Living in a Route 66 town, after a while, it’s easy to walk by the sights and sounds that continue to impress thousands of tourists each year without batting and eyelash. However, photographers like Chicago-resident Efren Lopez are determined to help everyone see things differently.

“What I’m trying to do, is take the things that people experience every day and help them to experience it in a new way,” Lopez said. “I don’t want to offer another snap shot of the landmarks, I am out to capture the feeling of Pontiac.”

Whether invited by museum director Tim Dye to take pictures at the Pontiac-Oakland Museum and Resource Center’s GTO Regional All Pontiac Cruise and Show last September, or simply stopping by to see the sights and check out the local restaurants with his family, Lopez has been visiting Pontiac frequently.

“In my opinion, Pontiac is one of the prettiest towns along Route 66, but I think Illinois, as a whole, has done a great job promoting its Route 66 heritage,” Lopez said. “From what I’ve seen and heard along my travels, a lot of people talk about Pontiac and how well its doing with tourism. The views, with the parks, swinging bridges and hospitality in the local shops make it hard to beat.”

In exchange for services, Lopez often gives his signed photos and posters as gifts. Some of his work ends up hanging in shops around town, or on the walls of local homes, but regardless of its placement, Lopez hopes his work is used to inspire.

“Bob Waldmire is one of the artists on Route 66 that I really admire because he lived as a true artist, off of his work,” Lopez said. “I’ve done the same thing in the past: I’ve slept in my car after traveling for days, I scout out the area and I eat in local businesses as often as possible. Part of my plan, during my journey on Route 66, is to support the local businesses. To experience the authentic Route 66, I think you really have to do that.”

He discovered his passion for photography in the Air Force Reserve, where he worked as a combat photojournalist to the Fourth Combat Camera Squadron, March Air Reserve Base, California. He honed his photography skills documenting numerous military exercises and also began teaching photography at his alma mater, Phoenix College, in Arizona.

Lopez deployed to Afghanistan in 2009, where he documented combat and humanitarian missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He was awarded the Air Force Combat Action Medal and Army Combat Action Badge for capturing photos under fire.

Shortly after his redeployment, he was selected to attend the Military Visual Journalism program at Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Communication in New York. Efren is the only reservist of any branch to be chosen to the prestigious program’s 52-year history.

After graduating from Syracuse University in 2012, Lopez became fascinated with Route 66 and began capturing images of the famous road attractions he discovered in front of his lens.

“As a photographer, I am curious about what people take pictures of. What I began to notice during my travels is that a lot of people were stopping to take pictures at various places along Route 66,” Lopez said. “I often asked what they were taking pictures of and usually someone would say something like, ‘we’re enjoying the historic highway.’ At first, I was confused. I knew about Route 66, but I wasn’t knowledgable about how important this road was.

“I began to do some research and was intrigued. I wanted to hit the road and find out more about the people who keep these Route 66 communities going. I get the same excitement out of meeting Route 66 business owners and local community members as someone might get from meeting someone famous for the first time. They are just normal, every-day individuals, but you still get this sense that they are proud to be living on Route 66 and serving their communities.”

Lopez tries to capture stories in his photographs. He is constantly on the lookout for shapes, reflections — anything that can make an ordinary photo look extraordinary.

“I know in my mind that tourist stops, like the Route 66 Shield, are photographed a lot. My hope, is to come up with a new angle, or a new element, to make them look at that same place with new eyes,” Lopez said. “Sometimes, its about finding a high angle vantage point for a bird’s-eye view. Other times, you can get down on the ground, see how the photograph might look from the vantage point of a bug. To me, the enjoyment of taking a good picture is figuring out an angle to take a better picture.”

Lopez is currently in the process of selling some of his Route 66 prints to Edinger’s Filling Station. He says the restaurant wants to buy his pictures of various Route 66 filling stations to accentuate the walls. He also has a website, www.route66images.com, where his artwork can be found.

“My goal is to help support the road and create a way for people to make money, too,” Lopez said.