One of my favorite manmade structures has been the San Xavier Mission in the Arizona desert. Its history oozes out via the mood provoking structure itself.

From the Catholic, Spanish explorers who built it, to the Native Americans who now own it and reside there, you can feel its history.

If a building is worth stopping to photograph, it is worth “seeing it” from different angles and perspectives.

Just before going to work with my cameras, I purchased some Indian Fry Bread with a bit of meat and cheese on it. I think it enhanced the mood for me.

Scenic South Dakota is or was an early west town. Somewhat of a cowboy town. It still stands so what’s a boy to do other than get out his camera?

I was attracted to the verticalness if I might say, of this 1800s building along the Mississippi River in Wisconsin.

This 1800s workshop was also found in Wisconsin but this time within a few miles of Lake Michigan.

I was attracted by the starkness of it, and the lack of color. Compositionally I placed the windows off center to make sure the image was not too stagnant in its mood.

I no longer remember where I was when I found this old shed at the edge between a field and a woodland. I know that the contrast between wood and greenery, among with that old handle was what possessed me to click the shutter.

One of my favorite moments, and that moment was very brief, was when I spotted this observatory in the late afternoon, with a massive storm in back of it. This was only about en miles from home.

When it comes to manmade objects in locations like our western deserts or mountains, I often prefer 100% nature. The worn down old shack below rests in the West Texas desert in Big Bend N. P. The hill and the building complemented each other or at least did so for me. Rules in what we will or will not photograph, are made ti be broken.

Lake and backlight courtesy of God, sailboat from man. I would imagine that I took a reflected light meter reading from the bright or hot spots created from the sky. That kept my exposure of the sailboat down to a near silhouette.

Trees and autumn leaves as given in nature, and a rustic footbridge build by man.

Lake and rising sun from God, piers and boats built by man.

Old barn and spring.

Early 1800s, privately owned western homestead.

While lighthouses are considered a cliché, they can make beautiful mood provoking subjects. I can attest to the fact, they can also put cash into the pockets of photographers. To me, the older they were the better.

The more ancient the manmade subject, the more invested I became in the image I created.

Below are the Pecos ruins of New Mexico. Find as many variations to the theme you are creating, as possible.

I love New Mexico! These are the Quari ruins. Dramatic and powerful light helps with buildings, much as it does with mountains and such.

Man makes signs, nature, via God, makes owls. I have had my share of Snowy Owls on signs in my life. You can never get too much.

Man is what he is, and builds what he can. The natural world can compliment it, and take it to the next level. Thanks to its proprietor, God.

May God Bless,
Wayne

The Revelation to John 7
Behold, He comes with the clouds (the second coming of Christ), and every eye shall see Him

Titus 2:13
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God, our Savior Jesus Christ.

I would like to add that it cannot happen soon enough in this broken world.