Abandoned Bowling Alley (HDR)

[rustyjaw]

Last weekend, I checked off one of the major unfulfilled wishes on my list of places I'd love to photograph. An abandoned bowling alley! This particular one was on a military base, rather small, but it was outfitted with what looks to me like very good equipment. All of it is Bruswick, from the scoring stands to the "pinsetter" equipment that scoops up and sets down the pins.

Judging by the stickers on the wall, the place closed in 1989, the earliest sticker was from 1981.

Here are the shots I've processed so far (all HDR).

http://www.rustyjaw.com/pics/wide.jpg

http://www.rustyjaw.com/pics/tally.jpg

http://www.rustyjaw.com/pics/hand-dryer.jpg

http://www.rustyjaw.com/pics/returns.jpg

http://www.rustyjaw.com/pics/smooth-stik.jpg
Just ¢40!

http://www.rustyjaw.com/pics/lane.jpg

http://www.rustyjaw.com/pics/seating.jpg

http://www.rustyjaw.com/pics/pinsetter.jpg

[DonJuanMair]

That last shot is great.
I think all in all the pictures are good, I think the pp let's them down, when I think of abandoned areas I think of moody places looking ominous and creepy. I don't feel that when I look at these. Everything seems to look too bright and happy. Apart from the last one, which works

[rustyjaw]

That last shot is great.
I think all in all the pictures are good, I think the pp let's them down, when I think of abandoned areas I think of moody places looking ominous and creepy. I don't feel that when I look at these. Everything seems to look too bright and happy. Apart from the last one, which works

Thanks for the comment.

I explore abandoments on a regular basis, and this was really quite a delightful place (except for the HUGE dead rat) compared to many places I visit, so maybe I'm letting that through in the shots. The bright blue of the equipment also lends itself to a certain cheeriness, IMO. In any event, it's not a look I'm shying away from here.

[johnaengus]

Great shots. The place has a truly retro look to it. What if your post processing had a little retro twist in the color?

[woodsj6]

I've always wanted to explore an abandoned place like this, but don't know of any in my area. I like the last 2 shots the most, very cool.

[Alec Trevelyan]

I love the first, last and penultimate photos. Good job :)

[ChasWG]

I hate it when the ball get lofted, and so did they obviously!
Nice set. I kind of agree with DonJuan, but I understand your point too. Maybe a slightly darker version is possible. The reason being is that I know that roof wasn't that bright to the human eye, so it looks a bit off. What was the light source for the roof, a strobe bounced in maybe?

[rustyjaw]

I've always wanted to explore an abandoned place like this, but don't know of any in my area. I like the last 2 shots the most, very cool.

I would wager there are places in your area (unless you live in a wilderness area). Every time I'm certain I've run out of places near me, I discover a new one.

EDIT: I just noticed you live in Mi. OMG, I have friends that have made pilgrimages to Michigan to photograph the staggering abandonments there! I may do so myself next year.

I hate it when the ball get lofted, and so did they obviously!
Nice set. I kind of agree with DonJuan, but I understand your point too. Maybe a slightly darker version is possible. The reason being is that I know that roof wasn't that bright to the human eye, so it looks a bit off. What was the light source for the roof, a strobe bounced in maybe?

Thanks for the post. It's all available light, there was one bright source through an open door to the right (facing the back), and then three windows at the very front of the alley. The orange light at the back was direct sunlight (reflected upward) coming in from a door (also open) behind the pinsetter machinery, which is also the source of light leaking in on the center lanes. So there was plenty of light and it was coming in from various directions. I think the shots are pretty close to representing the brightness as it was, they might be slightly lighter. The 3rd shot is probably the most off, in terms of being too bright.

The lighting wasn't ideal for shooting directly to the back, since so much of the light was coming in from directly behind me, it kind of flattens everything out.

[team haymaker]

those are some great shots. im a UE'er as well. i must say the shot with the close up on the hand dryer thing is my favorite. great set.
that is some relic machinery

[Pricey]

Maybe the staff went on strike?

----

Brilliant photos. It's as if people fled the place it it was left that way. I'd have to take a pin home with me though if there was one laying around.

/jealous.

[Merkin]

I love the third one for some reason, I like the all though. Nice set!

[photoguy6405]

Like them all, but the first and last really stand out to me.

[rustyjaw]

those are some great shots. im a UE'er as well. i must say the shot with the close up on the hand dryer thing is my favorite. great set.
that is some relic machinery

Maybe the staff went on strike?

I love the third one for some reason, I like the all though. Nice set!


Like them all, but the first and last really stand out to me.

Thanks for the commments everyone!

[Flo]

Such a waste of equipment isn't it?!?
This is a fabulous series of a day gone by.......I like them as is...the color was "in" and so was the decor.very "spacey" lol.....

[Tiger_993]

I really enjoyed this series, and #3 is my favorite...love it's use of DOF.

[prcrstn8]

Nice. Very weird overall effect, the decayed (faux futuristic) Brunswick equipment and the cheery lighting. Like 'em.

[Tee Why]

Very nicely stylized. HDR processing looks very natural. Wouldn't have thought it unless mentioned.

[wesworks]

i wish there was a place like this here, I'd love to find a place like this and rehab it and turn it into a night club.

[CaptainTonus]

Really cool series. Where was this located, exactly? We have an ongoing thread on here where people post pictures of abandoned places, check it out:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=442895

[chopper5654]

"Do Not Loft the Ball" makes me laugh.....like THAT will save these lanes. nice shots.

[fatclay]

Very cool!! I'm really enjoying looking at these style photographs at the moment, and would love to do some shoots like this myself!!

Nice series, well done!!

[digirebelva]

Sort of looks like a bowling alley I bowled in at Ft. Drum NY in the late 80's, had about the same number of lanes, cool;)

[KenVP]

Nice work, great eye. One question when doing photography in these old building do you only shoot buildings that are open or will you work to get yourself in their to take pics. Im not far from several major cities and would love to give this type of photography a try? Feel free to PM me if you dont want to put this info out there.

[Wyant50]

I am an avid bowler and I enjoyed these images!

[EveryMilesAMemory]

I like them all the felling they give, but agree that the last shot is dark, spooky and makes you look at it for awhile

This is a cool looking place you've found. I'd be sure to keep its location hidden or it wont stay this intack for too long from looters. I cant believe its still got all that equipment in there after 20 years of bowling ghosts