Idaho Farm (1/640 at f/7.1) 16mm at ISO 200)
Old Tire Swing
I don’t know about you but I really enjoy shooting old abandoned buildings. I don’t quite know what it is that I love about these rundown buildings other than I think I’m drawn to their solitude. David E. Jackson, a photographer based out of Appleton Wisconsin, spent several years photographing “rural abandonment” in Wisconsin. His book, “Simple + Dirty” should have been labeled “Simply Amazing.” The book is beautiful and his work is well worth checking out. If you’re not familiar with his work then do yourself a favor and check out his work HERE. If you’re into shooting abandoned places, I would love to hear why. Maybe it will help reconcile that I’m not suffering from some Freudian fear of abandonment myself…;) So drop me a line and tell me why you like shooting these empty, rundown, old buildings.
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I love to and I did belong to a meetup group call appleton Urban Exploration group it was so awesome going into the past seeing what was and what it became
I physically cant do that anymore because most places have stairs and stairs and I arent friends and hill etc but i will treasure what i did get to shoot and see.
Theres a Place if anyone wants to check it out its being torn down soon its the Manitowoc lakeshore mall and has been abandoned for a long time now
heres the artical if your interested in doing it http://www.htrnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=20103040507
Thanks for the comment and the article….I’ll check it out…John
I especially love old houses… I can almost feel the living tha went on there. The morning pots of coffee, the laughter and arguments, the births and deaths… the emotions seem to linger…
Anita,
I know what you mean….thanks for sharing. John
I like shooting abandon places because of the mystery. What used to happen in these places, who was it that was here before me, ect. Abandon places have stories, but you have to search to find them out.
I Love shooting anything old! it has so much texture and character and a certain uniqueness, and always makes you wonder about all of the stories it could tell from the years past.
Shandi,
I agree…texture and character can make or break and image for me…..thanks for sharing. John
I have always loved old and abandoned buildings since I was a kid. Especially barns! I lived in the country as a child and there were abandoned houses that I could go explore in…..imagine who lived there, what their lives were like. I love the old, the character, the treasures people live behind as they go forward with there lives or perhaps, as there life has ended. The history (whether I know it or not), and the fact that they have a life of there own!
Jessie,
I’m with you on this one. I’m originally from the sticks of Michigan and there’s nothing like an old abandoned barn (owl inside is a bonus)….Thanks for your comment…John
Great post! I think abandoned places are such a draw because of their nostalgia. It’s almost as if you’re capturing something that was frozen in time. It always amazes me what you can find and photograph if you just look hard enough. Again, great post!
Emily,
Thanks for sharing. You’re right….if you look hard enough you can always find a good image to photograph…John
I too love taking pictures of abandoned buildings, usually in rural areas. There’s just something about the abandonment(sp?) and loneliness that comes out great in black & white & sepia.
Rhonda,
Loneliness is a good word…..works for me. John
i too love abandoned buildings … unfortunately german’s don’t get the whole picture taking thing! but where i can i do! & those are gorgeous.
Laura,
Thanks for the perspective and for sharing…John
I am in LUST with old architecture. The Spirit and Feeling of the structures. As most have mentioned already, the texture and grand architecture of many. The mystery of exploring. I have a few of my fav’s on my site.
Pam,
Thanks for sharing. I agree, there’s something to be said about the spirit and feeling of these old buildings….John
Great post. I love to take pictures of old buildings and mostly walk inside to see what it was like to live there. It’s a bit scary since you never know what you are walking into. Someone could call the empty place their home. If you are in the Southern California area, I would recommend a trip to the Salton Sea. There are a lot of photo opportunities there. Here’s my experience there” http://alisontravelsblog.blogspot.com/2010/03/day-trip-salton-sea.html
Alison,
Thanks for sharing. Salton sea is officially on the list…;) John
Great topic John.
Abandoned buildings offer a sense of exploring, risk and adventure while still telling a story at the same time. When shooting them you know it is only a matter of time till they are no longer there and often you wonder what is around the next corner….
Three of my most recent are:
Children’s Asylum: http://bit.ly/9hqlgt
1890′s Power Plant: http://bit.ly/djw5vs
Bethlehem Steel: http://bit.ly/bTMPuP
More work can be seen at http:TDLphoto.com or follow me on Twitter @TDLphoto
Cheers,
tim
Tim,
Thanks for sharing….John
I enjoy shooting the abandoned homes simply because of the textures of the old paint peeling, then i go into what was the last thoughts, words, ideas of those that lived here.
Omar,
I agree there’s nothing like the textures of old peeling paint. John
I too love photographing abandoned spaces! I think its just such a unique subject – to think that you could be one of the only ones who’s captured the space.
two sets of my “abandoned” photos:
http://www.amiefedoradesign.com/f-stop-photo/2009/11/8/empty-spaces.html
http://www.amiefedoradesign.com/f-stop-photo/2009/10/20/abandoned.html
Amie,
Thanks for sharing…John
What I like is the idea that they weren’t always abandoned. They were thriving with families and events, joys and sadness, births and deaths. It’s like catching a pocket in time, both past, present and future. One day, our homes will also be abandoned and the keepers of the memories will have disappeared. There will be others who will come into our space and wonder what it was like when we lived there. I always remember a quote that was found in a cemetery – don’t know who said it – that went, “As you are now, I once was; As I am now, one day you will be.”
Louie,
Wonderful comment….love the last line. Thanks for your comments.
Yeah, I love shooting abandoned buildings. Lots of reasons for me. I was trained as a restoration carpenter, so I’m always fascinated by the building materials/construction methods. Photographically I love the textures and quality of light you often find in building that are decaying. And aesthetically, I find beauty in the things (and people) on the margins, the forgotten and neglected. So many stories…
Erin, thanks for sharing. John
I, too, love to imagine the living that went on in the abandoned structure. The history of the place. There is also nothing like the textures of time worn elements… the wood, fabric, wallpaper etc.
Anna,
Thanks for your comments….John
Hello,
I love to shoot the old, not necessarily abandoned, buildings – farms, barns and fences. Besides the textures, colors and mystery of the unknown as mentioned above, perhaps we are drawn to the simplicity of the past – less haste, less noise, less pressure and more appreciation, more relaxation and definitely more work. I think that hunger for a simpler existance is why I am so drawn to the past and representing that in pictures is relaxing for me. My absolute favorite subject to shoot is any type of barn, the older the better! Especially the findings – latches, locks, hinges, etc – and windows and doors. To me, they represent the opportunity to view what’s inside…both the barn and yourself. It renews my focus!!!
Sherri,
Great comment. This past weekend I spent a few minutes shooting an old barn. I think it’s the smell and the texture I enjoy the most…John
Abandoned structures and automobiles are our chance to really look at material death – not so different from human death. Sometimes the right image allows a certain release and encourages a certain calm. …now go do something nice for someone!
Interesting perspective…thanks for sharing. John