In the Field: Photo Blog by Richard Wong

Photography field reports by Richard Wong. Richard’s work has been published in magazines, books, advertising, and offers fine art prints of his work. Images may be licensed as rights-managed stock photos by contacting Richard directly at Richard@rwongphoto.com or (626) 422-6151. California stock photography, fine art prints, photo blog: www.rwongphoto.com

Foreclosure of a Dream

Posted on | December 16, 2009 | 7 Comments

Roy's Motel Sign from Abandoned Motel Room Window, Amboy, California

Roy's Motel Sign from Abandoned Motel Room Window, Amboy, California

I’m sure that almost all of us know someone that has been severely affected by the current economic situation. People my parents’ age (50+) in particular probably saw their dreams vanish before their eyes along with the Dow Jones. I can’t imagine what it would be like to have this 30 year plan laid out and within grasp only to have the carpet pulled out from you. You go to work, spending a disproportionate amount of your adult life at a thankless job with the goal saving enough to put the kids through school and retire while you are still healthy enough to enjoy life.

Maybe it really was a dream. I’m sure a lot of people start to re-evaluate their life in times like these. Pondering perhaps what is the purpose of killing yourself for the sake of economic “prosperity”. After all, studies suggest that people are more depressed than ever, teens are crazier than the previous generation, the environment is going down the tubes, etc…

So while walking around Roy’s Motel, I was looking for a photo that would tell the story of a once seemingly prosperous place that had fallen from grace. I went from room to room looking for a broken window that I could use the frame the Roy’s Motel sign outside. The one shattered window I found wasn’t in a position where I could line it up with the sign so I ended up with a very different picture. One that hints at a more optimistic future for something that was once prosperous, fallen from grace, eventually to find redemption once the storm passed.

Though Route 66 isn’t the same as it once was, it is now a nostalgia trip. Through all in all, Route 66’s past is remembered in a positive light now. I think the story here is that everything will be okay. Just slow down enough to embrace the present. Appreciate the what and the who in our lives. There are good stories all around us. You just have to keep your eyes, ears, and heart open to whatever it is that comes into your life. We all have a story. How you write it is up to you.

See more of my Mojave Desert photos.

Category: Mojave Desert
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Comments

7 Responses to “Foreclosure of a Dream”

  1. Ron Niebrugge
    December 16th, 2009 @ 11:09 am

    Cool image and great post Richard!

  2. Aswirly
    December 16th, 2009 @ 5:21 pm

    Powerful image and post.

  3. Richard
    December 16th, 2009 @ 7:28 pm

    Thanks Ron and Amber.

  4. Sean Scanlon
    December 17th, 2009 @ 12:41 am

    I’ve enjoyed these images from Roy’s and Amboy, definitely a place I need to visit. Thanks for the fabulous images.

  5. Richard Wong
    December 17th, 2009 @ 1:16 am

    Thanks for the kind words, Sean. I see that you are from So Cal also. It would make a nice day trip for you.

  6. Leann Greene
    December 19th, 2009 @ 12:41 pm

    Way to work it out – very effective conveying abandonment even with the windows intact. The framing is fantastic.

  7. Richard
    December 19th, 2009 @ 1:19 pm

    Thanks Leann.

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