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Deserted Barracks
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Deserted Barracks

by Craig Myers

Gallery: POP PhotosPosted June 21, 2012204 views6 comments
The main garrison of the of the formerly proud old army base at Fort Ord, near Monterey, California, is in a bad state of decay. I came upon this doorway to the upper floor of one of the barracks. The entry stairs had been torn away along with the entry door, revealing this stairway, presumably, reminding the soldiers who trod upon it, of what qualities it takes to be all that one can be. While motivation may have been a strong point of whomever stenciled the virtues onto the steps, spelling wasn't. From the bottom the qualities are: unselfishness, tact, loyalty, knowledge, justice, judgement, intergity [sic], initative [sic], enthusicsm [sic], endurance, dependability, decisiveness, courage, and bearing. 3 image HDR. As always, I appreciate your feedback.

Comments

6 comments
Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on June 21, 2012 at 2:02 PM
Well done and very natural looking. Also a powerful commentary on the decay of those same qualities in our society. :frown:

I would love to see this in good black and white.
Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments
Comment posted by Harley Goldman on June 21, 2012 at 5:52 PM
Fascinating stairway and aging building. Funny to read Phil's comment about B&W. That was my first thought when I opened the image. It would be fun to play with a conversion and see what comes of it.
Registered on November 19, 2003, 586 Posts, 11271 Comments
Comment posted by Craig Myers on June 23, 2012 at 3:18 PM
Phil, Harley,

Thanks for the commentary. Here's an attempt at a B-W version.
Registered on September 1, 2008, 85 Posts, 757 Comments
Comment posted by Eva McDermott on June 24, 2012 at 11:46 PM
In this case, while at first I thought a B&W would be best, after seeing it, I think the color version works best. I like this a lot Craig.
Registered on January 4, 2009, 1015 Posts, 13229 Comments
Comment posted by Howard Cheek on June 25, 2012 at 7:17 PM
I like the weathered look, it fits the theme of this list of virtues that stand the test of time.
Those that passed through here aspired "to be all that one can be".
And that's a very good thing.
Very well presented, well done! :toast:
Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments
Comment posted by Vance Gese on June 29, 2012 at 1:13 AM
Love the weathered paint and the well trodden stairs in your excellent composition. The color image works the best for me. Outstanding. As Phil stated, really has a hidden message as to how these virtues seem to mean so little today.
Registered on November 13, 2008, 298 Posts, 6629 Comments