Thanks to Lynford Morton of Phototour DC and creating his Photo Project 2013 on Google +, this week I’ve been given a new photography assignment. The project? A composition and perspective challenge to photograph a subject by going around 360 degrees. Trying to find a perspective that goes beyond the first look of the subject.
Also known as “Working the subject” this exercise helps to look at something in countless different ways. I had headed up to Baltimore this morning in search of a bird (yes I found it) and drove briefly through Druid Hill Park. A park steeped in history, Druid Park has ended up being a beautiful inner city park where safety is a bit of a concern.
I discovered this old abandoned home shown in the image above. My first perspective was it being framed by the trees. Somehow the sepia tone worked better for this photo.
My next perspective brought me a bit closer to the home.
Where I started to appreciate the archways and doorways of the home.
I liked the cupola on the roof, and the random brick in the exterior wall.
And I even noticed a random pair of sport shoes abandoned nearby.
I wanted to walk a full 360 degrees around the house, but there was crime scene tape towards the back. Granted it was old, but made me still wonder what had happened.
And then the image that tells a story. A story of a boarded up, and forgotten home. Left in the middle of a city where anger and frustration lies. Where those who forget that they are in a beautiful and natural park, still want to leave remnants of ugliness. Warning: Some may find this image offensive
I contemplated editing out the words left behind for all the world to read. But then, the message would be gone. So here it goes…
I know that this is a post that isn’t my standard pretty butterflies, flowers and happy happy, joy joy. But being reminded of the dark side helps us to appreciate the bright side of life.
For this Google + photo group, Anyone can join! Whether you want to do a project 365, or project 52 or just post in the photo challenges, this is a great group to post your photos and share with others.
Of course I need to share the bird and leave you with a happy happy, joy joy feeling. 🙂 These are Yellow Crowned Night Herons that have just returned from their winter vacation.
Yellow Crowned Night Herons
Categories: 2013 Project 365, Baltimore, Birds, Foot Prints, Maryland Area Hikes, Nature, travel
Emily Carter ~ Nature as Art 
Fantastic, Emily!!! A dynamic 360 that captures the ravages of time and neglect.
Ok I’m annoyed with WP. The ‘shocking image’ is the one it defaulted to for highlighting on my home page. Grrr…. No way to select my primary image.
Great perspective, it isn’t so bad. There are worst graffiti I’ve seen. But the herons are beautiful. That reminds me I have to show and tell about the herons in Vancouver. I love the texture of these pictures.
Thank you so much. I didn’t think the graffiti too bad too. But you never know with other readers. These herons are so cool I had never heard of them until recently. Can’t wait to hear about your herons.
Thanks of the compliments on these images.
Great work Bella! You got a very interesting and varied set of images.
Thank you so much ! I appreciate your comments on this as I know I could have done more to find detail on this home.
Oh I really do love this. I adore coming across these kind of places and this one is very beautiful in a neglected way. I think I would have to find out more and then go back and photograph it with that in mind too. I like gritty reality and I think you have caught it really well here.
When I got home I tried to google and find out info on this home. It looks old, but not more than 75 years or so old. Couldn’t find a thing, but will keep trying. The park is pretty creepy, so I don’t feel safe wandering around with nice camera equipment in hand alone.
Maybe a field trip with a few friends? They are really beautiful images. x
That is true.. I am meeting a few more local photogs that may be interested.
Bravo, Emily! Love the story…amazing photo of the brick archway/doorway. So many textures. Thanks for introducing me to those beautiful herons!
Thank you so much! It’s my pleasure to share my discoveries.
This post and pictures are truly needed. I love your captures. Sad to see a forgotten place.
It makes you wonder. The herons are gorgeous!!
Humm..hope all is well with you, if the writing on the wall hits a tone with you. 🙂 Smiles and know all is well.
A very thought provoking post, and photos for that matter. The house looks upper-middle class, it makes me wonder how and why some one abandoned it, but I wonder that about every ramshackle house I see.
Thank you so much Jerry. Isn’t this a cool house? I would love to be able to restore this thing. Maybe I can buy it a move it to a better lot. Humm….I too wonder what stories lay inside.
I did a little looking online about the park, and saw nothing about that house, but then, I don’t know if the house is in the park. If it is in the park, there’s little chance of any one doing anything with that house.
I searched also and didn’t come up with anything either. It is definitely on the park premises though.
Funny how WP picks out the image. I have had them do some really pointless ones. Not pointless to the story, but out of context says nothing of the post or post title. I like the study you did in this post. It shows the raw look at urban life, the run down and neglected. Also the crime and abandonment. Nice work and nice story.
I figured it out! When you upload the images to your wp post. In that dialogue box, scroll down and look to the bottom right. There is an option to select the feature image. I hope that is with your upload box too. Thanks on the compliment for this post/pics. I really thought the house did tell a story.
Great collection of rustic captures. Excellently executed, as always.
You are so sweet Tom. Thank you !! Hope you’re having a perfect spring day in Italy.
This is a very interesting project and I love the angle you’ve taken with it. One could write a very creepy detective or mystery story about this barn; what with the shoes and the taped up door…. Imagination could fly wild!
Oh yes it could Fatima ! And only you could write the perfect story. I’m thinking ghosts, people running as fast as they can, leaving their shoes behind…
what a great post emily! thanks for telling us the story of the abandoned house with those wonderful pictures!
It is my pleasure Evi. I’m so happy that you enjoyed this post.
Amazing photos, excellent captured… 🙂
Merci Monsieur. You are truly too kind.
not a boarded up forgotten house – but a discarded memory for many – except those that lived in that 360 we get to see – what a story it could tell
what a story you have wrought with your images
thank you
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment Will. This house really does strike the imagination and curiosity. What an interesting place it is. Thanks again.
really a lovely post…. such a beautiful home, so very sad to see it in such a state. but you ended with some lovely guys!!!
I thought it was a shame that it is so wonderfully neglected. But no one could live there. They’d be harassed by the locals. Cool home though.
I love that house. Great bones. It would be so fun to bring new life to this building. Let’s just hope the crime tape doesn’t infer ghosts. 😉
I was hoping there were no ghosts either. I debated going around the tape and seeing that side of the house. But the thought of it was too creepy for me. 🙂
I really like this series. This was once a beautiful house and I love that there are those of us who still look for that beauty amongst the bones. I particularly like the black and white with the graffiti – wonderful contrasting lines and the graffiti fits in composition and subject. I find the shoes most disturbing…how does someone lose their shoes???
The herons are a wonderful closing chapter! They look as if they’re wearing royal capes 🙂
I really wondered about those shoes too Maya. Clearly they are a man’s shoes and left in a way that seemed as if they were running away. The house is pretty awesome. What an interesting design it has. I wondered about that alcove. Kind of small for a regular car/carriage.
Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a thoughtful comment. Glad you enjoyed the herons, they are cool.
What a beautiful Study! I would LOVE to revamp an old building like this one day!
We would have a blast doing that! Oh how we could bring it back to its original glory.
Darling BEYOND it’s original glory! It would be a triumph!
Great challenge find – the house has lots of wonderful character punctuated by neglect and abuse. Really good eye to find this one and see the beauty it offers. Police tape scare me, and black shoes say stay out curiosity isn’t worth it, and graffiti – too bad, it’s sad. Love that you ended your piece with a spot-light on life, the herons are beautiful creatures.
It’s ironic how something seeming so innocent, although neglected can hold so much mystery and curiosity. I loved this old house, and the graffiti boarded up windows just was the icing on the cake. Thanks Mary!
I love old structures like this. Very intriguing! I love to imagine the stories behind it. I really didn’t find that image so offensive…I’ve seen a lot worse!
Thank you so much Soonie ! I have also, but you never know with other readers. Just wanted to make sure…appreciate you stopping by and leaving such a lovely comment.
What an amazing home. Could you get in? I can’t believe it was just left. Seems sad.