I remeber seeing this image in a magazine several years ago and then saw it again on the web. It is one of those "atmospheric" images that instantly take you to a time and place if you have experienced it.
I also love this image because it takes place at that perfect time of day, either prior to sunrise or after sunset when the ambient light and manmade light are balanced or one is just starting to gain primacy.
I think I get where your feeling is coming from with this shot. I spent a lot of time on the road when I was younger (and wish I could spend more time there now) and I think that certain elements presented here really call to those memories. The old Pegasus is one for certain - it was a ubiquitous image on the road in the 70's, at least for me. The other thing that draws me is the old Air stream - another icon of the past.
I also like the lighting here, as you mentioned. That time of day is so fleeting that it always seems magical. Without these background experiences though, I can see why it would not impart the same feelings in others.
There is always something sort of romantic as well as sad and lonely about the open road.
On a personal note in a great big who cares kind of way, I always feel the most lonely and most homesick at dusk when on the road. That is unless I'm parked in my hotel room or in a bar.
Michael
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I find some of Jeff's work to be quite interesting, particularly his book Approaching Nowhere. If you haven't looked closely at his Website, I highly recommend doing so.
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Scott, I thought that name sounded familiar - I have his 'Readymades' book. I didn't remember until I browsed his site a bit.
Michael, I know what you mean. I get that way once the light is finaly gone - it takes the fun of being on the road with it. I have to say that I've never found a hotel room large enough to park in - bars, of course, are another matter, lots of room in a bar.
Strongly Egglestonian, this picture, as well as others on his site. Depersonalized in a good way, subtle color and yes, constructively depressing if you go with the flow.
My primary reaction is that square doesn't work here, holds the viewer too distant, doesn't sweep you and your feelings into the image like a rectanglar format would.
Still, the 'Mobil' in it connects as I worked for the company back then, when thousands of dealers had to be arm-wrestled away from the old and very dominant Flying Horse signs.
I like this one quite well. Pure Americana with some noir lighting. There were a few others of similar scenes done by other prominent photographers. I've liked all of them.
Jim, you sure about the year of the photo? From the looks of the vehicle and camping trailer, I would say more like 1960 than 1990. Think the Flying Horse logo was pretty much extinct by 1990 too.
"square doesn't work here, holds the viewer too distant, doesn't sweep you and your feelings into the image like a rectanglar format would"
Sounds like a PSA-approved critique at the local camera club. I don't buy it.
Jim, you sure about the year of the photo? From the looks of the vehicle and camping trailer, I would say more like 1960 than 1990. Think the Flying Horse logo was pretty much extinct by 1990 too.
Never mind. I looked at his website and he was born in 1955. What a find that scene was!
Discuss a Jeff Brouws Photograph 
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