First things first! A hearty “Welcome back” to Patti, who is hosting this week after a hiatus, and what a topic to lead on her return! She asks us to look for the mysteries in our photos. She writes, “Look for scenes with low light and dark colors. Peer through windows of abandoned buildings and/or take walks through places that are dimly lit.” You can read her entire challenge post here!
For my response, I searched my archives for photos that might be appropriate and found a couple of previously unpublished images that qualified. The only modification being exporting them at 2K resolution for my Flickr site. But, I’m getting ahead of myself. In my opening photo, an abandoned house in a small South Dakota town attracted my attention. I decided to reprocess it to add more mystery by following Patti’s advice. The partly sunny sky and bright exposure were replaced with a lightning-filled sky and intentional application of exposure reduction. The conversion to black-and-white completed the transformation.
Approximately four hours north of Okaton, this forgotten house stands stark and abandoned — once alive with laughter and lullabies, now silent beneath the weight of time. Yet the walls echo the laughter and tears of those who once called it home. This photo was reprocessed for the challenge by a simple conversion to black-and-white with a sepia tinge.
A decade ago, we visited my sister in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and decided it was time to take the tram to Sandia Peak, an attraction I thought would be fun to feature on a Travel Tuesday post. We rode up to the peak accompanied by bright skies and fluffy white clouds. From the station, however, the world below had vanished — swallowed by a sea of clouds. Those looking up from below would wonder at the mysteries hidden at the summit. This photo was only lightly touched; a slight crop and a resolution change for Flickr were the only adjustments.
One September morning, I rose early for a planned outing but didn’t want to skip my gym time. I finished my workout and, as I stepped outside, the sky was just beginning to glow, revealing a low veil of fog clinging to the ground. After a short drive to the Red River, I waited for the sun to rise behind its quiet flow.
Beyond the fence, Elm Street runs parallel to the river, with a mowed path that offers walkers a retreat from the traffic. Captivated by the glow of the street lights and the mysteries they revealed by the river, I converted this image to black and white years ago. I was drawn to the way the mist softened the edges of everything, but I don’t believe I’ve ever shared it — until now.
In 2019, we visited the Mystery Castle in the shadow of South Mountain in Phoenix, Arizona. The story behind the house is one of mystery. When he was diagnosed with Tuberculosis and did not wish to expose his family, Boyce Gully left his Seattle home without telling his wife and daughter why or where he went. He traveled to Phoenix, and once his disease in remission, he built this house. He gave his attorney instructions to reveal his location to his family only upon his death.
While searching for mystery photos for this challenge, I came across my set from 2014, taken at night in Whites City, New Mexico. I’ve shared another image from this outing more times than I dare to say, so I decided to go back to my raw files and edit a different view of the abandoned motel.
Originally known as White’s Cavern Camp, the site was expanded during the Great Depression to become the Pueblo Motel — a modest but memorable stop for travelers en route to Carlsbad Caverns. With its stucco walls and arched doorways echoing Southwestern architecture, the empty sign and overgrown grounds speak to the mysteries of silence, shadows, and stories left behind.
That’s all for my response this week. For a closer look at these photos or a glimpse at the metadata, the detailed images in 2K HD are posted on my Flickr site here. It’s great to have Patti back as host, and she’s hit it out of the park with this week’s theme. Last week, I enjoyed seeing everyone’s responses to my “On the Move” challenge. I was amazed at the wide variety of places and conveyances shared in your responses. Next week, Beth hosts: her challenge goes live on Saturday, November 29, Eastern Time. Be sure to follow her here so you don’t miss her post.
Regarding my use of bold type… I was reading about key points highlighted in bold as an aid for those who like to skim-read posts. That seems an appropriate feature for a blog focusing on photography. Feel free to comment, positive or negative, about this change.
One final note: At the beginning of this holiday season, I wish everyone a safe, peaceful space to reflect, reconnect with family, and maybe cheer through the football game.
John Steiner
Journeys with Johnbo 
John, I think yo have great mysterious photos, so well edited, but for me the first one was an absolute favorite, Abandoned in Okaton, SD. It is just wonderful. I love it.
Thank you, Ritva! I enjoyed making those mysterious edits.
Editing can add so much more to an already mysterious place
Indeed! It can truly alter the image making it so much more dramatic than it really appeared. 🙂
Great choice of images for this theme and great edits to add to the sense of mystery in them! I love your first two abandoned houses in particular, and was fascinated by the story of the mystery castle.
Thanks, Sarah! I really enjoy the editing process… so I’ll never be called a journalistic photographer. >grin<
If you want more details about that Mystery Castle, you can read (and see more photos) about it here: https://photobyjohnbo.com/2019/06/11/mystery-castle-a-monument-to-enduring-love/
Very mysterious this week John. Black and white editing does add mystery to a photo and sepia tone, even more. Great edits.
Thanks, Anne!
Wonderful images and edits John. I especially like the first house and foggy road.
I knew you’d gift us with something special, John. This challenge is made for your editing skills and the first one in spot on. My favourite is the Abandones in Sims, that works for me perfectly!
Thanks, Sofia! I really enjoyed following all of the mysterious entries!
The empty house with the lightning? Perfect for this challenge! Happy Thanksgiving to you both, John.
Thanks, Janet! Back at you!
Fog, dark clouds, and monochrome were excellent choices. The opener is gorgeous!
Thanks, Egidio! I had a great time “mysteriorizing” that old house. Is that a word? >grin<
A great selection. i love the early morning fog and the Sandia clouds in particular. The mystery castle is an interesting one too. So much detail in that image.
Thanks, Vicki! Patti gave us a fun challenge this week!
Well done as always John. Your story about the guy who didn’t reveal his location until after he passed was just so sad. I cannot imagine how hurtful that was to his family who would I’m sure have much preferred he stay home with them. Loved the mystery castle and your closing humor brought me a big smile!
Thanks, Tina! Since hearing that story, I have wondered why anyone would do that to their family.
Carnivorous bananas… who’da thunk.
John, you have brought us a great gallery of mysterious images. The first one of the abandoned home in South Dakota is my favorite. I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.
We had a houseful of company. It was so nice! Thanks, Beth! That first image has gotten lots of compliments. I appreciate that feedback!
These are so fascinating John, I want to know why they are abandoned, who lived in them, so many questions, which i think the word mysterious brings up. Great post.
Thanks, Leanne! I actually found out some details about the abandoned homes. Both were family homes in their day, but as often happens, people move away, and when the town’s resident numbers decline, there are no buyers. Both homes were abandoned when they didn’t sell.
The mystery turns out to be simple economics. >grin<
I like how you processed these – my favorite is opening one!
Thanks, Nora!
Love abandoned buildings and the first two images are particularly striking. Hope you have a lovely Thanksgiving
Thank you! We had a houseful and it was a great day.
Many thanks John for your kind words on my return! And…I love your images! The first one in particular captured my attention right away and I had a good laugh at the AI generated one. Your info on the processing is so helpful. Wonderful post, as always. And I hope your Thanksgiving was a joyful one.
Thanks, Patti! Glad to see you back!