Road Trip Photography - USA

Photography and the Great American Road Trip

Road Trip Photo Book

It’s a good thing most people only think of Las Vegas when Nevada gets brought up. Otherwise it gets thrown into the “fly over state” category. Staying that way would be just fine. The hoards can go elsewhere and leave the untamed beauty to the rest of us that truly appreciate it. Of the states many redeeming qualities, under populated ranks very high on the list. I’d argue it has everything, but that’s an obvious bias. The biggest draw is almost endless open roads, which is why it fits so nicely for my Roadside Meditations series. One of those places that really allows your mind to wander. Beyond that, it’s got sage brush, deserts, mountains, snowboarding, fly fishing, and cattle ranches. What more does a guy need? All joking aside, Nevada is a really special place. Another one that took me a while to understand or appreciate, but now the hooks are firmly planted. Desert mornings and evenings offer a vibe you can’t find elsewhere. It’s something about the light mixed with the color palette and textures of the landscape. I’ve spent many a night sleeping in my truck in Nevada, waking up to sunrises that rival any in the country.

Click here to pick up a copy of Roadside Meditations

Contact me directly about American road trip photography prints for your home, office, or commercial space - rob@robhammerphotography.com

Goodsprings, Nevada - Road Trip Photography

Goodsprings, Nevada - American Road Trip

Jean, Nevada - Road Trip Photography

Hawthorne, Nevada - American Road Trip Photography

Sandy Valley, Nevada - Travel Photography - America

Sandy Valley, Nevada - Road Trip Photo Book

Walker Lake, Nevada - American Photography

American Road Trip Photography

Carson Valley, Nevada - American Photography

California Desert Road Trip

Road Trip Photography - America - Travel - California Desert

It’s interesting how certain places can grow on you that at first didn’t seem so appealing. And light seems to be one of the biggest determining factors of that in my opinion. It doesn’t have be traditionally beautiful light either. It just has to be interesting light. Or, maybe light that you understand how to work with? That knowledge is part of growing as a photographer. Most people focus so much on that “perfect” light that occurs during a sunrise or sunset, but beautiful images can be made at all times of day if you know how to work under different conditions. Even midday sun can transform a scene from completely forgettable to “I can’t wait to come back here”.

Click here to shop the Roadside Meditations book

Contact me directly about prints of my American road trip photography for your home, office, or commercial space - rob@robhammerphotography

American road trip photography

California desert - Mojave, CA

Mojave Desert

Windfarm in Mojave, California

California desert near Lone Pina

Mojave, CA

Road Trip Photography

A train going through the desert town of Mojave, CA

McKittrick Oil Field

A lot of people are under the impression that California is all sunny beaches, when really a great deal of it is made up of farms, desert, and desolate land like you see here at the McKittrick Oil Fields. To be honest, I had no idea that they even existed until stumbling on them a few weeks ago during a trip up to San Francisco for a commercial shoot. These images go into the “reaction” category, as this certainly wasn’t something I set out to photograph. Most of the images from my “America” series are that way. Although over time it’s become obvious that a factor which often attracts me is disruptions. This scene is a textbook example. The way these oil fields and all the equipment disrupt an otherwise natural and beautiful scene is shocking. It’s also a shame. Lot of money to made there though, so it’s not going to stop. Beyond the obvious things in the images though, scenes like this always make me curious about the lives of the people who work and live here.

To see more disruptions from my American series click here

McKittrick Oil Field

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McKittrick Oil Field

American Road

Despite the pandemic I’ve still been able to spend a solid amount of time on the road over this past year. Especially since August, making several trips out to Colorado, then the last one out to Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming. Very grateful for that. During the meat of the lockdown cabin fever definitely became a thing, at which point I realized it was the longest stretch of time I had spent in San Diego since moving here back in whatever year that was. 2008-ish? That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but there also isn’t a ton here to scratch my many itches. If anything it reaffirmed how much I value time on the road. It’s really special being out there. Last November I made this image outside of Moab, Utah. A place I’d highly recommend to anyone who has never been and wants to feel like you’re on another planet. Like almost every halfway decent image of mine, it took walking away for a while to realize what it was. Once it really sunk in though I became very proud of it. 6 months ago I wouldn’t have had the eye or ability to create an image like this. It tells me that I’m not only advancing as a photographer, but also that my style is changing a bit. Without a doubt my best fine art photograph of 2020.

Click here to see more of my America series.

Moab, Utah

American Photography

American Photography

Colorado - Utah

Whenever possible I make it a point to take new routes even when the destination might be a place (like Denver) I’ve been a hundred times. That way it’s easier to be inspired by new sights. Occasionally though, when you don’t have a ton of extra time, you find yourself on a familiar highway just motoring from A to B. At this point I’d be confident in my ability to drive from San Diego to Denver with a blindfold on. Still though, it’s a world class stretch of road that should never be taken for granted. Keeping this in mind, I returned to places along the way that I’ve photographed before, while remaining open to things that might have been missed before. Happy with the outcome.

Click here to see more from the AMERICA series.

Stormy weather makes for an interesting scene in Grand Junction, Colorado.

Street scene in Grand Junction, Colorado.

A desolate street scene in rural Utah.

Green River, Utah.

Frank’s Pizza - Green River, Utah.

Abandoned hotel - Green River, Utah.

An old church in Green River, Utah.

A dirt road going through a desolate desert section of Utah.

A dirt road leading to a railroad crossing in rural Utah.

Utah

I've got so much content to post, and trying desperately to catch up on it. I keep cruising over these images, and thought I'd get them out of the way. Gotta love Utah. The more I road trip, the more it seems like there are states that want to give you good stuff. And others that really make you earn it. Utah is one that seems very giving to me. Not sure if I get lucky or what, but I always seem to come out of there happy. This day didn't see a lot of shooting because I was in kind of a rush driving back from Colorado with Emily who had to work. Still though, the few times the camera came out, it was a success. I love this type of shooting. 

Road Trip

One of my favorite forms of travel is the road trip. It's the best way to see what ever part of the world you are in. And the only way to really experience local cultures/foods that you would otherwise miss by flying. Next week I will be starting a cross country road trip back to New York to be with family for the holidays. It's something I've done many times and always look forward to. As of this post, I have road tripped through all 50 states (flew to AK+HI) for my Barbershop project. And this time around will be working on my most recent project, Basketball Hoops. Being on the road with other people is always fun. For these however, it's just me and Mojo (dog). Which I prefer, because it allows me a lot more time on my own to shoot, without worrying about inconveniencing anyone else. It's something I really encourage every photographer to do on a somewhat regular basis.

This image is from a road trip last September to Colorado. We stopped to "use the bathroom" and our car happened to be in the perfect spot with perfect light. Love Arizona. Anyway, I'll be regularly posting to this site during my trip, so be sure to check back. 

TRAVEL.MORE.

Rob Hammer