Same Old News from Austin, a photo from Texas, South

Photographer's Note

Austin has been changing -- at an ever-increasing rate -- for many years. This week, a carhop-style hamburger joint that had been in business since 1973 was demolished. The landowner decided to raise the rent and the business decided they could not afford to stay.
The place opened in 1973 as "Dan's Hamburgers," owned by a married couple. When they were divorced, the wife took this location and called it by her name, "Fran's."
Fran blames rising property taxes: “It’s a little sad, but I can’t afford it. The real reason is the taxes. In South Austin unless you’ve got a million dollar place and you sell alcohol, you’re not going to make enough money to pay the taxes.”
A local business will build a new restaurant on this prime corner of South Congress Avenue, and it will be neat. But one more piece of Old Austin was crushed and carted away this week.

Foto note: the colors here were pretty catching -- the machine is a bright yellow and the paint on the building a deep red -- but the sky was cloudy that day, the light was very even, and I thought the light and the subject favored the monochrome presentation.

No_One, jhm, kordinator, jcpix, macjake, ourania, serp2000, delpeoples ha contrassegnato questa nota come utile

Critiques | Translate

No_One (4) 2015-01-23 13:06

Hi Russ
Great to see you post, though its a little bit of a sad one as we see in well chosen black and white a little bit of history and a little bit of someone's dreams so easily dismantled with the arm of this rather ominous machine. The march of progress never stops, whether we like it or not! Deliberate planned devastation.

You might like to see by the way, in my gallery (click on my map of Ireland and choose the region of Cork), I have a pic of a statue called the Navigator. This was one inspired purely by your cool posts of those beachfront sculptures in La Paz. As soon as I saw that statue in Cobh, I thought of your posts and had to take a picture inspired by your photos.

And another by the way too, I get to see your wonderful city next month! My job is bringing me to Austin for three days and I am really hoping to get to see the bats of Congress Avenue bridge. If you have any tips for must see places for a photog, I'd be delighted to hear!

Cheers, and best wishes from the soggy atlantic rock.
Noel

jhm (211734) 2015-01-24 0:48

Hello Russ,

The world changed everyday where also in the world.
Also in Belgium see we the urbanization grow.
Sometimes through war disappear houses, but here with a crane
Nice work picture a pity that the driver not see in his crane.
Composition and presentation are pleasant to look at.
Very well done, TFS.

Have a nice weekend,
John.

kordinator (8738) 2015-01-25 1:33

Hello Russ
A beautiful text that describes the demolished building.
He walks the sky is empty or the like in black and white format images look nice.
I have these photos and perhaps sometimes put on TE.
Excellent composition and presentation.
Kind regards.
Saša

saxo042 (38078) 2015-01-25 6:46

Hi Russ,
A fine picture and I must have passed this place some years ago. Funny, but there is still a picture on Google Street view at 1822 South Congress. Your choice of black & white enhances the "tragedy" of this occasion. The "jaw" of the machine is perfectly positioned.
Kind regards
Gunnar

jcpix (14030) 2015-01-30 11:17

Hey Russ,

Dare I say, a "devastated" scene? lol Not the most aesthetic, but it takes on an artsy look in black & white. Hope all is well. Take it easy cowboy.

Cheers from Superbowl City,

Jason

willperrett (14195) 2015-01-31 7:08

Hello Russ

Glad to see you back posting again! I tend to agree with you about the choice of monochrome. The sky does look neutral, and I wonder if you were tempted to drop in another sky, with clouds or whatnot. I suspect this subject matter isn't pretty enough for most TE punters, but I like the documentary approach to "real life", or in this case death...

Regards

Will

eldancer1 (36343) 2015-01-31 7:45

Our culture raze old buildings down then build a new, it's a very wasteful cycle. Two buildings in Las Vegas are scheduled to be blown next month. This is a good documentary shot especially in B&W. Good lighting and nice contrast. Well done, tfs.

macjake (98262) 2015-01-31 15:57

Hi Russ
Yes, I agree 100% about your decision to change this to black and white, it suits the mood much better.

its a sad but true story of life, and it'll be interesting to see how this exact same location looks in a year or two from now.

excellent post, an emotional post for sure.
cheers
craig

ourania (51103) 2015-02-07 10:37

Hello Russ,
I agree that the scene has much more impact in monochrome for what it is, i.e. a scene of distruction. It's interesting that the monochrome looks neutral, there are no contrasts or highlights to direct our judgement. I like the importance you gave to the arch and open mouth of the machine, also the definition on the rumble and the glimpse of the neighbouring building in the background. I wonder what the workman is thinking, if he used to dine there too. The situation with the high taxes sounds so familiar... Congratulations and thank you!
All the best, have a lovely weekend,
Ourania

serp2000 (47063) 2015-02-21 8:38

Hi, Russ,
First of all I like this interesting note, the photo is good illustration of your article about this daily life scene. Excellent journalist work, it's really looks little sad. But I hope the next restaurant would be better this one.

All the best wishes,
Serghei

delpeoples (60342) 2015-03-10 15:41

Ciao Russ

A sign of the times, and I don't like it. Tradition, history and personality are pushed aside for shiny, squeaky-clean, soulless money makers. These institutions should be protected and nurtured. But unfortunately our capitalist society has no room for sentiment. Excellent choice the B&W, totally befitting of this sad occasion, which has far wider implications for us all, not just Dan and Fran.

Cheers
Lisa

nivs24 (123) 2015-03-20 6:00

It is a sad story of how a monster named tax demolished lives of people. And this picture makes the machine look like a monster. The jaws of doom poised over the building. Nice capture.