Black and White and Castles.
Lately the answer is black and white. Thats the only way i want to process it and look at it. Okay...maybe ill save a color photograph here and there but lately its been rare. Over the last few months I’ve transitioned into a new film kick and maybe thats where this current black and white obsession had begun. Ive been photographing for years and during that course I never cared particularly to shoot in one way or another when it came to color and black and white. On a typical day i shot and thats all i worried about and would make the decision on which way it would be presented when i began processing the photos. As of late the color option of a photograph has been almost completely snubbed. I have shunned the option like Ghandi would shun food when he was pissed off about something and trying to make a point.
I am so entrenched in the look and satisfaction of black and white right now that i am making a book of a recent camping trip in all black and white. It would mark the first time in 4 years i made a book that was strictly black and white.
Mark and the trees; From the upcoming b&w series from my vacation.
A little over 3 weeks ago i moved into a new place with my wonderful woman named Alex. Before the move i photographed a lot while i was camping out on vacation. After that photography had hit a pause up until yesterday when Alex and i celebrated our 1 year anniversary by going to Bishops castle. It was Alex’s first time there and i was so excited to show her what it was all about and bust out some cameras. The castle was started originally as a cottage with no intention of a castle to be built at all. Jim Bishop, the creator of the so called ‘worlds biggest one man project’ had bought a plot of land for 450 dollars. He began to build a family cottage when at some point some person told him something. That person apparently said “Hey that looks like a castle” and apparently Jim agreed and thought it was cool enough to build a giant ass castle for the hell of it. I heard rumors that his son had worked on it with him and was killed during the making of it but as i looked it up today I cant find any truth to support that. Now i feel bad i told a Kansas couple yesterday that it happened. Anyways we took off to the castle located near Westcliffe Colorado close by to where we live. Nearby an 18,000 acre forest fire was still burning that had started a week ago. It was really cool watching it from a distance as we inched closer and closer.
One of the few colored photos of late. Headed to the castle with fires ahead
My cars been making odd whining noises and gets really tired and irritable on long drives. Before leaving the house i told Alex i would drive and i could sense just a hint of dubious doubt when she said “Okay...” As we reached the castle the car whined and i looked at Alex. She was undoing her seatbelt and i said “Babe...im sorry if i stranded us at Bishops Castle.” Not seeming worried she said its fine and we got out. I hopped out and took a camels piss that seemed to last 3 or 4 minutes. Alex patiently waited by the back of the vehicle while i urinated in the dirt near the front of my vehicle. We laughed as i joked if anyone comes driving by i can just turn my back, put my hands on my hips and pretend to marvel this massive castle when really im just pissing on the side of the road. Finally we left the tired vehicle and pile of dirt turned to mud behind and went in to check it out. “Babe this is so exciting!” Alex exclaimed. “We have to sign the guestbook” i told her.
We began to explore and Alex was shocked about the big room where weddings are held. By far my favorite room is this very room, equipped with a high ceiling, large windows that surround the West, East and South side and wood floors. I decided to call it the wedding floor since i have no idea if it has a name or not.
Alex sitting in the wedding floor;
One thing that is exhilarating about the castle is the fear you get climbing around on it. Its a man made castle and at times it really shows. Certain steps are made out of cheap looking metal with certain areas damaged and or loose. The castle is made to go pretty high so the higher you go the scarier it gets as you often wonder “am i going to be the first casualty at this castle?” As far as a scare scale it remains pretty low, i mean you really dont feel like death is about to take over, to me at least. That being said its still a sketchy situation at times. Word has it that both Jim and his wife have cancer and they are in a custody battle over the castle. Apparently the person they entrusted it to is trying to change the name of the castle and affiliate it with a religion he or she stands by. I hope this doesnt happen since Jim began the building of this castle 47 years ago as his very own project, something with his stamp all over it intended for the public built by nobody but himself. He accepts donations but never charges people to go in. You’ll see when you go there he is against many government rules and acts and is constantly building it for anyone's pleasure who feels like stopping by. Simply put...this dudes castle is his life and he doesn't seem to care about much else. A man and his castle. Now that is badass.
I had fun looking at all the intricate shadows and shapes aligned in the noon day sun. It added so much character and magnetism to its already breathless stature. I was so glad to have taken Alex there and im sure it wont be the last time we ever visit. I was thrilled to have taken her there for her first time ever seeing it. We sat together on top of some stairs for a while and basked in a blissful silence, occasionally being greeted by a breeze that stroked the trees we sat above. We made way back down the castle and approached my car. “Well. Here goes babe.” “What?” she said, looking confused then realizing the car might not start. I inserted the key and gave it a turn, the vehicle revved up and we looked at each other. What a perfect day after all i thought.
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