Abandoned Bowling Alley (HDR)

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).

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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

DonJuanMair wrote in post #8920469
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.

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

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 love the first, last and penultimate photos. Good job

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?

woodsj6 wrote in post #8921244
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.

ChasWG wrote in post #8924134
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.

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?

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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.

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.

team haymaker wrote in post #8926285
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 wrote in post #8927294
Maybe the staff went on strike?

Merkin wrote in post #8927310
I love the third one for some reason, I like the all though. Nice set!

photoguy6405 wrote in post #8933164
Like them all, but the first and last really stand out to me.

Thanks for the commments everyone!

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.....

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