In the past century, dreams have flourished in the deserts of California, fueled by gold, war, optimism and wealth, only to later be abandoned. Homes, mines, utopian societies, railroads, airports, airplanes, cars, gas stations, and more were eventually forsaken.
Already a place of mystery, the desert seems even more so at night as shadows wander, winds whisper, and stars slowly swim across the sky. Explore with the author as he illuminates these forgotten locales while creating haunting long exposures of several minutes or more, slowing the passage of time into a single image. If you are a fan of creative photography, American history, abandoned sites, or have an insatiable curiosity for travel, Abandoned Southern California: The Slowing of Time invites you on a surrealistic night journey.
KEN LEE is a West Coast-based photographer who specializes in night photography. He incorporates “light painting”—illuminating the scene with handheld light—during the long exposure, choosing what to highlight and what to keep in shadow while the camera shutter is open. He loves the active, creative process, and finds that he gets to slow down and connect to the environment, often while exploring abandoned sites. His unusual, sometimes haunting night images have appeared in National Geographic books, Omni Magazine, Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Magazine, and many other publications.