California

All Images © 2010 Declan J. Dillon
Please do not use/reproduce without my explicit, written permission.

I'm back home for a week, so I figured I'd revisit a few of my favorite places. Sadly, I came to discover that one of my all-time favorite locations, a hidden junkyard in the Santa Cruz Mountains, had been cleaned out, the property put up for sale. Although I am disappointed, I am glad that I went up there in the first place, choosing not to relegate it to my "I'll come back to it" list. Far too many opportunities are squandered with the "I'll come back to it" mentality. The chance to capture a phenomenal shot occurs only once. One must be there to capture it at the right time, even if it means disregarding other commitments. I cannot even begin to recall the number times that I blew off rowing practice in order to take pictures. Although some did not and still do not approve of this, I prefer to weigh the benefits against the detriments. After all, it's been nearly three years since I last set an oar in the water, but only three minutes since I last tweaked my camera (and yes, when I get a Leica, I WILL sleep with it). I think back to of all the potentially amazing shots I have missed because I told myself "I'll come back to it." Certain things are worth sacrificing for. The difficult part is deciding where to draw the line.

Junkyards and Yard Cars

Old Dodge and abandoned houses, Marysville, MT.

Unkown Kit Car, next to someone's trailer, York, MT.

1939 Chevy, junkyard, Four Corners, MT.

Methlab-tastic Dodge Commander RV, someone's yard, Saratoga, CA.

All Images © 2010 Declan J. Dillon.
Please do not use/reproduce without my explicit, written permission.

The word junkyard is a misnomer, because junkyards are not actually full of junk. They are full of photographic gold: beautiful patinas, artifacts from past existences, juxtapositions, contrast of purpose. Montana's junkyards are the best I've ever stumbled through. However, your average yards in Montana are more than sufficient; it would appear that nearly all of them, especially the rural ones, contain some sort of long-dead vehicle or piece of farm equipment. I don't believe anyone has ever sold a car here. Whenever one ceases to function (by virtue of severe mechanical failure or severe cash-flow failure) it would appear that it is parked on some unused corner of the property. By no means is this a crack at Montanans, or anyone else with yard cars. I love them. Please, by all means, continue to park worn out, old machinery in your yards, and continue to provide me with things to photograph.