sdtopic

I have been a photographer for about four years, and now I shoot everything from concerts to landscapes. Recently I had the opportunity to photograph Mount Laguna Air Force Base. It is truly one of the most incredible places I’ve been to. The old decrepit buildings are eerie and a little creepy, yet so beautiful. I was lucky enough to be there on a great day - the lighting was good and there was still a lot of snow.

The view from Mount Laguna is amazing. My main goal when visiting the base was to put my own style into the photographs while still capturing the essence of the buildings, and I think that was accomplished in my work.

Cameras and lens:
Canon 5D Mark II
Canon 40D
Canon 17-40 F4.0 Wide Angle
Canon 75-300 Telephoto
Tokina 10-17 Fisheye

Above: Entrance into one of the buildings on the abandoned compound. The large buildings have long stretches of corridors partially or completely blocked by debris.
Left: The Air Force used the station as a radar station.

Above: Outside of one of the base buildings, with asbestos warning on outside. The U.S. Forest service attempted to require the Air Force to restore and clean the site, but the Air Force maintained they had no obligation.
Left: Different view of the entrance from top of page.

Above: The base is located at a high altitude on Mount Laguna. On the east side of the peak the mountain drops off steeply into the Anza Borrego Desrert. On clear days the view stretches all the way to the Salton Sea.
Left: Graffitti at the base. In 1981, the Air Force considered the base to be unnecessary and abandoned it. Vandals have since decorated much of the base.
Below: The road leading to the base, which is usually gated up, is accessible off the main road on the Sunrise Highway.