The Traveling Yashica: Bryan Tyler, Kentucky

Hello, I’m Brian Tyler from Louisville, Kentucky. Also known as the guy that lost the Yashica for almost a whole month. First of all, I would like to send my utmost apologies to everyone in the Traveling Yashica program.

To make matters worse, when I was finally united with the Yashica the weather was terrible. My original plan was to take it along Route 66, as my wife and I were taking our anniversary to Branson, Missouri. I was really excited about that! Chicago, Springfield, St. Louis. . .the possibilities seemed endless.
Nonetheless, it didn’t happen. The transition between Winter and Spring in Kentucky is a mixed bag of grey, rain, snow, and blah. I didn’t know what to do, especially with using an unfamiliar camera. As photographers, we know that when we want to take time with a roll of film, the weather isn’t nice when we are out, but it is always nice when we are working.
I finally took some time between Interpreting at a local College in Southern Indiana to explore the countryside. Found some Railroad and some rocks. Grasping at straws for something, anything to shoot. Finally the clouds lifted and sunny Spring days arrived. There was an Outdoor Flea Market that had a variety of people, colors and stuff. I thought the spiders were cool. They were made of jewel and wire.
At the Flea Market I tried some of the suggestions that I read from some Street Photographers about asking first and explaining what you are doing with the camera, why you want to take photos. Really engaging with the people that you meet along the way. That is something that I know I need to work on. I was kind of intimidated because the husband of the spider-maker was pretty gruff. I will go back next month and hopefully see them there, offer a picture of their wares, and purchase two of them to show appreciation.
Then I thought about what is Kentucky, and what is Louisville, as many reading this blog may never have visited, or have simply passed through. Duh! Churchill Downs! Its almost Derby Time here so they were doing a lot of construction.
Finally, Six Flags in Kentucky was a short lived experience as they were sued and went bankrupt because a little girl had her feet sliced off when a cable broke loose from one of the attractions. After sitting rusting and overgrowing for four years, there have been efforts the last two years to reopen the park. I was able to walk in and catch some of the outskirts and repolishing of the park.
Finally, a little of my childhood on the last shot was the Lady Waiting. My father would always find weird places and things in his driving around for work. This is one I constantly go to and show people on their first visit to Kentucky and Southern Indiana. Behind her is a set of scales. One says “Love”, and below, “Never Enough”. On the other side, “War”, “Always too Much”. All made of scrap metal. A little PSA for the world.

Thanks for coming with me on this grey journey through Louisville and Southern Indiana. Thank you also for your patience. I formally apologize again for the United States Postal Service. Happy Shooting, and keep both eyes open!

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