 I live in Southern Alabama. By "southern," I mean only a 25-minute drive to the Florida border. My region is a "sub-tropical" zone, and we may see snowflakes once every five years, and that usually doesn't stick to the ground. Even a mild snowfall can shut everything down, as local governments don't invest in any snow or ice removal equipment beyond spreading sand on the bridges. So when the forecasts last week started hinting at a snow event, most of us shrugged and assumed it wouldn't happen. As the event drew closer, and the forecast models firmed up, it began to appear the Gulf South might actually get measurable snow starting Tuesday afternoon. On Monday, the expected school and government closure notices were issued. Government offices told their workers to go home early on Tuesday. Social media was aflutter with people asking if certain grocery stores or Walmart would remain open. By Monday morning, the weathermen began to speak in terms of "historic." The forecast models began to move the dial from 1-3 inches to 2-5 inches of accumulation. This was going to happen; it was only a matter of how big and how widespread the winter storm would be. By 11 a.m. on Tuesday, a thin wintery mix peppered the asphalt. The wind suddenly swirled out of the north with an unfamiliar icy bite. The thermometer began dropping at noon. I'd felt this kind of weather shift before, but in places like Omaha and Michigan, not Deep Dixie. We get hurricanes and heat waves, not blizzards. Yet, a blizzard is what we got. The snow began in earnest about 1:30 p.m. It didn't stop until almost 9 p.m. Snowfall records were shattered across the entire length of the Gulf Coast, including where I live. I measured 9 inches at my house when all was said and done. I wanted to hop in my truck and take photos all over my town. I knew that would be a bad idea. Roads quickly became treacherous and remain iced-over three days later. I settled for walking through the nearby neighborhoods and getting what shots I could. One set of images is primarily black and white and were taken during the storm, about 3 p.m. The other set was taken about 24 hours later and are in color. We were fortunate. The ice storms missed us. The power didn't go out. I didn't have to drive in it. It's Thursday morning and I don't have to go into work. With all that said, a bit of magic came into our lives down here in the Wiregrass. I'm thankful for that magic, for the rare natural beauty and the few days my wife and I could spend together, alone, and in peace. The past few days were a gem in time. The Wiregrass will likely never see this magnitude of snowfall in my lifetime. I felt it was important to capture it the best I could. For my northern friends who will look at the images and shrug and say "So what?", please try to keep in mind our perspective. Regardless, I hope you enjoy the images.                
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I'm still roaming the Wiregrass looking for the abandoned, derelict, forgotten and just plain interesting. These Henry County derelict gas pumps have survived the gas station itself. Other than the pumps, only a skeletal roadside remains. I didn't have long to capture these images, as a bad storm was bearing down on me. The lightning barrage to my north was too close for comfort considering all the tall metal surrounding me, so I took a few shots and got back in the truck. I've added this location my large and growing list of Wiregrass potential photography locations. I will revisit this place, as I think it has potential for other shots under different lighting and conditions.  
 Bryan Kirschner of "Grizzly Customs" Bryan Kirschner, the proprietor of "Grizzly Customs," has reached out to me multiple times over the past three years, requesting my photography services to capture his unique custom creations. Originating from California, Bryan infuses the Wiregrass area with a distinctive West Coast flair through his extraordinary custom bikes, which can be described as true works of art on two wheels. Naturally, I was thrilled when he recently contacted me again. However, this time around, things were different. Grizzly Customs, Bryan's business, is undergoing significant changes. He has made the decision to close down his current establishment and shift away from the realm of basic motorcycle repairs. Instead, he will be dedicating his efforts solely to crafting the art of custom motorcycles. According to Bryan, this particular aspect of the business is where his true inspiration lies, and it is where he intends to concentrate his focus. When he asked me to document the final two motorcycles to be created at the Andrews Avenue location in Ozark, I gladly accepted the opportunity. Without further ado, I present to you a collection of images from my recent session at Grizzly Customs. Sit back, relax, and enjoy!      Here are some images of previous shoots for Grizzly Customs.   
 The Space Needle as seen from Chihuly Gardens. Vacation is over, back to work. I'm back home from a week in Seattle. It was my first visit to that town, and it was an overall pleasant experience. My wife has a business trip, and my daughter and I tagged along. Of course, I brought my camera. A few impressions of Seattle:  1. Not as crime-ridden and overrun with homeless drug users as the media makes it out to be. I saw a few makeshift tents and the drug users were there, but mostly concentrated in a few spots. Overall, the streets were clean and safe with a strong police presence. Panhandlers weren't any worse than most American cities. In terms of homelessness, Seattle didn't compare to what I saw in California last year. 2. People were generally friendly. Maybe that was because everyone was high - everywhere you go smells like skunk-weed. 3. Everything is expensive. 4. Seattle is an international city. I heard so many different languages. 5. Great food. 6. Great art, and we only scratched the surface. 7. It's a photographer's paradise. I had so much to shoot, and so little time to do it. I could have stayed another week.  The Market.  Gray Whale off the coast of Everett, Washington.  Sunset over the Puget Sound. Gotta go now, check back on my Facebook for more images over the next week.  "Mother and Child On Shore 1" 2019. I'm proud to announce my latest photo galleries are now open. "I Love The Coasts" are three collections of images from America's three coastlines - the Atlantic, the Pacific, and of course, the Gulf Coast. Every photographer knows the shore is a magical place, but the Gulf Coast holds the most magic for me. I consider it as much my home as the Wiregrass. The Gulf Coast possesses a unique beauty that sets it apart from America's oceanic coastlines. Maybe it's the sugar white beaches that line the shores from Pensacola to Mexico Beach. Maybe its the blue-green waters and gentle surf that sparkle like a jewel on a summer day. The Atlantic faces the sunrise, the Pacific faces the sunset, but along the Gulf the sun rises and sets where sand meets the surf. This collection's 33 images were created over seven years, and includes photos from Mobile Bay to Panama City Beach. The great part is I am still adding to it! So sit back, relax, dream of summer and browse the Gulf Coast Gallery. If you enjoyed this blog, please like the post and leave a comment or if you're feeling brave, share it on social media. This platform is my entire advertising budget and is how I share the word on my books. Also visit my Facebook, my author page and check out my photography book from America Through Time, "Abandoned Wiregrass: The Deepest South's Lost and Forgotten Places." Autographed paperback copy of "Abandoned Wiregrass"
$24.99
Get "Abandoned Wiregrass: The Deepest South’s Lost and Forgotten Places" signed by the author! Welcome to the Wiregrass, a place where abandoned doesn't always mean vacant, and vacant doesn't always mean empty. Nestled between Florida's sugar-white beaches and the agriculturally rich Black Belt, there exists a land of endless peanut fields and high cotton. This is the deepest of the Deep South, Dixie's last stand before accents and culture take on a decidedly Northern flavor along the Gulf Coast and Florida Peninsula. Narrow asphalt ribbons wind through this region's pine forests, passing through small farming communities that are fighting for survival in the global economy. The lingering aftershocks of the 2008 economic crisis and 2018's Hurricane Michael still reverberate here. These pressures, along with an aging and declining population, have created a region where abandoned buildings are commonplace. These forgotten structures speak of dreams lost; from crumbling sharecropper shacks, to desolate main streets, to modern homes where the owners simply moved on. Take a journey with award-winning author and photographer Brian Braden as he chronicles the slow-motion apocalypse of abandoned homes and businesses of the Wiregrass and also discovers a place of hope and transition, where citizens fight to revitalize their hometowns and preserve a rich cultural heritage. Allow 1-2 weeks for delivery. "Chronicles of Fu Xi: Three Book Set" signed by author.
$55.00
Get all three paperback novels signed by the author! Set in the long-forgotten period of ancient history known as "The Younger Dryas," THE CHRONICLES OF FU XI transforms recently re-discovered Black Sea legends, possibly the root of all Eurasian mythology, with ancient Chinese mythology to create an unprecedented epic fantasy series. Allow 1-2 weeks for delivery.  I've always known it to be there for as long as I can remember, but I have no idea when it was constructed, who the builder was, or when it shut down. I have a faint recollection of a time when the roadside market, flea market, or tourist trap was in business, but my memories are vague. Over the years, it appeared to be deteriorating more and more, eventually becoming a dilapidated roadside ruin. It was a point of interest, perhaps only deserving a brief glance from motorists zooming along US 231 in Pike County. Unfortunately, a significant portion of Pike Pioneer Village has now been destroyed, and it's gone forever. On Friday, April 7th, 2023, a massive fire ravaged Pioneer Village, located along US 231 just north of Troy, Alabama. The fire destroyed a substantial portion of the abandoned complex, which consisted of cabins and storefronts designed to resemble a 19th-century pioneer settlement. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.  Image: WFSA News Several years prior to beginning work on my book, "Abandoned Wiregrass," I happened to pass by Pioneer Village on my way home from another location. On a whim, I decided to stop and take some photographs. I snapped a few pictures of the main gate and a firetruck located along the right-of-way. The produce stand situated at the front of the property still had goods on the shelves, giving the impression that it had been in business recently. The grass inside the main gate appeared to have been mowed in the past few weeks (it was a rainy July, and grass in the southern states grows quickly). As the property wasn't marked with any signs or fenced off, I naturally assumed that some of the buildings within the complex may have reopened for business. So, I wandered into the main courtyard, hoping to find somebody around or some of the storefronts renovated with hours of operation displayed. Regrettably, after surveying the area and taking some photos, it became clear that the complex hadn't reopened. With this realization, I climbed back into my truck and continued on my way. Over the years, the Pioneer Village complex deteriorated further and further due to neglect. Despite my intention to return to the site and my attempts to identify the property owner, I was unable to do so. Each time I drove by, I wondered if someone would eventually take on the task of restoring and reopening the place. Pioneer Village was just one of many abandoned locations along the US 231 highway between Troy and Montgomery, reflecting the economic stagnation of this corridor Whenever I drive along the US 231 between Troy and Montgomery, I can't help but notice numerous places that I wish someone would restore and reopen. Despite being a busy four-lane highway, economic development along the Troy-Montgomery corridor appears to have stagnated since 1985, or perhaps even worsened. Several years ago, the State of Alabama made the decision to close down the only rest areas along this 40-mile stretch of highway, and things have only gone downhill from there. Finding a gas station in this area has become increasingly difficult since the turn of the century. Unless you venture closer to either Troy or Montgomery, it's rare to come across any modern development. The Sikes and Kohns outlet store located in Pine Level, roughly halfway between the two cities, seems to be the only exception to the economic stagnation that plagues this corridor. Despite its decline, I believe that Pioneer Village had become a landmark in Pike County. When driving southbound from Montgomery, the ruin signaled the end of the long journey to Troy and the start of the availability of gas stations, restaurants, and restrooms. Sadly, like many abandoned structures I've photographed over the years, Pioneer Village is now gone forever. Another landmark and piece of local heritage have vanished. While it may have been considered an eyesore by some, I can't help feeling a little sad. Pioneer Village once paid homage to Alabama's pioneer history and, as time passed, it became a part of that history. Any potential it once had for restoration will now never be realized, and it is simply another ruin on the long, tedious drive from one place to another. A lost opportunity. On that summer day, I found Pioneer Village hauntingly beautiful, a place with potential that deserved my time and attention. The soft light, sultry air, and humid conditions made for a perfect Alabama summer evening. I'm glad I listened to my gut and took those photos. In the years since, I've published four of the roadside images in my book, "Abandoned Wiregrass," while keeping the rest private until now. Now that much of Pioneer Village has been destroyed, I've decided to share the previously unpublished images as a historical record with the public. If you have memories of when it was open, knowledge of its history, interesting photos to share, or personal experiences about the place, please feel free to share them in the comments. (All images and material Copyright © 2023 Brian L. Braden Photography and Creative Arts. All rights reserved.) If you enjoyed this blog, please like the post and leave a comment or if you're feeling brave, share it on social media. This platform is my entire advertising budget and is how I share the word on my books. Also visit my Facebook, my author page and check out my photography book from America Through Time, "Abandoned Wiregrass: The Deepest South's Lost and Forgotten Places." This is my favorite part of spring (or late winter), when its new and raw and can't quite push winter out of the way. The sky still wants to stay angry, but the earth wants to kiss and make up. I like to take candid shots of their conversations. This is Talladega County in Alabama. It's one of the most beautiful counties in my state, and a place I visit often. Enjoy.      If you enjoyed this blog, please like the post and leave a comment or if you're feeling brave, share it on social media. This platform is my entire advertising budget and is how I share the word on my books. Also visit my Facebook, my author page and check out my photography book from America Through Time, "Abandoned Wiregrass: The Deepest South's Lost and Forgotten Places."
 The house rested downslope from a rural Alabama state road on a rather steep piece of property. I pulled over, looked at it from a few angles, and then almost didn't take any images. From a photography perspective the structure was uninteresting. Maybe it would get better at the Golden Hour, but probably not. In my opinion, there is nothing notable about these images. The light is summertime high noon. If it conjures any feelings, it's those of Alabama heat and discomfort. I couldn't get any closer than the roadside (these are at full 300mm zoom), so the angles are rather mundane. Meh.
I took the images anyway, and then resumed my journey. I edited them that night, and then forgot about them. I've never displayed these photographs before. Looking back, I think these are notable images just for the subject matter alone. From the outside, it's a good house. It is heavily overgrown, but mostly fast-growing vines. It's been perhaps two or three seasons since the neglect began. Yet, it is apparently salvageable. The roof looks good. A satellite dish adorns each corner, giving clues to when it was inhabited. There is a story here. If you recognize this house, please don't leave a comment about who it belongs to or the story behind it or where it is because these stories are seldom happy. None of that is really important. What matters is that it is empty, and there are so many like it, and no one seems to be paying attention. There are way too many houses like this, fairly modern and functional homes, along the South's backroads and rural highways. They are everywhere. Everywhere. I see more and more each year. This is why these mundane images of an abandoned house in the middle of deep rural South Alabama are so important. This isn't right and it hasn't always been this way. Start paying attention and you'll see them, too. Modern homes. Good homes. All abandoned, all in plain sight. Then you won't be able to stop seeing them.  If you enjoyed this blog, please like the post and leave a comment or if you're feeling brave, share it on social media. This platform is my entire advertising budget and is how I share the word on my books. Also visit my Facebook, my author page and check out my photography book from America Through Time, "Abandoned Wiregrass: The Deepest South's Lost and Forgotten Places."
I met Adam Kamerer at a book signing last year, and later discovered his poetry. I'm not an expert on poetry, but I recognize talent when I read it. While I was browsing Adam's poetry website, I came across this poem. "Feraling" conjured images and feelings from my visit to the Aracata Forest in Northern California a few years ago. I asked Adam if I could combine his poetry with my images, and he graciously agreed. I hope you enjoy this poem as much as I did. Please click over and visit Adam's website for more poetry. Feraling.
I hope you enjoyed Adam's work. I want to highlight other local artists and writers in the coming year. If you are a Wiregrass area author, artist or photographer and would like to collaborate or have your work showcased on The Illusion Exotic, please contact me.  If you enjoyed this blog, please like the post and leave a comment or if you're feeling brave, share it on social media. This platform is my entire advertising budget and is how I share the word on my books.
 Go Wildcats! I bet you thought I had stopped doing Photo Phridays. You were right, I had. But now it's back. I'm taking fewer photos than I did a year ago. It's not intentional, its simply a matter of time and opportunity. One such time and opportunity was last fall's Enterprise High School football season. I brought along my little T5 Rebel and the kit 300mm lens just for fun to a few games (and to take pics of my daughter in band!) I've got to say upfront, I'm not a sports photographer. Not even close. I don't have the right gear, the right experience or the right access. However, I thought my little Rebel did pretty good capturing what action I could see from the cheap seats. What lessons did I learn from the experience? Its a good idea to have a good low-light camera. Mine isn't. If you are jacking up the ISO and have a digital zoom, you're going to have grainy images. This matters, too, for shutter speed. I struggled to keep it above 1/200s, but with a cropped sensor, that was difficult. Anything below that and I ran the risk of blurring. 400mm zoom or better is a must with a pole mount if you're serious (I'm not). Sideline access is better, but there was something to be said about the perspective from the stands. If you are going to be high up, sit somewhere so people ahead of you don't block your view. Lessons aside, taking these was fun. If you're one of my local friends, then you are familiar with the excellent sports and music program at Enterprise High School. Its one of the best in the state! Here's some shots of the 2022-23 Enterprise Alabama Wildcats Football and Big Blue Marching Band season. Enjoy! #enterprisealabama #wildcats #bigbluemarchingband #EHS #enterprisehighschool #sportsphotography #highschoolfootball #fridaynightlights  If you enjoyed this blog, please like the post and leave a comment or if you're feeling brave, share it on social media. This platform is my entire advertising budget and is how I share the word on my books. Also visit my Facebook, my author page and check out my photography book from America Through Time, "Abandoned Wiregrass: The Deepest South's Lost and Forgotten Places."
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