Release the shutter

When in doubt. Release the shutter.

Some of you may be thinking as reading the title, “That isn’t in Rino”. You would be 100% correct. This isn’t in the Rino art district in Denver. I had always seen this interesting building on social media and it would be for sale every few years and people seemed to make a big deal of it. Nothing seemed to survive here. The location is good being right off of an interstate on the frontage road. The structure was erected in 1964 and has seen the likes of nightclubs / restaurants and the latest a gas station. I sent this image to a friend after I took it and she said “gives me children of the corn vibes”. There is a possibility this area was once covered with corn fields but its long been gobbled up by what is the Denver megalopolis. I can imagine the nightclub vibes were outstanding here in the 80’s. Meeting your buddies at the A frame for a wild night of partying and chasing guys or gals. There has been talk of demolition but the locals want it preserved since it is such a unique landmark. I can’t say I blame them. I took several photos the 30-45 minutes before sundown are so magical when it comes to photography. It is almost as if you can’t do anything wrong. I am not insinuating that my picture is perfect, I just wanted to relate i probably took 10 photos of this spot to pick from the best one. I released the shutter.

It was a 15 minute drive from Henderson where the A frame was to the Rino Art district in downtown Denver. It being so late at night on a Saturday I thought parking was going to be impossible but I found a spot on a backstreet next to the main drag. I had never been to this area before but upon arrival it was as if they sent out a memo for all street artists to rush to the scene and start covering things up. There were far fewer clean untouched walls than there were ones filled with an elegant style of graffiti. I had never been on such a busy street in my life I don’t think. I started out a little nervous just to be walking around a buzzing city street carrying a camera that I love dearly. That soon passed when I gathered this shot above. These hanging plants were in a shop on the main drag with a light shining and the street very dark. I was using my Leica SL2S with a voiglander 35Mm f1.2 lens. I will have to start being better at the other settings. After I snapped a few pics I found a bar named Pon Pon to go into. This bar is attached to an art gallery so I looked at that when I planned my trip. I thought it may be okay for someone to be doing street photography. Walking up the switchback ramp to the entrance, the bouncer stopped me and said “I am going to have to look inside that bag my man.” I smiled and said “Of course dude just a camera and some lenses.” He took a quick peek then checked my Id and let me in the place. I think I will make this my new ritual as far as when I go out on walks to find shots. If the bar is quiet enough then its a good spot to change lenses should you want to or just take a second and look through your pictures.

After the thirst was quenched I parted ways with Pon Pon. The bar was starting to get busier with a younger crowd so I didn’t want to press my luck with the atmosphere getting any less mild than it was. I grabbed my trusty satchel and decided to venture down some side streets connecting the main drag. I spotted this long alley you see above with a restaurant somehow in the middle of it and a pool hall! How neat is that. Not to mention the artwork that lined both sides. I believe I had to have the 35mm f1.2 wide open here and add a little iso to get the lighting to work. I have been using a 1/4 Tiffen Pro black mist filter on all of my night lenses. That seems to make the lights pop a little more than they would if it was just glass. It also protects the lens which is most likely the most important function of a filter.

Making my way back to the main drag, I was still feeling a little nervous with how many people were walking up and down the streets. No one was in any way hostile but I had never been on this busy of a street much less carrying a load of expensive camera gear. I am a bigger fella so I would imagine I wouldn’t be the main target of a robbery but should it happen I have my camera strapped to my wrist. Anyway, moving on. I spotted this garage door and container next to the building that was covered with flyers and all kinds of interesting colors. The reflection of the shake shack, which is a newer establishment, across the street in the older garage door seemed to show the difference in dynamics in the area. I liked this picture a lot.

As I made my way down the street a little further I stopped to take a few pictures of a church. The courtyards were barred / gated. There was someone laying on the ground next to the church with their head covered and what looked to be asleep. The thought crossed my mind to take the picture as it did move me how the person decided to sleep in front of the church of all places. I didn’t out of respect but I hope that person gets the help they need. The picture above was on my way out back to the vehicle. I hated it didn’t turn out as good as I had wanted. There was expanded metal in front of the old gondola car and it turned up the noise on the photo. You know what I did though? I released the shutter. Until next time.

Kyle