Freight Train Travel – Mike Brodie’s Decade-Long Adventure
Mike Brodie (a.k.a. Polaroid Kidd) is a photographer out of Pensacola, Florida who in 2003 went on an adventure traveling across America. However, this travel was done by hopping onto freight trains and with no set destination in mind. All of this was documented through photography, with a heart wrenching Jack Kerouac-esque look into the world of train hopping.
While the trip initially was a trip of self discovery, a friend gave him a Polaroid SX-70, to help capture the moments of his trip, and ultimately, his life journey. After Polaroid discontinued SX-70 specialty film, Brodie got himself a Nikon F3 35mm camera.
His photographs are what he refers to as “travel culture”, and capture the lives of squatters, hobos, train-hoppers and those who are just out seeking true adventure. The images themselves, embody a natural harmony of heartbreak, spirit and adventure. Since his adventure, Brodie’s work has been featured in in exhibits spanning all over the world, including the 2006 Paris International Photo Fair at the Louvre.
You can see more of Mike Brodie’s work at his website.
