Braddock, Monaca, and Robin Hill

Field Trips

This marks the first "field trip" post on my site. My goal with these entries is to give context to my photos, which often result from spontaneous trips. In documenting the places I have been I hope to improve my photography, see new places, and build out a map of where I have been. I'm expecting most of these field trips will be local. Whether that is within walking distance, a short drive, or a day trip of Pittsburgh. I will also include some photos that didn't turn out because not all my photos are going to be great and that is as much of the journey as the successful photos.

Braddock

My walk through Braddock was not planned. After my first location was locked behind a security gate I drove aimlessly around the area. Eventually, an active steel mill caught my attention and I ended up in Braddock. I parked along the main road and walked the length of Braddock. The long stretch of road was lined by brick buildings with several abandoned and closed businesses. A few buildings had some nice vintage signs though I held off due to the harsh mid-day light. My primary focus here was Braddock Farms which sits adjacent to an active steel mill. Even in the middle of Winter some green vegetation was visible.

I also passed by Braddock's Free Store (see the photo below). I didn't get a chance to go inside, but more info on this place can be found here: https://www.freestore15104.org/. Seems like they redistribute food, school supplies, toys, clothes, and even bikes. A great resource for those living in Braddock. They even go to the trouble of repairing donated bikes to give them to those in the community. I like making Goodwill runs as much as anyone, but if you are in the Pittsburgh area and have extra clothes or resources to donate consider places like this over Goodwill. I think I've seen other Free Stores around the outskirts of the main Pittsburgh area so there are plenty of communities to donate too.

Braddock Farms (Above). Plants and steel remain active. Kiev 60 on Lomo400 (120)

Playground outside the Free Store (above). Kiev 60 on Lomo400 (120)

Random shot of a forklift (above). I tried to frame the forklift with the alley thinking it might be a decent shot. Kind of boring and bland, but not all shots will be interesting. Kiev 60 on Lomo400 (120)

Monaca

Stop number two was the Monaca Riverfront Park. I have kept an eye on this location for awhile and have been looking for a reason to travel 40 minutes North along the Ohio river to reach this place. Far from the urban center of Pittsburgh steel bridges remain a constant. In place of sky scrapers though small scattered suburbs and open sky prevail. The Riverfront park was my planned stop for the river view and nearby bridges. After wandering around I found a composition I liked next to the water and took some shots. Of the 12 photos I took the photos here I was the most excited to see these. Unfortunately, my Kiev 60 showed some problems with some clear shutter curtain lag that ruined my shot of the bridge. I will have to figure out the shutter speed that is causing the problem another time I suppose...

RIP my Kiev 60. Was really excited for this shot...

Robin Hill

My final stop took me to Robin Hill Park as I drove South back along the Ohio river. It was around 4 pm around now so lighting was less harsh. The park consists of nature trails that pass by a few oil derricks in the woods and an old log cabin. I only found one shot I liked, but the golden hour light made it worth it. Shortly after taking this shot I cross a stream and promptly slipped. Lost my phone briefly when I fell, but was able to recover it from the snow. I wasn't able to find anything else interesting on the way back, but this was fine as I had finished my roll of 12 shots on my Kiev 60.

Oil Derrick (Above). My favorite shot from this roll.