brabham gave props (8 Oct 2010):
Great shot!! Great entry! My vote!
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Saroj Swain gave props (26 Oct 2010):
Voted.. Matt!!!
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Traci Cottingham gave props (30 Oct 2010):
love it
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Jean Pierre Vacherot (Deleted) gave props (15 Nov 2010):
Great entry, voted
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Daniel Diaz gave props (17 Dec 2010):
amazing, voted!
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Steven Maguire gave props (29 Dec 2010):
Beautiful shot!!!!
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Winky Vivas (Deleted) said (5 Jan 2011):
A fantastic shot and theme entry! A wonderful narrative too. Got my Vote!
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Iztok Urh gave props (23 Jan 2011):
My vote!
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Tridibesh Sanyal said (27 Jan 2011):
voted.
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Lisa Toleno (Deleted) gave props (11 Jun 2011):
cool capture ! nice shot
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Tara Lynn said (29 Mar 2012):
I think I was here when I was a small child (4 years old?) and my family was driving that route. I saw this photo and I was like wow that looks oddly familiar! Great capture. :)
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David Jeffries gave props (3 May 2012):
Good old Amarillo, Texas. Grew up close to here and have watched multiple transformations of the Cadillac ranch. Nice capture
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Kelly Nichols gave props (7 Aug 2012):
Fantastic shot. Good job "hiding" the people. For years I have wanted to travel Route 66. It's on my "Bucket List". Perhaps some day....
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Kelly Nichols gave props (7 Aug 2012):
...in the meantime, it's nice to have people like you to give me a visual tour.
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Laura Myers gave props (15 Nov 2012):
I love this shot! Haven't heard of it until now though, so I may have to do some Googling now...
