Transformations

What is my series Transformations? Over the years, I’ve been fascinated by photographing unusual places or objects that seem to have been left behind, dumped as trash, or abandoned. These aren’t just ordinary pieces of junk; they appear to transcend their original purpose, transforming into something entirely new.

I rarely come across subjects that fit this theme, but when I do, I feel an overwhelming urge to photograph them. I don’t have many pieces in this series, so when I find one that fits my narrative, I capture it and proudly share it with anyone I think might appreciate it.

When I worked at the East Valley Tribune Newspaper, I would occasionally bring some of this work to the photo desk. My photographer colleagues were often my first critics. One day, a coworker looked at the images and said, “These are Transformations.” At the time, I hadn’t given the series a name, but as soon as he said it, something clicked.

That was it—the perfect title. I loved it, and Transformations has stuck.

This is Hidden Valley Auto Parts in Maricopa, Arizona. When my sons were younger, I often drove past this junkyard on our way to go dove hunting. Every time I passed it, I thought, I need to photograph those vans.

I wondered about the interesting way they were being used for advertising but couldn’t help thinking about who owned these vans when they were new. Perhaps a family eager to tour the country, or a contractor excited about his new van to store his equipment. My imagination ran wild, picturing these vehicles as useful, even cherished, by someone long ago.

Surely, they must have been a point of pride when they first rolled off the showroom floor. But now, years later, they’ve been discarded, reduced to junk, waiting to be crushed and recycled at the junkyard. Yet, someone saw their potential for a second life—as a creative way to advertise.

A true transformation.