On a foggy morning along the Puget Sound, I found myself walking Ruston Way in Tacoma, Washington, camera in hand. The mist clung to the water, blending the horizon into a seamless gray. It was a morning meant for quiet reflection and timeless imagery. This kind of scene calls for black-and-white photography, stripping away the distractions of color and focusing solely on shape, texture, and contrast.
I set up my camera for a long exposure, aiming to capture the haunting beauty of the old Dickman Mill ruins. The skeletal remains of the mill stood defiant against the stillness of the water. The weathered wood jutted up from the Puget Sound, remnants of a time long gone. The ruins speak of a past that was as strong as the timber industry that once thrived here.
Established in 1889, the mill was a significant part of Tacoma’s industrial history. For years, it played a crucial role in processing lumber from the surrounding forests, feeding the rapid growth of cities across the country. The mill was a testament to the strength of the Pacific Northwest and its people. But time, as it always does, had its way. A fire in 1979 claimed much of the mill, leaving behind these remnants—now nothing more than skeletal piers stretching into the fog.
Though the mill is no more, what remains are these weathered timbers—worn but unyielding, standing as a monument to the past. In this photograph, they appear almost timeless, anchored in the calm waters. Long-exposure photography allows for capturing this stillness, softening the water while sharpening the decaying structures. The fog only adds to the effect, creating a tranquil and eerie scene.
Black-and-white photography has a unique power in these moments. It pulls out the smallest details—the roughness of the wood and the smoothness of the water, bringing a sense of timelessness. This photograph doesn’t just capture the ruins; it captures the endurance of a place that shaped a region, now left to fade into memory.
One of a collection of photographs from my photography project Foggy Morning on the Puget Sound, Tacoma, Washington.
Further Reading:
Winter Maples, Point Defiance Park, Tacoma, Washington
