The Story Behind the Photo
February 2025: Neon Signs-Fill the Frame
Steven McKeen
© Steven McKeen
Once I heard about the assignment, I knew exactly what I was going to take a photo of. The “Flying Boot Cafe” in Tacoma. This is an iconic sign that I remember growing up, because it is unique and fun.
So out to Tacoma with my wife, camera, tripod and remote. I knew this would be a great photo. Upon arriving at the sign at night when it was dark, we pulled up and to our dismay, the sign was not turned on. The Café was open, but the sign was dark. The sign had seen better days and was in pretty rough shape. I went inside and asked an employee if the sign could be turned on for a photo. She replied, the sign was broken and too expensive to fix.
Strike one – no photo
Well, I knew another iconic sign a few miles away in Tacoma on Pacific Ave. The old Elephant Car Wash. So off we went. Arriving at the car wash, it was also. Turned off.
Strike two – No photo
Another backup photo would be the Brown & Haley Factory in Tacoma. The original factory was still in operation and had a Neon Sign hanging outside. Arriving at the factory, I was able to get photos, but not the ones I really wanted.
Strike 3 - Not the right photo
So off to another sign.
Arriving at the Tacoma Car Museum, it had multiple neon signs outside. We were able to find a gate that hadn’t been closed, so we were able to park at the museum. I took several photos, but it was difficult due to the lighting from the showroom. Again, not the photo I was looking for.
Strike 4 - Not the right photo
Another iconic sign was the Poodle Dog Restaurant sign in Fife. Arriving at the restaurant, I was able to take several photos that I liked. I thought that was the one. Since the sign was so high in the sky and because it was dark, the sign looked like it was floating without any processing. That would be a keeper.
Since I usually submit one photo, I was done. At least, I thought I was done.
While I was going to a shop in Sumner, we usually always take the freeway since it is much faster. For some reason, I don’t know why, we went down Main Street in Sumner. While on Main Street, we saw an Elephant Car Wash with a neon sign. This was Saturday and the photos were due the next day, Sunday. I looked over at my wife and said, “I have to come back tonight and take a photo of this sign”. So that night, I again took my camera, tripod and remote (no wife this time) and took photos of the car wash sign. This sigh was also in the air with nothing behind it, so it appeared to be floating in the air.
Wanting to add some leading lines and flare to the photo, I took a recent firework photo and added it as a background layer. This was the photo I was looking for.
So after numerous attempts, I finally got the photo.