Topic: Beautifully boring pictures of typical American architecture

[Nigel]

Some lovely work here. I particularly like the writing on the General Laundry Building from New Orleans.

https://timeline.com/photos-beautifully-boring-architecture-808e902555af#.tjv3sydzb

[Late Developer]

Really interesting archive, Nigel.

If you click on the HABS link, there's a whole heap of stuff to view and, although these are intentionally "record shots", they really are quite wonderful in their own right.  I'd love to be able to go and see if these places still exists and, if so, do a "then and now" comparison....

[astrobeck]

The Kimo theater in Albuquerque is still alive and well...
As a fact, Paul, I chauffeured you and Lara by it on our little jaunt down Route 66 / Central Ave. a couple years ago when you were here...so you can check that box!   

[Bryan]

It may be boring but I think it's important to document from a historical perspective.  As a fan of mid century modern architecture I can't stand to see some of the old buildings torn down for some new building that looks like every other one in town.  At least they used to put more thought into the appearance of buildings. 

The photos from Seattle of the emergency exit and off ramp may be quite boring but those structures will be torn down in a few years.  The Alaska way viaduct and the Battery Street tunnel will be removed after they finish boring the tunnel that will replace them.  There was a movement to preserve part of the viaduct as a park, similar to the Highline park in New York city, but it doesn't sound like that will happen.  Probably because the next significant earthquake will likely knock it down anyhow. 

https://d262ilb51hltx0.cloudfront.net/max/600/1*2SC4efTbjxVnhqwwC2SRYQ.jpeg

https://d262ilb51hltx0.cloudfront.net/max/600/1*o86ldneX6B0m6RFwm4pGDw.jpeg

[jharr]

Are there still people roaming the country with large format cameras taking 'boring' photos for the government? It sounds like it would still need to be LF since they have prescribed methods for "how to correct for rectilinear distortion ". Though I guess a government drone could spend 8 hours a day doing it in PS.

[Late Developer]

The Kimo theater in Albuquerque is still alive and well...
As a fact, Paul, I chauffeured you and Lara by it on our little jaunt down Route 66 / Central Ave. a couple years ago when you were here...so you can check that box!   

Actually, Becky, I thought it was the same one but couldn't be 100% sure. Lara and I really liked Albuquerque (aside from the "other side of the tracks" bit that you made it clear we shouldn't visit after dark.  It was October 2013 when we were there and fantastic to meet you.  It was so kind of you to show us around.  Amazing to think it was 3 years ago.  Next time we come back, we'll try to make it when the hot air balloon festival is on and also head for the VLA.