Down the Road

Photographs and stories by Jim Grey

single frame: Power tower in color

Jim Grey
8 comments on single frame: Power tower in color
1 minute
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Power tower

Power tower in color
Minolta Maxxum HTsi
35-80mm f/4-5.6 Maxxum AF Zoom
Fujifilm Superia X-tra 400
2021

The high-voltage power lines that cut through my neighborhood fascinate me. I photograph the towers a lot, usually in black and white. But here’s a color shot I made with the Minolta Maxxum HTsi, a competent AE/AF SLR. Read my review here.

You’ll see a lot more of these power towers in my new book, Vinyl Village. It’s a comprehensive look at this neighborhood as a typical American suburban subdivision. It’s just $9.99! Learn more and get a copy here.

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Comments

8 responses to “single frame: Power tower in color”

  1. Andy Umbo Avatar
    Andy Umbo

    Boy, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a power tower that close to a line of houses! I’m not sure that’s even allowed where I live by zoning laws.

    Nice light tho, must have been late day or early morning. Great time to shoot! “Golden Hours”…I try to follow the old “pro” rule of never shooting outdoors between 9am and 3pm, hard to do on a road trip.

    Reply
    1. Jim Grey Avatar
      Jim Grey

      I fit in photography when I can, so I deal with whatever light I’ve got. I shoot at straight up noon all the time.

      Reply
  2. bodegabayf2 Avatar
    bodegabayf2

    Growing up in Upstate New York, a Niagara Mohawk high voltage transmission line crossed my grandmother’s farm. Cut through straight down the middle. They compensated her with a one-time, very modest payment when they put the lines through. Those things always scared me. They hummed when it was dry and crackled when it rained.

    Reply
    1. Jim Grey Avatar
      Jim Grey

      This neighborhood was once a farm — those farmers, I’m sure, got the same bad bargain when these power lines came in.

      Reply
  3. tbm3fan Avatar
    tbm3fan

    I sure hope those houses were cheap to buy because those towers scream “the wrong side of the tracks.” In fact the tracks are right behind the houses which is why houses next to railroad tracks are cheap. In fact I might prefer tracks over these as tracks aren’t an eyesore like these nor threaten you with EMR over years and years although a track can be noisy and dangerous to those that play on them.

    Reply
    1. Jim Grey Avatar
      Jim Grey

      In this wealthy suburb, this subdivision is essentially the ghetto. Yet this is the most expensive house I’ve ever lived in, but that’s not saying much as I’ve lived well below my means before this.

      Reply
  4. marcusterrypeddle Avatar
    marcusterrypeddle

    That is amazingly close to the houses, but I suppose you can get used to anything after a while.
    The top of the tower reminds me of the alien space ships in Space Invaders.

    Reply
    1. Jim Grey Avatar
      Jim Grey

      I wouldn’t want a power tower in my back yard! Good eye on the Space Invaders look.

      Reply

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