Outdoor Malls

So, empty parking lots and closed strip malls at night have always seemed foreboding and ominous to me, but the experience I had the other night takes the cake. It was about midnight and I was out photographing around the outlet's, near dutch wonderland. It was extremely windy and cold and to make matters worse I was listening to Phillip Glass's sound track to Dracula. I stopped at a strip mall to take these photograph's.

Copyright- Christopher Moss
After I had stopped and photographed the first set of mannequin's at the entrance of the outdoor mall I drove through the massive parking lot till I found this well lit scene. When I got out of my car I realized that the music was still blasting from the P.A. speakers and that the coin operated kids ride in front of one of the shop's was randomly turning on and making noise's of children laughing. To be honest I was quite freaked out! After a nervous 15 minutes of photography I got back into my car. As I was putting away my camera all the lights in the parking lot went out.

Sunday's

I love sundays, they have the quality of relaxation, self reflection and a general do nothingness about them. What I mean about nothingness is a bit over stated, I like doing what i want regardless of any agenda! Im getting into the habit of going out with my camera on sundays because over the years of photographing I find that the camera combined with active curiosity is the perfect drifters tool.

Copyright- Christopher Moss
This past sunday I ended up driving around and exploring place's in York, PA aimlessly going down any random road just to see where it would take me. Im sure Ill be back to photograph there soon!

Carl Gunhouse: Excerpts from "America"

"American society indulged its desires, the economy imploded, leaving us with empty homes in half-finished subdivisions near malls with the stores that are coming soon to sell merchandise affordable to fewer and fewer of us. The country is caught in suspended animation, littered with enticing ads, large car dealerships and lavish Las Vegas fountains, all the more desperate to attract whatever disposable income is still out there."

"Consumption has destroyed the American dream and the earnest assumption that an ideal life is guaranteed by hard work, a college degree and playing by the rules. Instead we are left with entry-level jobs, no opportunity for advancement, no benefits, inescapable debt, and the cold comfort that we avoided a Depression."

Acquainted with Night

I have been one acquainted with the night.
I have walked out in rain - and back in rain.
I have outwalked the furthest city light.
I have looked down the saddest city lane.
I have passed by the watchman on his beat
And dropped my eyes, unwilling to explain.

I have stood still and stopped the sound of feet
When far away an interrupted cry
Came over houses from another street,
But not to call me back or say good-bye;
And further still at an unearthly height,
One luminary clock against the sky

Proclaimed the time was neither wrong nor right.
I have been one acquainted with the night.

Images by~ Christopher Moss
Poem by~ Robert Frost

Never thought product photography would be fun....

Photographs+Inspiration = Good

Todd Hido- Great night photo's- inspiration for a new project perhaps.....

Joakim Eskildsen- Amazing use of color. Intimate photographs of gypsies throughout Europe.

John Davies- I think I have found a new favorite photographer!

Work and Play

I have been really busy doing photography and photography related events, which is of course a good thing! Between making prints, selling cameras, working in a studio or photo shopping images I have been pretty pressed for time to work on my own photography. I think night photography might help me with this issue since its the only time that I have to shoot anymore.... life's good.