Roadblockers' Bullhorn
Date: 09/18/2008
35mm film scan - Fuji Velvia 100
This was the first time during the trip that I even took my camera out, and I think it was Thursday (we got there Monday morning).
Our fun camp-neighbors-right-behind-us set up the "Road Block Bar," barricading across the camp street, and stopping camp
travelers with calls of "STOP RIGHT THERE! This road is way too unsafe to continue sober! You must proceed to the bar for a drink
and get certified before moving on!" Then they would give everyone a drink, and ink-stamp them with the Road Block Bar logo.
We got put into authority as well: they gave us official Roadblockers' bandannas, and we helped maintain "order" for the duration
of the party.
Roadblocker Scorch
Date: 09/18/2008
35mm film scan - Fuji Velvia 100
This was the first time during the trip that I even took my camera out, and I think it was Thursday (we got there Monday morning).
This is Scorch, one of our very friendly camp neighbors, who also had some experience with flame effects. Hence the nickname.
Our fun camp-neighbors-right-behind-us set up the "Road Block Bar," barricading across the camp street, and stopping camp
travelers with calls of "STOP RIGHT THERE! This road is way too unsafe to continue sober! You must proceed to the bar for a drink
and get certified before moving on!" Then they would give everyone a drink, and ink-stamp them with the Road Block Bar logo.
We got put into authority as well: they gave us official Roadblockers' bandannas, and we helped maintain "order" for the duration
of the party.
Roadblocker Water Truck
Date: 09/18/2008
35mm film scan - Fuji Velvia 100
This was the first time during the trip that I even took my camera out, and I think it was Thursday (we got there Monday morning).
Our fun camp-neighbors-right-behind-us set up the "Road Block Bar," barricading across the camp street, and stopping camp
travelers with calls of "STOP RIGHT THERE! This road is way too unsafe to continue sober! You must proceed to the bar for a drink
and get certified before moving on!" Then they would give everyone a drink, and ink-stamp them with the Road Block Bar logo.
We got put into authority as well: they gave us official Roadblockers' bandannas, and we helped maintain "order" for the duration
of the party. This included moving the bar setup out of the way of the water trucks, but pressing drinks upon them, or at least upon
the non-driving members of the crews.
In the foreground, there's the back of Adam, complete with Roadblocker bandanna and cigar, cheering on the handing of drinks to the
guys in the truck.
What's a Guy to Do??
Date: 09/18/2008
35mm film scan - Fuji Velvia 100
Enforcer Adam at the Road Block Bar party held by our camp neighbors. Noteworthy wardrobe features include Road Block Bar
bandanna, cigar, dust-protective goggles, and canteen cup to keep filled and make sure he himself followed the letter of the law!
Adam really took this role to heart, and does a great authoritative "STOP RIGHT THERE!" which he put to good public service,
shepherding many a camp traveler straight up to the bar for a drink.
Sunset Fire Group
Date: 09/18/2008
35mm film scan - Fuji Velvia 100
I'm pretty sure this was on Thursday evening, right after the Road Block Bar party and the evening's sunset tequila shots. We
headed out beyond the perimeter of the camp ring with the fire gear and photo lights, to have some of our flamethrower fun.
At left is Spyke, with two girls we invited from a closeby camp, Amanda and Sarah. Matthew is kneeling at right, and Adam is
furthest away, getting ready to fire up the flamethrower "pistol."
Just a Little Fire
Date: 09/18/2008
35mm film scan - Fuji Velvia 100
Adam with the "pistol" flamethrower he built in camp that afternoon after my request for a "handgun" style thrower. This was
deemed to be about as small as it could be built while keeping the fire a safe distance from the operator's hands. I can totally
see a bunch of us walking around with the likes of these holstered at our belts though!
Please note: Flamethrowers are incredibly fun, and playing with fire, as we all know, is dangerous. While it may not be apparent
in the images, safety precautions were being carefully observed. Anyone depicted in these images handling a flamethrower solo
has been through extensive fire effects safety training. Anyone without this training is seen with a trained spotter immediately at
his or her side.
Next in Line
Date: 09/18/2008
35mm film scan - Fuji Velvia 100
Adam demonstrating the operation of the "pistol" flamethrower, before handing it off to a new friend for a try.
As we walked around the playa and chatted with people, we would mention here and there that we would be heading out
around sunset to shoot some flamethrowers, and where to find us if anyone wanted to see it or try it. A few people followed
up, and a few more saw us in action and came to check it out, finding themselves invited into something that is probably for
most people a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Please note: Flamethrowers are incredibly fun, and playing with fire, as we all know, is dangerous. While it may not be apparent
in the images, safety precautions were being carefully observed. Anyone depicted in these images handling a flamethrower solo
has been through extensive fire effects safety training. Anyone without this training is seen with a trained spotter immediately at
his or her side.
Fire Serpent at Sunset
Date: 09/18/2008
35mm film scan - Fuji Velvia 100
Adam spots a new-met friend in the operation of the "pistol" flamethrower.
As we walked around the playa and chatted with people, we would mention here and there that we would be heading out
around sunset to shoot some flamethrowers, and where to find us if anyone wanted to see it or try it. A few people followed
up, and a few more saw us in action and came to check it out, finding themselves invited into something that is probably for
most people a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
It's hard to take a good photo of a fire. In this image, the people are pretty dark because I exposed the photo more for the
bright light of the flame itself. I wasn't set up to shoot the fire in true full detail, but even here you can just begin to see some
of the individual little tendrils of flame, and one of the creatures that resides within living fire.
Please note: Flamethrowers are incredibly fun, and playing with fire, as we all know, is dangerous. While it may not be apparent
in the images, safety precautions were being carefully observed. Anyone depicted in these images handling a flamethrower solo
has been through extensive fire effects safety training. Anyone without this training is seen with a trained spotter immediately at
his or her side.
Sunset Fireball
Date: 09/18/2008
35mm film scan - Fuji Velvia 100
Adam spots a new-met friend in the operation of the "pistol" flamethrower.
As we walked around the playa and chatted with people, we would mention here and there that we would be heading out
around sunset to shoot some flamethrowers, and where to find us if anyone wanted to see it or try it. A few people followed
up, and a few more saw us in action and came to check it out, finding themselves invited into something that is probably for
most people a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
It's hard to take a good photo of a fire. In this image, the people are pretty dark because I exposed the photo more for the
bright light of the flame itself. I wasn't set up to shoot the fire in true full detail, but even here you can just begin to see some
of the individual little tendrils of flame coming off the gun.
Please note: Flamethrowers are incredibly fun, and playing with fire, as we all know, is dangerous. While it may not be apparent
in the images, safety precautions were being carefully observed. Anyone depicted in these images handling a flamethrower solo
has been through extensive fire effects safety training. Anyone without this training is seen with a trained spotter immediately at
his or her side.
Lights Her Up
Date: 09/20/2008
35mm film scan - Fuji Velvia 100
Adam spotting the operation of the "pistol" flamethrower. Rosie's face is lit up not only by the fire, but the adrenaline of the
experience!
Please note: Flamethrowers are incredibly fun, and playing with fire, as we all know, is dangerous. While it may not be apparent
in the images, safety precautions were being carefully observed. Anyone depicted in these images handling a flamethrower solo
has been through extensive fire effects safety training. Anyone without this training is seen with a trained spotter immediately at
his or her side.
It Fires Back
Date: 09/18/2008
35mm film scan - Fuji Velvia 100
As sunset darkens, Adam takes another turn with the flamethrower.
There seem to be two creatures in this flame: a big dragon head on a long neck, and simultaneously, a strange little face breathing
the fire right back at Adam.
Please note: Flamethrowers are incredibly fun, and playing with fire, as we all know, is dangerous. While it may not be apparent
in the images, safety precautions were being carefully observed. Anyone depicted in these images handling a flamethrower solo
has been through extensive fire effects safety training. Anyone without this training is seen with a trained spotter immediately at
his or her side.
Sunset Fireburst
Date: 09/18/2008
35mm film scan - Fuji Velvia 100
Adam with the "pistol" flamethrower, showing a pretty good range out of the "little" gun.
Please note: Flamethrowers are incredibly fun, and playing with fire, as we all know, is dangerous. While it may not be apparent
in the images, safety precautions were being carefully observed. Anyone depicted in these images handling a flamethrower solo
has been through extensive fire effects safety training. Anyone without this training is seen with a trained spotter immediately at
his or her side.
Fireball Fun
Date: 09/18/2008
35mm film scan - Fuji Velvia 100
Another fireball off the shoulder launcher, and another grin just as bright as the flame.
Please note: Flamethrowers are incredibly fun, and playing with fire, as we all know, is dangerous. While it may not be apparent
in the images, safety precautions were being carefully observed. Anyone depicted in these images handling a flamethrower solo
has been through extensive fire effects safety training. Anyone without this training is seen with a trained spotter immediately at
his or her side.
Straddling the Fire Stick
Date: 09/18/2008
35mm film scan - Fuji Velvia 100
Hourglass, straddling the long fire stick. The look on her face seems to indicate that the device intended as a shoulder launcher
is highly effective in this position as well.
Please note: Flamethrowers are incredibly fun, and playing with fire, as we all know, is dangerous. While it may not be apparent
in the images, safety precautions were being carefully observed. Anyone depicted in these images handling a flamethrower solo
has been through extensive fire effects safety training. Anyone without this training is seen with a trained spotter immediately at
his or her side.
Fire Spyke
Date: 09/18/2008
35mm film scan - Fuji Velvia 100
Spyke shooting off the shoulder launcher.
Please note: Flamethrowers are incredibly fun, and playing with fire, as we all know, is dangerous. While it may not be apparent
in the images, safety precautions were being carefully observed. Anyone depicted in these images handling a flamethrower solo
has been through extensive fire effects safety training. Anyone without this training is seen with a trained spotter immediately at
his or her side.
DJ's Double Burst
Date: 09/18/2008
35mm film scan - Fuji Velvia 100
This is Hourglass' dad, DJ, showing the very impressive range of the shoulder launcher.
It's gotta be great to be able to go to Burning Man with your dad and still have both of you running around nearly to completely
naked! Wait, he's not naked, he's got a g-string and a Road Block Bar bandanna - both heads covered!
Please note: Flamethrowers are incredibly fun, and playing with fire, as we all know, is dangerous. While it may not be apparent
in the images, safety precautions were being carefully observed. Anyone depicted in these images handling a flamethrower solo
has been through extensive fire effects safety training. Anyone without this training is seen with a trained spotter immediately at
his or her side.
Rosie Pose
Date: 09/18/2008
35mm film scan - Fuji Velvia 100
I think Matthew was posing Rosie for a few shots, and I jumped in for a few as well.
Small Crane
Date: 09/18/2008
35mm film scan - Fuji Velvia 100
One of the "outbirdlings" (outbuildings) around the origami-styled crane temple.
I think it was Friday that I went out wandering the playa alone with my camera, in what turned out to be almost an
entire day of full whiteout.
The hazy atmosphere is the dust in the air - this was around late morning, and it wasn't full whiteout yet.
Crane Temple
Date: 09/18/2008
35mm film scan - Fuji Velvia 100
The Crane Temple. An origami-styled memorial temple, secondary to the big Basura Sagrada temple. They had origami
paper here for people to fold paper cranes, but I don't know how, and there was no one to demonstrate. So I just wrote a
tiny message on one of the wood posts (it's meant for that, I was not defacing), to my departed loved ones from the Crane
family.
You can see the firepit shape of the temple's base, and they did indeed burn this temple as well on Sunday night.
I think it was Friday that I went out wandering the playa alone with my camera, in what turned out to be almost an entire
day of full whiteout. The hazy atmosphere is the dust in the air, but you can still see a lot of blue sky in this shot. It was
late morning or so at this point, and we weren't in full whiteout yet, just fluctuating rapidly back and forth between almost
clear and almost blind conditions.
Laugh, Live, Love
Date: 09/18/2008
35mm film scan - Fuji Velvia 100
Some people wrote messages on the fabric wrappings of the pillars of the Crane Temple. This message spanned across two pieces
of fabric, but the other piece had the wind blowing across it, and I couldn't hold it open flat enough to take a picture.
The whole message was, "laugh to tears, live to tears, love to tears," and I felt a tie to the words, so I took this photo of the part
that I could.
Mask Temple
Date: 09/20/2008
35mm film scan - Fuji Velvia 100
I loved this little "mask temple," as I took to calling it, for its shape and for the brilliant colors in the masks of the creatures
crawling its pillars.
This isn't all that interesting a shot of it, not my favorite at all, but I wanted to show the structure as a whole, and how
the 5 pillars are connected across the top to form a star.
I also didn't have the best light to shoot the details of the masks, and would have had to come back at a different time of day
with light at a different angle for that. But, I wasn't concentrating on my photography all that much this trip, much more just
"taking pictures," and I didn't take the time to do that. I'm still happy with the shots I brought back, from the standpoint of
remembering a piece of art I enjoyed seeing in person.
Eagle Mask
Date: 09/20/2008
35mm film scan - Fuji Velvia 100
Eagle mask closeup, from the "mask temple" structure. I loved this art installation for its shape and for the brilliant colors
in the masks of the creatures crawling its pillars.
I didn't have the best light to shoot the details of the masks, and would have had to come back at a different time of day
with light at a different angle for that. But, I wasn't concentrating on my photography all that much this trip, much more
just "taking pictures," and I didn't take the time to do that. I'm still happy with the shots I brought back, from the standpoint
of remembering a piece of art I enjoyed seeing in person.
Lizard Mask
Date: 09/20/2008
35mm film scan - Fuji Velvia 100
Lizard mask closeup, from the "mask temple" structure. I loved this art installation for its shape and for the brilliant colors
in the masks of the creatures crawling its pillars.
I didn't have the best light to shoot the details of the masks, and would have had to come back at a different time of day
with light at a different angle for that. But, I wasn't concentrating on my photography all that much this trip, much more
just "taking pictures," and I didn't take the time to do that. I'm still happy with the shots I brought back, from the standpoint
of remembering a piece of art I enjoyed seeing in person.
Date: 09/20/2008
35mm film scan - Fuji Velvia 100
I loved this little "mask temple," as I took to calling it, for its shape and for the brilliant colors in the masks of the creatures
crawling its pillars.
This is probably my favorite photo I shot of it, compositionally and for being able to see several of the art elements in one
frame, even though it doesn't show very much about the nature and shape of the overall structure.
Percussion Junction
Date: 09/20/2008
35mm film scan - Fuji Velvia 100
This structure is made entirely of drums, pots and pans, and many other objects that clang, thump, or resonate when struck! It's a
giant percussion ensemble, just waiting for people to come by and play it, drum circle style. There are handy buckets containing an
assortment of sticks and mallets, and plenty of drums that respond to the hands just fine too. I joined into drumming for a while
before taking this shot.
Eyefull Tower
Date: 09/20/2008
35mm film scan - Fuji Velvia 100
A seven-story metal climbing structure, with a "throne" in the crown at the very top. I only climbed up to the top of the base ring.
People were swinging monkey-bars style around the arches, and hanging naked from the upper levels, even in the high winds.
Eyefull Abstract 1
Date: 09/20/2008
35mm film scan - Fuji Velvia 100
Standing atop the base ring of the structure, I shot across its space for some interesting abstract effects. I chose a moderate depth
of field for a little bit of distinction between near and far structural elements.
Eyefull Abstract 2
Date: 09/20/2008
35mm film scan - Fuji Velvia 100
Standing atop the base ring of the structure, I shot into its space for some interesting abstract effects.
Pagoda in the Clouds
Date: 09/20/2008
35mm film scan - Fuji Velvia 100
This is the upper level of a two-story pagoda. I found it eye-catching for its brilliant white, and for the scrollwork ornaments
in the forms of birds and dragons. I love the double-bird finial at top.
The structure isn't really tall enough to be in the clouds - it's actually another round of the whiteout storm swirling upward,
before the dust storm overtook the day completely, probably about half an hour later.
Pagoda Closeup
Date: 09/20/2008
35mm film scan - Fuji Velvia 100
Another detail/abstract of the white pagoda, showing the bird and dragon head ornamentations.
Chirp
Date: 09/18/2008
35mm film scan - Fuji Velvia 100
"CHIRP - Beautiful creature, excellent teacher. See you at the Rainbow Bridge, dear friend."
Adam pointed this one out. We went to the temple together the first time, and chatted as we walked through, me with tears rolling
down my face for what the place meant to me. This wasn't the only memorial to a pet on this wall or throughout the temple, but it
started me crying all the harder, to see someone's lovely tribute to their feathered friend. Just another love to set free into the
flames.
When I came back to the Temple on my own a couple of days later, I already knew I wouldn't be leaving without taking this picture.
Temple Log
Date: 09/18/2008
35mm film scan - Fuji Velvia 100
After our first visit to the Temple, Adam told me more than once that I really needed to go back by myself and leave my message
there, whatever I needed to say. I was kind of resistant. I just didn't know what to write, and it felt like it would take some meaning
away from it if I didn't have just the right words to leave.
But the day I went out wandering, I took a long path around many of the art installations, and finally turned myself to the distant
Temple. For a while I sunk myself into taking some photos I liked of the structure, from far away, closer, and finally inside. But
eventually I had to find a spot and write whatever was going to come out, and it was going to mean everything it needed to.
This is the log I wrote on. In the original image, almost the entire message is legible. I've purposely posted the image small and
unsharpened, leaving most of it difficult if not impossible to read, because some things are just private.
Adam doesn't have to say he told me so, cause I know very well he's almost always right.
Stairway to the Sun
Date: 09/18/2008
35mm film scan - Fuji Velvia 100
A view from inside the Basura Sagrada temple, up the spiraling staircase and into the flaring sun.
Usually something to be avoided, the big blown out glare. But in this context, it said something I really wanted, and I got this
shot just a little before the dust closed in to full whiteout, obscuring this kind of brightness from the sun, for pretty much the
rest of the day.
Dust Descending
Date: 09/20/2008
35mm film scan - Fuji Velvia 100
Basura Sagrada, the 2008 Burning Man memorial temple, as whiteout began to descend upon the remainder of the day.
This structure was a significant emotional focus of the Burning Man experience for me this year.
Dust to Dust
Date: 09/20/2008
35mm film scan - Fuji Velvia 100
Basura Sagrada, the 2008 Burning Man memorial temple, nearly overtaken by whiteout.
This structure was a significant emotional focus of the Burning Man experience for me this year.
Ghostly Home
Date: 09/20/2008
35mm film scan - Fuji Velvia 100
Basura Sagrada, the 2008 Burning Man memorial temple, ghostly in whiteout.
This structure was a significant emotional focus of the Burning Man experience for me this year.
Walking in Whiteout
Date: 09/20/2008
35mm film scan - Fuji Velvia 100
You can see how much visibility is lost even just from my camera at my eye, to the ground at my feet.
What the camera doesn't show is the subtle little "currents" of dust that blow by, darker and faster moving streaks across the
grainy fabric of the dusty air.
Playa Home
Date: 09/18/2008
35mm film scan - Fuji Velvia 100
Our camp at sunset.
Adam's truck and camper at right, our shade canopy with my tent behind it, and Sarah's dad's truck and camper on the left.
Chairs, bicycles, and oh, yeah, some flamethrower gear.
Sunset 1
Date: 09/20/2008
35mm film scan - Fuji Velvia 100
Sunset over the Playa.
Sunset 2
Date: 09/20/2008
35mm film scan - Fuji Velvia 100
Sunset over the Playa. Panning to the left, and a view of camp tents and vehicles under the glowing sky.
Sunset 3
Date: 09/20/2008
35mm film scan - Fuji Velvia 100
Sunset over the Playa.
Eyes in the Sky
Date: 09/20/2008
35mm film scan - Fuji Velvia 100
Sunset over the Playa, and a face in the clouds.
??
Date: 09/20/2008
35mm film scan - Fuji Velvia 100
Hiryu - Fire Dragon
Being back at Burning Man in 2008 was something I had known would have special meaning for me, and that certain parts of it would
be rituals of deep personal significance. Being present at the Temple burn was one of those.
I didn't try to take great photos of the Temple burning. I just wanted to take a couple of shots of it that were my own. I think I took
four pictures through the whole thing. I wasn't really using the right film, the right lens for it, and that didn't particularly matter to me.
This shot is the first of the four I took, the best of them, just as the bulk of the structure was taken by the fire.
As I watched the burn, I was watching for the life of this fire as I've never done before. Seen it in the photographs, yes, but never
before watched for it to show itself to me as it burned. It wasn't something really seen stopped by the eye, but more by the consciousness,
seen because I was looking for it. As the fire engulfed the building, pulled by the wind, there was a very large creature flying out. That's
what I could see and feel.
And though he isn't super clear in this photo, there is indeed a very big dragon, almost the size of the building itself, flying away to the
right. I can see his head, and the crossing diagonals of his wingspan and tail.