A Journey Through Bodie Ghost Town Photo Gallery by Ray Soemarsono - www.aperturaphoto.com at pbase.com

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Ray Soemarsono - www.aperturaphoto.com | profile | all galleries >> Landscapes & Travel >> A Journey Through Bodie Ghost Town

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A Journey Through Bodie Ghost Town

Please VOTE to support this gallery. But more importantly, please leave me your thoughts & comments.

***Note: I went back to Bodie for the second time on Sept 18, 2004 and that gallery is here
in full color if you want to make a comparison.

All photographs are protected by copyright law. You may view the images for your own personal use,
but may not reproduce, redistribute or sell the images without expressed written permission.

Guest		04-Oct-2008 00:02
This is such a wonderful facinating place and your pictures capture it beautifully. thank you for sharing them. I went to bodie a few years ago now and i enjoyed it a lot. Thanks Greg United Kingdom

Gerard Semola		18-Aug-2008 20:13
Ghostly Greetings Ray, Nice work here pal! Great composition use of light etc. Did you use any special filters, lenses, and/or digital editing software on these pics? If so what did you do? Also, what type of camera(s) did you use? Just curious. Beautiful angles. The cloud cover definitely adds to the overall effect of vast open space! Nice job with that too! I realize its a ghost town (both figuratively and literally) but how do those ghosts keep that church so darn CLEAN! yeesh! There must be some elves in there too doing yeomens work! LOL! Neat vehicles! Cant believe someone has not "rescued" this place from oblivion yet! But then again, that's what makes it so charning I suppose! No gift shop here aye???? LOL! Must be a fun place to stumble upon or ghost hunt in! Keep up the good work! Gerry Semola Haunted Times GHU member (new initiate) reniassanceprince@hotmail.com renaissanceartist@yahoo.com

Gerard Semola		18-Aug-2008 20:09
Ghostly Greetings Ray, Nice work here pal! Great composition use of light etc. Did you use any special filters, lenses, and/or digital editing software on these pics? If so what did you do? Also, what type of camera(s) did you use? Just curious. Beautiful angles. The cloud cover definitely adds to the overall effect of vast open space! Nice ob with that too! I realize its a ghost town (both figuratively and literally) but how do those ghosts keep that church so CLEAN! yeesh! There must be some elves in there too doing yeomens work! LOL! Neat vehicles! Cant believe someone has not "rescued" this place from oblivion yet! Butm then again, that's what makes it so charning I suppose! No gigt shop here aye???? LOL! Must be a fun place to stumble upon or ghost hunt in! Keep up the good work! Gerry Semola Haunted Times GHU member (new initiate) reniassanceprince@hotmail.com renaissanceartist@yahoo.com

carrock8		07-Mar-2008 02:55
very good pictures. enjoyed viewing them greatly..i was hunting for a picture of a ghost town to use. thanks for putting yours online to view. please email me with information on how to obtain permission to use one of your photos.

Jean-Luc Elias		05-Feb-2008 08:25
Slendid old world pictures!!

Chris		04-Feb-2008 14:09
Fantastic picturs Somtime i will come to usa and visit a Gohst Toens

Martin		30-Jan-2008 14:01
Fantastic images. I reside in the UK but spent 6 months in Ridgecrest in the early 90's. I remember going to Bodie one day. These bring back great memories!

angela		22-Jan-2008 19:33
great pictures! once again it's amazing how black/white can add to a picture.planning a trip to bodie ourselves this summer so we definitely have some inspiration right now..! looking forward to see more pictures of you.

Heide Hansen		08-Jan-2008 08:35
The photos are amazing. You can look at the black and white photos and feel the presence of those that use to live there. I much prefer the black and white over the colors. I was wondering if one might purchase copies of these photos.

James		06-Dec-2007 21:23
Great job

Tarang		07-Nov-2007 13:09
Thats cool.Your work is great.I loved to see these photos.These are the type of mythical.Great job man!

Michael Adams		02-Oct-2007 14:52
Great gallery!

jaylight		08-Sep-2007 14:17
Beautiful gallery. V

billy rob		30-Aug-2007 20:25
wow,love it.visiting in october 2007

GINGER		24-Aug-2007 06:18
VERY COOL..YOU FEEL LIKE YOU RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TOWN YOURSELF. G

angela h		07-Jul-2007 04:20
ahhhhh these are wonderful thank you

Prairiefoto		30-Apr-2007 01:01
One of the best "Bodie" galleries I've seen!

lindi		15-Feb-2007 10:23
your work is beautiful. You have managed to capture lonliness, tranquility and the sense of people who were once there. very impressive.

健太郎		13-Jan-2007 13:45
とてもすばらしい写真を拝見させていただきました。写真から朽ち果てていく物に対するリスペクトを感じました。モノクロとカラーの対比は良いアィデアですね！

Barbara Read and Fred Schaad		16-Dec-2006 16:53
Exceptional work! Well done. V

Angela		06-Nov-2006 06:17
I like the black and white better personally. Well done.

Preda Liviu		06-Nov-2006 00:16
beautiful work of arts you have here...and the message is so scarry

Seychelles		21-Oct-2006 13:37
Beautiful work!

RICH		04-Oct-2006 16:43
RAY * ADD THE B&W GALLERY TO MY FAVORITE'S

Truman Holtzclaw		28-Sep-2006 00:17
Great variety and striking photos. You have done a great job in presenting "Ghost Town" imagery.

Ken Lane		14-Aug-2006 00:00
I've visited Bodie and the surrounding area many times over the past 20 years. It's lonely, beautiful, and peaceful. I've always thought that if I had a choice, that would be the place I'd leave this earth from. Your photographs do it justice.............

k. Watson		31-Jul-2006 17:37
Your gallery is beautiful! I am going to bodie next week for the first time and i am sooooo excited! your photos made me even more excited to see such an amazing place!!

kyoung k kim		21-May-2006 07:12
beautiful gallery!

Billy		26-Apr-2006 01:03
This is a great place to see the life that was lived by descendants...There are pictures here that my Great-Grandfather owns (The Casino and Motel) My great grandfather was "Sam Leon"...and once a year my family and I get to visit these places and go in and take pictures...I have got to really enjoy my familys history and these pictures gives a very unique insite of that...Great job on the pictures...i too have many pictures and pictures of what you can not see behind those walls...Enjoy

herb wood		09-Feb-2006 03:30
Bodie as it should be- in black and white. A long time favorite place.

Daniel Rocha		06-Feb-2006 21:07
Congratulations! Your work is very beautiful. My name is Daniel Rocha ("Rocha" means "Rock"..:), I'm a writer from Porto Alegre, southern from Brazil. In my novel, there's a part when the character dreams with a Ghost Town, a very dark and mystic place, and I will write inspired by your pictures. Really, really cool. I'll tell more people to see your page. I wish you success. See you on the Ghost Town. Big hugs from Brazil, Daniel

steve mynott		02-Feb-2006 12:39
great pics :) just the kind of place id love to look around keep up the good work steve from uk

Marc Auber		03-Jan-2006 21:48
So much has been lost. Living in West Virginia, I doubt that I will ever be fortunate enought to visit. I suppose that I should say that would be a dream of mine - heading west an scouring the country side. A tribute should be made for all those who once put this wonderful place, Bodie, on the map. They sustained a lifestyle at one time. Your photos represent the concept very well.

Robert Socha		14-Dec-2005 17:59
BRILLIANT. One of my favorites. Vote. Very inspiring work.

Domenico Pescosolido		03-Nov-2005 08:34
Wonderful gallery, all photos are very nice and well composed. I like this sepia tone. Regards Domenico

Tracey Kirkham		01-Nov-2005 07:58
These photographs are magnificent! Excellent in capturing the mood/feel of each place! Very well done!

chiller		28-Oct-2005 21:50
T.Y. My family and I lived in Bodie in the 60's while it was being turned into a state park. As a kid I had a blast there and I miss the area very much. Your pics. are great and do it justice.

Jessie		13-Sep-2005 22:10
I have visited Bodie many times. It is a beautiful ghost town. I don't have the words to describe it more accurately. Your pictures are fantastic, right down to the wooden globe in the school.

Donna		13-Sep-2005 16:48
My son has to do a school project on a historic site in California. He choose Brodie Ghost Town. Upon looking it up on Mapquest I must say I was less than thrilled at driving 4 hours to visit Brodie. After viewing your photographs I am very intrigued and looking forward to this trip with my son and daughters. I hope that we can capture some of the beauty on film just as you did. Thanks for the wonderful photographs.

meghager		12-Sep-2005 22:03
Very impressed that someone is making a record of these towns. I lived in Utah for a while, and on drives would see old abandoned buildings and think they were beautiful. Also a web designer, but just for myself, and you have a great site also.

Rhiannon		11-Sep-2005 07:36
ABSOUTELY BREATH TAKING: Your photos are wonderful, just beautiful...well done!

lowell		08-Aug-2005 00:30
outstanding usage of natural light and shadows

zian		25-Jul-2005 09:49
Spectacular gallery with collection of professional shots.

Tom Bolt		16-Jun-2005 05:21
Hi Ray, Great pics! My favorite ghost town. We're Interested in 7449...how do we go about procuring rights to reproduce one copy?

Loic LE BRUSQ		14-Jun-2005 08:32
La maitrise de l'outil photographique saute au yeux tant le rendu est d'exception. Un vari plaisir ce retour dans le temps. Bravo et bonne continuation ! zian [ My Pbase galleries ]

Saddle in the Sky		10-Jun-2005 14:37
I used to ask myself "why would anyone want to visit Bodie?" After seeing your gallery I know the answer. Great photos. You did a good job creating a mood.

Lenny Lee		09-Jun-2005 05:18
I am a Chinese college student. I would like to know why these towns were abandoned? Are all the artifacts in these scenes fake, or , they are what they were when their hosts left them behind?

Mariajose Garcia		28-May-2005 02:43
My God, I've never seen any ghost town that looked so beautiful and intact and well...pure, thank you so much for taking this pictures and putting them here on the internet, keep up the great work, I'm a photographer myself but I must admit I'm overwhelmed by yuor photographs. Again, congratulation

antfugue		27-Mar-2005 06:35
jeeze, I've been to Bodie, and it never looked this good. I have to go back now.

Carmi Henderson		16-Mar-2005 03:38
These photos are awesome!! I would love to visit this place to take some photos of my own sometime. Thanks for sharing them through this gallery.

Sam Antonio		11-Mar-2005 19:19
Great photos. Bodie and Death Valley are next on my shooting list. Sam Antonio www.picturetrail.com/bircher

Sergio Alves		05-Mar-2005 13:19
AMAZING GALLERY!!! Of course I will vote for it.

Jasmine Turner		17-Feb-2005 19:47
Great photos Ray .

whitley		13-Feb-2005 00:50
Hey i was wondering if you culd send me pics of the ghost showdow and shape. I hpe you send this to me in one month when ever you can get the pictuers taken during the night time in the pictures you have in your photo gallery. If you dont know why i am saying this becouse i think i saw a ghost befor in this place hope you give me the pics so i know thatghost are real and that they do exsite. Your Friend whitley harkcom

Jenn		12-Feb-2005 05:25
Lovely photo gallery Ray .

Danielle Jameson		18-Jan-2005 18:56
These photos are magnificent, well done Ray .

pingupingu		17-Jan-2005 22:20
very good poste-treatment work, taht work very well to show the mood of this town ... congrats

RadioWonder		17-Jan-2005 21:20
You have perfectly captured the mood of this old town...

Sharon		16-Jan-2005 16:24
Excellent work, this is a really well done collection .

Yolanda		04-Jan-2005 15:02
Love the pictures Ray, looking forward to seeing some more of your work when you get a chance .

Terry		03-Jan-2005 06:43
You really know how to use B&W well, love your work .

Tommy Johnson		02-Jan-2005 15:26
Great gallery, really enjoyed your shots .

John		31-Dec-2004 15:43
Amazing gallery, love your work .

Guest		27-Dec-2004 12:53
these photos are awesome! i keep coming back to them and showing them to my friends, because they are just so creepy. keep up the good work! your pix make me want to visit this place!

Janet		25-Dec-2004 01:18
Great gallery Ray, I really love your photos .

John		24-Dec-2004 21:47
Great photos thanks so much for sharing them..

Todd		23-Dec-2004 14:30
Awesome b/w shots, thanks for sharing .

John Blake		20-Dec-2004 20:29
Excellent photo gallery, I really enjoyed checking out your shots.. .

Philip Lombardi		19-Dec-2004 22:28
Ray, just a super job, each pictures tells it own story. Your choice of B&W and contrast would make Aansel Adams smile. You have a special insight to a great medium.

Derek Daniel		29-Nov-2004 09:25
Hi Ray, I am very impressed with your set of photos within this gallery, you have captured the mood and atmosphere extremely well. All being well I am coming over to the States next year, and having seen a few pictures of Bodie, I had planned to spend a few hours, but having seen your pictures, I am now planning to spend a whole day. Thank you for sharing your photos. Derek

Melody B.		13-Nov-2004 05:32
i am really impressed with these photographs. amazing work, from one photographer to another. thanks for showing such an amazing side of this ghost town.

Jennifer		06-Oct-2004 20:56
Beautiful. The photos were breath taking. I remember visiting Bodie as a child MANY times and this happens to be my FAVORITE ghost town in California history. Your photos brought goose bumps to my skin and that 'old feeling' I had as a child came rushing back!

James		03-Oct-2004 17:31
I just wanted to say that I enjoyed looking at the pictures especially the church and the saloon, it amazing to see things like piano's, roulette tables and other items still intact. I didn't notice what state this is in, if you can email me back with a text message I would like to know where the town is located. James

Women Digital Photographers		28-Aug-2004 02:21
nice gallery. ~~april http://www.pbase.com/w_d_p/april_sims

STERLING		27-Aug-2004 23:54
some great stuff here....

Lauraye		27-Aug-2004 20:16
I never knew there was a ghost town in existance that was in such wonderful shape. It must be guarded to protect all those antiques. I hope to see it in person someday.

Marisa		27-Aug-2004 11:50
Stunning photographs!! I really enjoying viewing these and just had to comment on your talent as a photographer. The way you positioned these shots is truly fanatastic.

Jessica		27-Aug-2004 00:01
I visited Bodie for the first time last week...I loved it from start to finish. Your photo's are beautiful and capture the town so well

Maeve 31		22-Aug-2004 16:56
Absolutely breathtaking! I liked the contrast between the serenity of the sky, where all the shapes are soft and changing, and the serenity of this deserted place, where each object, each line is crystalline and sharp. Great work!

Sefi Nakar		22-Aug-2004 07:36
Amazing gallery, Where is it this place? How did you photo these picture?

rena lopez		10-Aug-2004 08:19
I want to know how you take such pretty and perfect pictures . Can you teach me !!!. Lovely I wish that you were here to take photos of my children .

jodygirl		30-Jul-2004 11:28
Beautiful, a place I must vist and see for real. The Photo's are just breath taking.

John		03-Jul-2004 02:29
Just all i have to say is, Wow. Truely Beautiful, and im not an art person.

trudy		02-Jul-2004 17:39
Just like a previous post,it is "surreal". How beautiful and purely amazing!!!!!!!!!

Trevor O.		01-Jul-2004 16:20
I've been to Bodie and your photos capture the desolation in great detail. It's a wonderful place when it's not crawling with tourists to the point where you can't get a good photo off. A nice piece of California history right there, beautiful photos.

Dave Wagner		16-Jun-2004 22:32
Surreal doesn't even start to describe it. How do you even get a camera to produce that kind of effect? Amazing.

Sher Hogue		16-Jun-2004 20:27
today i watched a SciFi channel show called "Beyond Bizarre" about this town. fascinating gallery!

Rick Bouthiette		16-Jun-2004 18:02
What else can I say...WOW!

Egill Bjarki		13-Jun-2004 03:54
This is one of the most beautyfull B&W gallery I have seen. Clear gut genius work there.

b yates		17-May-2004 21:01
What a perfect collection of Photographs. This is one of the first galleries I visited when I first found pbase a few week back, I was very impressed then. Since then, I have visited many more Galleries and have know returned to say " I am still very impressed with your work." I would say this is one of the best galleries on this site. Really great work. byates

Maurizio		09-May-2004 06:41
Very beautiful photos! Exceptional

Ron Horloff		05-May-2004 17:55
The thought that went into each photo is inspiring. Each seems to have the perfect angle, lighting, and composition. I've rarely seen the flavor of a place portrayed so well. Ron

Guest		30-Apr-2004 04:28
Love the special mood presented in your well composition photography. http://www.photos-of-the-year.com

Weston Perry		30-Apr-2004 02:14
This is a very inspiring gallery to me, thanks for sharing man.

solotina vincenti		29-Apr-2004 22:28
thank you for letting me re-visit Bodie. Its been many years since we were there, your work incompasses the strange feelings one is treated to,while walking those streets. Great job, sincerely. Solotina Vincenti..

Alon Brik		29-Apr-2004 19:30
unbelivible stuff! I'm just starting to get in to B&W. would love to hear your opinion! http://www.pbase.com/djarvik/black__white Thanx a lot! You are an insparation to me! Regards! Alon Brik

P�ivi Rantanen		29-Apr-2004 06:54
Greatest photos I've seen for a while: inspiring and mythical. Quite3 a platform to storytelling!

Ray Soemarsono - www.aperturaphoto.com		28-Apr-2004 18:51
Joe, You can read all about the history of Bodie on this state park website: http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=509 It is definitely not a movie set, but it would be great if it were. Ray

Joe		28-Apr-2004 18:42
How can it be a ghost town from the 1800's if it has gas pumps and old cars. I think this is a movie set.

uriel		28-Apr-2004 10:55
just great!

John Burnett		22-Apr-2004 12:59
Simply superb, Ray. Congratulations.

guest		16-Apr-2004 16:30
The photographics are beautiful and inspirational with regards to the craft. Your viw of a time gone by is poignant and enduring.

Weston Perry		14-Apr-2004 05:01
Amazing gallery

Ling		10-Apr-2004 04:10
I like the vacant scenes and the perfect tones of your photos!:)

R P		07-Apr-2004 23:47
Absolutely stunning pictures...

Surfer		18-Mar-2004 06:06
Absolutely fantastic. Excellent composition.

Adrian		14-Mar-2004 14:53
This is some of the best work I have ever seen on PBase. Thanks for the experience.

Guest		06-Mar-2004 11:24
Follout... post nuclear... +)

Dave Schlom		05-Mar-2004 22:21
Ray, Your essay on Bodie really captures the place's spirit. I loved this gallery -- one of my favorite so far on pbase. It's also cool that we use the same camera! I voted for your gallery and hope you will visit mine. You'll even see a Bodie pic in there! Best Wishes -- Dave

Jill		05-Mar-2004 12:57
What a discovery to capture as well as you have.

Howard Sandler		05-Mar-2004 03:12
Superb photos. Love the bold skies and rich tones. Gets my vote!

Philip Ruder		28-Feb-2004 18:54
Excelent gallery Ray, who keeps it from being cleared away ?

Brian Klimowski		19-Feb-2004 07:13
Simply inspiring. You've taken a wonderful subject and demonstrated how to capture it very, very well! Brian

Andrys Basten		15-Feb-2004 08:02
Absolutely awesome. Have you ever read James Agee's "Let us now praise famous men" ? He describes rooms with a feeling that is almost psychedelic, and your use of light reminds me of his descriptions. I'm more affected by your pictures than by Walker Evans' photos that accompany his book (which won a Pulitzer).

Guest		10-Feb-2004 04:01
espectacular!!!!

Steve Gadomski		09-Feb-2004 17:45
Forgot the URL http://stevesphotography.tripod.com

Steve Gadomski		09-Feb-2004 17:43
Nice work Ray. Looks like you had a good "cloud" day. Check out my Bodie page if you like. Click on the Bodie link at top of homepage.

Clement C		04-Feb-2004 13:48
Fantastic work!! Totally love it. How can anyone abandon such a beautiful town. I am learning to shoot in B & W. Was wondering if you used any filters to get that strong contrast for the skies?

markulus		02-Feb-2004 00:27
Simply unbelievable beauty images. Po prostu niewiarygodnie pi�kniste zdj�tka.

Michael Brodey		14-Jan-2004 00:52
Ray, I just returned from Bodie and Mono Lake (and skiing Mammoth). Went into Bodie on a 4 wheel Honda ATV (road closed - snow). We were the only ones there. I'm also shooting with a 10D, but choose to keep my winter shots in color. Check them out. Mike Brode2

A Guest		13-Jan-2004 21:06
Great work of art Ray !! Congs !! This ghost town seems so mystic.

Zane Paxton		04-Jan-2004 21:24
A most excellent photo essay; you reveal something deeper about this extrordinary place.

Guest		04-Jan-2004 01:35
Beautiful images. I thoroughly enjoyed this gallery. It makes me wonder about this ghost town and how it came to be left so perfectly without looters tearing it to shreds. You've sparked my interest in something new with such a great presentation of it.

Tim May		24-Dec-2003 19:05
Bodie must have been photographed more times than Julia Roberts and this set of pictures is probably the the most unique and interesting that I have seen. You have made a ghost town come "ghostily" alive.

Carol E Sandgren		24-Dec-2003 02:41
I don't know where I've been, but I just got a look at this gallery of yours. I'm so impressed by it's haunting collection of photos! It feels indeed eerie that everything has been left just as it was, as if they left fleetingly. I am not familiar with Bodie's history, but now I know I have to go there as well. I love the compositions that you do, emphasizing each element of importance. I also appreciate the slight sepia tones as well Wondered what film you used for these shots..some look like infrared.

patrice		10-Dec-2003 19:56
These are my favorites pictures...Superbes prises de vues.

rosalind31		08-Dec-2003 04:14
WHOA! Those are damn cool shots! Good work plus good find!

Jacob Fishman		03-Dec-2003 02:15
Excellent Gallery! Keep up the great work.

Craig Gillette		22-Nov-2003 05:41
A while back on some forum, the question was asked about why some people were shooting in B&W and/or sepia. I think this gallery goes a long, long way to answering that question!

wtraub		22-Nov-2003 03:14
OK � I just got the pbase message that I had already voted for your gallery � I knew I really liked it. Can't blame me for voting for it again � so I forgot that I had voted for it before. You did a PERFECT job in processing each image the gallery. � Waynette

Cookie Bretz-Smith		21-Nov-2003 18:49
I have been to Bodie twice and your gallery gave me the third visit! Beautifully done. I am curious, however, why you did not include some pictures from the Cemetary. I found a whole other world in pictures and text going through the cemetary when I visited. It seems like a paradox, but the Cemetary really brought the town to life :) Looking forward to your future gallerys.

Edward Nicholl		21-Nov-2003 12:41
Stumbled across PBase while browsing, and came across your gallery. I'm over the moon to see monochrome photos such as these available for all to see in the digital world. A real tonic. I shall be recommending many other people to visit this gallery.

danielle garvin		19-Nov-2003 21:17
Wow, Ray...these are beautiful!

Eyup Eser		19-Nov-2003 19:57
Amazing this proofs that furnitures, buildings, even utter silence and solidarity got their own soul.

Phyllis Stewart		17-Nov-2003 19:16
Wonderful photos! Great angles and composition, perfect tone and tint. I have never heard of this place...would love to see it for myself.

Bart Aldrich		26-Oct-2003 15:15
Sorry, I forgot to leave a comment on my first visit. This ranks with the very best galleries I've seen. B&W is less used and appreciated now days, which makes well-done B&W that much more dramatic to me. Bodie is the perfect subject for this and these are EXCELLENT! PS Thanks for your comments! And the new digital Canon gear is sublime.

Elaine		03-Oct-2003 03:32
I have been to Bodie many times and throughly enjoyed seeing it through your lens. Did you take any pictures of the cemetery. It is unique. I am taking black and white film next time I go. It captures the mood perfectly.

Bailey Zimmerman		22-Sep-2003 05:05
Ray, This is a very profound series of images!! Reminds me of a book by Chris Van Allsburg...The Mysteries of Harris Burdick!! This is a quote from the dustjacket...I believe it's appropriate....and more eloquent than I could express!! "...the mysteries presented by these images, are not what we are use to. They are not solved for us, as in the final pages in a book or a film's last reel. The solutions to these mysteries ie in a place at once closer at, yet far more remote. They lie in our imagination". You have touched magic!!

monique		21-Sep-2003 08:10
I was in Bodie myself in 1997 and your pictures more than do its bleak beauty justice

Brian Gustafson		19-Sep-2003 03:07
Thanks for the journey. AWESOME!! Brian. http://www.pbase.com/digidawg/landscapes

Tom		18-Sep-2003 13:59
Hello, my compliments for your nice photos! Please come see my photos sometime? Best regards from Tom. http://members.lycos.nl/tomjutte/

Omayok		18-Sep-2003 07:35
S e n s a t i o n a l ! Full of emotion.

tglass		14-Sep-2003 04:53
Well, there goes the neighborhood...

ease1914		13-Sep-2003 23:33
you have resurrected life from a "ghost town" truly magnificent!

Lawrence Ong		13-Sep-2003 00:05
Very good. Clever use of monotone here! http://www.pbase.com/lolc

Megan Setter		12-Sep-2003 21:58
This is amazing work. I could feel the life that once was in these pictures, and expected to see ghosts still dancing and laughing and living while I looked at the photographs. I have got to see this place. Thank you for sharing. They are amazing photos.

joanna		12-Sep-2003 02:04
very impressive, i even made one of your photos my wallpaper.i've never seen anything like this b4

Cherri		11-Sep-2003 03:45
An amazing collection with a unique and interesting style.

RickyChan		08-Sep-2003 13:23
NICE pictures. Check out my gallery too!! http://www.pbase.com/arricky/root

Ray Soemarsono - www.aperturaphoto.com		07-Sep-2003 14:23
Phil, your comments are not taken lightly. I truly appreciate the thorough analysis from a teacher/mentor point of view. Best regards.

Ray Soemarsono - www.aperturaphoto.com		07-Sep-2003 14:07
Thank you for the kind words, Dirk. I went there once. I guess my luck was with me that day. This is a California Historic State Park, so yes, it is definitely protected. You can find more info here: http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=509

Dirk Vermeirre		07-Sep-2003 01:22
Hi Ray, astonishing gallery, superb compositions, the right light, 'the'mood, superb toning, a big bravo ! I'm very attracted to this kind of lonely and left places and I don't know why, they are so charming and have so much impact. Did you go there several times or just once ? You seems to be gone there at 'the moment', a perfect matching dramatic sky and the right and superb light. Another question, is this ghost town protected ? It looks like a museum, a lot of things are untouched like if people left from one moment to another and I'm also wondered that it's not destroyed by vandals.I would be very happy if you could answer my questions and again a big bravo for this more than excellent job ! Regards, Dirk

Nikki Harman		06-Sep-2003 17:37
This is a fantastic collection! The B&W really adds to the atmosphere. Brilliant! Nikki

Stefan Rohner		06-Sep-2003 12:11
Hello Ray, very good!

Seb		06-Sep-2003 10:34
How can I contact this guy - does anyone know if he sells his work anywhere because I'd love to buy some.

Deona Flores		05-Sep-2003 17:19
Your photos are astonishing! I especially appreciate the sense of 'history' your subject matter represents. The obvious historic content reads well but more intriquing is the drama and depth that speaks past the typical composition of historic photo's. I was awakened to a personal sense of my own history in viewing your images and ironically comforted by the sense of loss I felt. Thank-you for your creative vision.

Phil Douglis		05-Sep-2003 16:35
This is one of the most substantive photo essays I've seen so far in my brief time on Pbase. Your images are beautifully crafted photographs, but the form does not get in the way of content. Your shooting style, choice of medium, and range of subject matter all serve a larger purpose. To communicate. Thanks, Ray, for making my day.

Nina		05-Sep-2003 14:20
Simply astonishing!

flashboy		05-Sep-2003 03:08
beautiful images. very classic, timeless images.... perfectly framed.... thanks for sharing.

bob reynolds		05-Sep-2003 02:00
Another outstanding gallery Ray. You have a great eye for composition. Beautiful images and beutiful B&W toning. Very well done.

blu		04-Sep-2003 14:36
with which camera did you make these? digital or film (color or b/w)? thanks for letting us know - execellent gallery! regards from switzerland, u.

silvano		04-Sep-2003 13:25
Excellent gallery! great work! Complimenti!

T.G.		04-Sep-2003 04:00
Ray, There are lots of photos of Bodie Ghost Town on the net. I haven't seen any that top yours. The lighting and tone in your images is fantastic! Just really great work!! Thanks.

David		03-Sep-2003 15:27
What happened to Bodie? It looks like people just up and left in the middle of the night. Great photos. The one with the globe is downright spooky!

Jal		02-Sep-2003 13:45
Fantastic Gallery Ray! Each one of your photos are unique! Jal

Neil Tin		02-Sep-2003 02:10
These are amazing... are you a Professional?

Denise Dee		01-Sep-2003 11:00
I agree with M, this would make a wonderful book. Great gallery, love the bleakness, and the light. you have my vote. thanks, Denise

m		31-Aug-2003 11:06
Publish this as a book, and I'll buy it.

Ram�n Palomo		31-Aug-2003 00:28
Incredible place and very nice pictures. Very well done. Ram�n

Rebecca		30-Aug-2003 20:25
Beautiful.

Andrew A.		30-Aug-2003 03:15
Great Contrast

Casey Williams		29-Aug-2003 21:48
Nice images! Thanks for sharing. Casey

Rob		29-Aug-2003 18:20
Great gallery! I felt like I was back in time.

ac		29-Aug-2003 16:25
Interesting subject, beautiful photos, nice presentation. Congratulations.

Steven Russell		29-Aug-2003 15:19
This place looks like a photographer's heaven- you've made a very good job indeed of conveying the mood.

Dan Chusid		29-Aug-2003 06:08
Ray: Truly one of my favorite places even though I've never photographed here. It's been on my long list of locations... Tom, Matt Joyce and I are going shooting on Saturday. I'll post some of what we do next week. Regards, - Dan

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