Winona Hotel Condos

Posted by Melissa W. (Warsaw, Indiana, United States) on 12 April 2008 in Architecture and Portfolio.

Something a little bit different for me... I just shot this yesterday, but I processed it to have a vintage feel. I wanted it to look as though it was taken in the early 1900s. Tomorrow I'll post what it "really" looks like. :)

The Winona Hotel was originally built in 1888. Back in the day, the town of Winona Lake, Indiana once attracted more than a quarter million people every year. Eventually, during the mid-20th century business started to fade and the town fell into disrepair.

Winona Lake is best known for the lake it is named after and built on. It is also the home of Grace College and Theological Seminary and the home of former preacher and professional baseball player Billy Sunday. Christian musician and preacher Homer Rodeheaver made Winona Lake his home from 1912 until his death in 1955. (wiki)

In 1997, some entrepreneurs got together to restore the town to its former glory. Today the entire town is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

What was once the Winona Hotel is now the Winona Hotel Condos.

Comments (16)

Ron from Saint Louis, United States

Outstanding processing, Melissa! Of course, you began with a great image ... beautifully composed. Just an all-around great job!

12 Apr 2008 5:23am

Gary from Cochise County, United States

I'm speechless. This is WONDERFUL Melissa. I just love it.

12 Apr 2008 9:44am

@Gary: Thank you so much, Gary. I'm glad you like it so much. :)

Will from Gainesville, United States

great shot melissa...love the processing!

12 Apr 2008 1:37pm

fcofont from Valencia, Spain

Amazing treatment and comp. love textures here!

12 Apr 2008 2:30pm

paulski from Muncie, IN, United States

nice job; excellent post-processing here. yuo've definitely captured the vintage feel here. well done...

12 Apr 2008 3:07pm

standley from brou-sur-chantereine, France

Excellent treatment. I am looking forward to see the original!

12 Apr 2008 3:52pm

Wysterior from Kloten, Switzerland

Brilliant sepia tone b&w - great

12 Apr 2008 4:09pm

danthro from Suburbia, United States

great shot. excellent light, pretty much goes without saying though. great tones, and composition, and nice "old"-looking effect, though it does look like an added effect (albeit a well added one), i think 'cause the effect isn't as strong in the middle of the photo (though I don't know if that's why, i've never tried making a photo look old). interesting history about the place. it sounds like it must be a very religious community.

12 Apr 2008 6:25pm

@danthro: I think the reason the middle isn't as strongly affected is due to the vignette...the highlights don't seem to pick up the texture as much as the shadows.

Winona Lake is a very conservative and highly religious community.

Thanks for the comment. :)

Edward James from Derry, United States

You did a great job editing. I love the style you chose. It really works. You can see the specks of grain or what looks like sensor dust in the clouds. Makes it look old. Beautiful building. I love the history behind it. Amazing work!

13 Apr 2008 7:08am

Graham Russon from Cape Town, South Africa

Wow great shot and brilliant post processing. This looks like an old photo (scratches and all). Good work.

13 Apr 2008 3:29pm

Sandrine from Cincinnati, United States

Awesome processing! Excellent!

14 Apr 2008 7:42pm

Eric Rousset from Grasse, France

Nice post processing, well textured !!

15 Apr 2008 11:06am

Twelvebit from Victoria, United States

Condos? Really, how many condos does this building divide into?

17 Apr 2008 11:38am

@Twelvebit: Condos. Not sure; next time I'm in Winona I'll check out the sign and get back with you. There's a big sign on the property stating that there's one unit left. They're asking upper 200s...you interested? ;) Never been inside one, but I've been told that they're very nice.

Twelvebit from Victoria, United States

For $200K it would have to either be huge or be located some place like downtown Austin.

17 Apr 2008 2:02pm

@Twelvebit: The property value is crazy in that area due to all the remodeling and renovation...plus it looks out over the lake and you get your very own pier. Ten years ago, that whole area was a dump; they've done an amazing job rebuilding that community (but that still doesn't justify the $200k price tag).

drphoto from Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom

I love the processing on this. wonderful texture - it works really well =D)

Dan

18 Apr 2008 11:00am

Twelvebit from Victoria, United States

If I get my own pier and I can tie up a 36' sailboat, then ok.

18 Apr 2008 11:33am

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Canon EOS 30D
1/100 second
F/18.0
ISO 100
24 mm