Bodie Ghost Town

Bodie, California
Time and the Sierra winds have taken their toll on the abandoned ghost town of Bodie, but much of the site remains just as it was in the thriving 1850’s gold rush era. At 8400ft the town experiences extreme temperatures—searing hot during the day and freezing cold at night. I shot the scene in daylight from many different angles, but didn’t feel I had really captured the mood of silence and solitude—the eeriness of the town defies description. I decided to camp nearby overnight and re-shoot the scene at sunrise.

Rising early I drove into town as first light coloured the sky. As the dawn palette peaked I saw this magnificent cloud pattern forming and knew I had only minutes before it would be gone. I shot roll after roll of film—in my heart I knew I was experiencing something really special. This shot completely blew me away—the combination of the frosty grass in the foreground and the dramatic movement of the sky perfectly described the essence of this unforgettable scene.

45 Artist Proof / 950 Limited Edition