Engagement shoot...Lauren and John  April 22, 2017

U.S.S Slater (DE766)

The USS SLATER DE766 is a CANNON class destroyer escort that served in the United States Navy during World War II. One of 563 similar ships constructed between 1943 and 1945, the SLATER is the last destroyer escort remaining afloat in the United States today. Destroyer escorts were built as a result of a critical shortage of anti-submarine vessels in the Atlantic at the outset of World War II. At the request of the British Navy, American designers developed a new type of warship, based on the British HUNT class destroyer, which combined heavy anti-submarine and anti-aircraft weapons with the latest electronic equipment for detecting enemy vessels. In addition, destroyer escorts were designed to be maneuverable, high speed, long ranged vessels that could be built quickly due to their all-welded construction.

The destroyer escorts were a vital component of the Allied strategy for victory in the Atlantic. They escorted the convoys of supply ships that carried the forces needed to win the war in Europe. Destroyer escorts also served in some of the most dangerous areas of the Pacific Theater. They escorted convoys, conducted shore bombardments, and served as radar picket ships towards the end of the war. The USS SLATER served in both the Atlantic and Pacific Theaters during and immediately after the war. Following its World War II service, the ship was deactivated until 1951, when it was transferred to the Hellenic Navy. The SLATER, renamed AETOS, remained in Greek service until 1991, when it was transferred back to the United States under the care of the Destroyer Escort Historical Foundation, which began a painstaking restoration of the ship. Today the SLATER is one of less than a dozen surviving destroyer escorts, and it is the only ship that is still in its World War II configuration. I HIGHLY recommend the tour! Please visit the official site and donate to the restoration!!!

http://www.ussslater.org/

October 31st , 2016 - "Homestead Asylum / Sanitorium*

Just in time for Halloween, I visited the vacant Homestead Asylum. This asylum was a large tuberculosis sanitarium located in the hamlet of Barkersville, New York. 

The Homestead was opened in opened in 1923 and treated patients with tuberculosis until 1960. 

I spent about two hours walking the grounds. During that time, the building was un-approached by anyone. In the two hour span, one passing car drove by the property and happened to be a Saratoga County Sheriff patrol. I was in the front of the building, photographing the columns. I know he saw me on location but wasn't phased by my existence. I walked the entire property ...twice. Most of the property was fenced off, however, the west portion of fencing had been removed. In the rear of this massive building, doors were propped open by small pieces of wood. I was tempted to enter, however, being alone, I did not want to become a statistic. As I stood within meters of the building, I could hear doors creaking open and closed. Occasionally, I would hear what sounded like a metal filing cabinet or metal desk drawer, open and shut. There were many strange sounds which seemed to echo through the building. Although enticing, I did use my better judgement and abstained from entry. Enjoy the gallery! Most of the exposures are in Black and White. I think that this gives a better feel for the gloomy atmosphere.

Mallet Pond, Summit NY

Mallet Pond State Forest is a smaller state forest (2,584 acres) across the valley from the Burnt-Rossman Hills. While smaller, it is still rugged and remote, with rough dirt roads, two ponds, camping sites, and public lands to explore. Many of the roads around it are poorly marked and heavily posted, however if you drive to Summit on NY 10, and take Sawyer Hollow Road to Rossman Fly Road, this hidden beauty is clearly marked and an easily reached on foot. The lake is stocked annually with Brown and Rainbow trout.

LOVE of MY LIFE

This is a small gallery of Portraits. The subject is my Loving wife, Jennifer Ackerbauer. 20 years of marriage. She is still my best friend and favorite subject to shoot. 

GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK (SOUTH RIM)

Grand Canyon....Speaks for itself. May 2016 I was given the opportunity to visit the canyon via. Railway. Majestic is an understatement. The depth of beauty cannot be put into words. I highly recommend each and ever person visit this National Park. You will be glad you did!

Sharon Springs, New York

On 9/11/16 I opted to take a quiet walk through the Town of Sharon Springs New York. Sharon Springs is a beautiful town in Schoharie County New York. The streets were extremely quiet. The town almost gave the appearance of zero inhabitants. The two hours I spent walking around, I happened upon one person. Just one. He was the caretaker for the Adler Hotel.  As I was walking up a service road adjacent to the south side of the abandoned hotel, he approached me and sternly said "Stay out of the building! Don't go in there!" I assured him that I was just observing from afar and would respect the numerous "Posted" and "No Trespassing" signs affixed to the building. He explained to me that he gets called to the building twice a day for "kids" trespassing to take "Urbex" photos. I explained to him that I was not one of those kids and that I was a professional that does not enter without permission. After 30 minutes of conversation he explained that this building was beyond saving. The owner was removing all the iron piping and selling for scrap. The interior of 150 rooms was a mess. Mold and asbestos are prominent in the air and that the floors were beginning to give way. After our conversation was complete, he offered to take me inside for a brief tour of the first and second floors (The building has five stories). I politely declined, snapped a few more pictures, then made my way back up the hill into town. 

The town intrigues me. So beautiful and tranquil. So much history yet so much neglect. There are some efforts underway to recondition the Bath House, but appears to be slow progress. Once magnificent structures, like the Adler Hotel, are too far gone. Nature is reclaiming the buildings. Other structures such as the Roseboro Hotel, are magnificent with all it's color and beauty. I invite everyone to take a walk through this quiet town. It makes for a stimulating and inspiring walk. The contrast between the beauty and the deteriorating stimulates the senses and brings the soul back in time.

The Adler Hotel

Tahawus Tract Mine (Abandoned Ghost town)

Beautiful late September trip through the Adirondack Mountains, upstate New York. The Tahawus Tract was an Iron mine that closed due to contamination of the raw iron being harvested. Originally Settled and blast furnace built in 1847, the town has been vacant for nearly 100 years. Only a few homes are still standing but in incredibly Bad shape. The epicenter of the community is the oldest structure...the massive Blast Furnace. Built of Adirondack Granite, it has stood the test of time. At 48' tall, this Goliath stands strong and true. This furnace consumed an acre of trees per day processing Iron. Water diverted from the Hudson River powered large pistons and compressed air for use as a "Bellow", forcing air into furnace. All in all was a beautiful walk through history.  You can read more about the Tract and history here...    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tahawus,_New_York

Blast Furnace

Abandoned Homes Tahawus Tract

Pump House

Engineered to push air charged pistons, compressing air through bellows into the blast furnace

Sharon Springs Set #2

On October 2nd, 2016 I made another walk through of Sharon Springs New York. From Satellite Imagry, I could see another abandoned Hotel within a mile of the Adler Hotel. Connecting the hotels was a badly deteriorated wooden walkway. Approximately 200 meters South I came across the ruins of the EMPIRE Hotel. Although appears to be in much better shape than the Adler, looks can be deceiving.  The building is secured although ground level windows were removed so entry would be quite easy. I NEVER enter abandoned buildings without permission hence the exterior shots only. Enjoy!