Photographing and Processing Ghost Signs

March 15, 2012

1–2 minutes

Architecture, ghost sign, photography, sign, southwest, travel

One (of my many) projects is photographing signs – specifically neon signs and ghost signs. I love the history that ghost signs “share”. From the type of font, to pricing, to the colors and imagery. You can usually find them everywhere, and the recently uncovered ones I think are the most special. The colors are vibrant and the surface unweathered.

We found this sign in Socorro New Mexico. It wasn’t until we saw it, that we realized the many references to owls throughout the town – business names, imagery, etc. What was unusual was no one in town could tell us why.

I like to pull out the detail and grittiness of the surface that ghost signs are painted on in post-processing. This one was created using Topaz Labs Adjust 5. They have presets that accentuate the color and detail.

Ok – off to search for more.

3 responses to “Photographing and Processing Ghost Signs”

Najasila

March 15, 2012 at 1:13 am

Learned something new today — the beauty of those old, worn wall paintings. Thanks for the new perspective!

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Sam Roberts

March 16, 2012 at 12:52 am

I’m not sure that the Owl Cigar brand is particular to that location, I’m fairly sure I’ve seen similar signs from elsewhere in the States. Great find, very well photographed. Thanks, Sam (http://www.ghostsigns.co.uk)

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pamphotography

March 20, 2012 at 2:14 am

Hi Sam – thanks for the comment – I agree about the sign not being particular to the location. It was so interesting, that it was because of the sign we started to notice all the other owl symbolism there.
I’m excited to see you have a passion for ghost signs – I try to photograph them when I see them, in an attempt to preserve history….and am really sad when they are destroyed.

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