Royal Hawaiian Motel
Sitting along Baker Boulevard in the Mojave Desert, this long-abandoned motel is a classic piece of roadside Americana slowly being reclaimed by time and heat. The peeling paint, crumbling signage, and weathered facades make for compelling urban decay photography, with strong graphic shapes and textures throughout. Work the exterior signage for tight detail shots, then pull back with a wide angle to capture the full sweep of the structure against the vast desert sky. Early morning light rakes across the deteriorating surfaces and creates strong shadows that emphasize texture, while golden hour gives the faded colors a warmer, more nostalgic quality. The open desert setting means you can position yourself across the road to include the flat horizon and big sky as context. A 24-70mm lens covers most compositions well here. Be aware the structure is in ongoing disrepair, so stay aware of your surroundings. (Baker, California, United States)
