Impermanence

While I love the weathered textures, rust and other features of decay, photographing an abandoned old house can bring mixed feelings. There are melancholy thoughts of needless decline. Why was this home neglected and forgotten? But there is also an appreciation of the effort and sacrifice spent in building the home. Lives were lived here, perhaps a family’s, it was their home.

There is peace found in the acceptance of impermanence as part of the cycle of life. There is after all, beauty in decay.

Reclamation

Black And White Photography, C.S. Young Jr., Photography

The overgrown vegetation and patina on metal are both evidence of Mother Nature’s slow but persistent reclamation of the natural and man-made world. Our sense of order is often at odds with Hers. Will we regain our lost ability to live harmoniously before it’s too late?

Fall Monochrome Landscape

Photography

Farm on Bryan Davis Rd, Ashe County Composition 1

Many agree fall foliage is also ideal for monochrome. The ability to adjust the luminosity across the color range can offer up interesting foliage tonality. When I first got out my car on this Ashe County, NC backroad, all the cows were in the shed. As a curious bunch, it took very little coaxing to get them to pose for this landscape composition.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. I’m most grateful for this WordPress and Monochromia blog community!

Cheers,

C. S.

Abandoned Barn on Rock Foundation

Black And White Photography, C.S. Young Jr., Photography

Old Barn in George Gap Composition 2 Monochrome

This unique old barn was found on the back roads of Watauga County near Sweetwater, North Carolina. The stone foundation supports one side of the barn’s placement on the edge of a hill. The vine consuming the façade appeared to have died, leaving a thick, craggily branching structure attached to the barn. To appreciate the cool textures, click on the image to view a high resolution version.

Cheers,

C. S.

Antiquity

Black And White Photography, C.S. Young Jr., Photography

I found this old piano on the porch of an abandoned house on Silas Creek Rd while exploring the backroads of Ashe County. I try to imagine the music, peace, joy and family experiences once shared from this instrument. Who played, what did they play, and why was this piano and house abandoned?

Cheers,

C. S.

Hawksbill Mountain, pt2

Black And White Photography, C.S. Young Jr., Photography

Late afternoon view from the top of Hawksbill Mountain looking south along the east side of Linville Gorge towards Table Rock and Shortoff Mountains. For the best viewing experience, click to see a high resolution version.

Cheers,

C. S.

Hawksbill Mountain in Linville Gorge

Photography

I hiked to the top of Linville Gorge about an hour before sunset during my fall color expedition earlier this month. Of course there were just as many monochrome opportunities!

Cheers,

C. S.

Looking Into the Abandoned

Black And White Photography, C.S. Young Jr., Photography

Look through the windows into this sagging old abandoned house and imagine the lives once lived here and why this home was ultimately abandoned. For the best view into this home, click to see a high resolution version.

Cloud Silhouette

Black And White Photography, C.S. Young Jr., Photography

Just 10 minutes before sunset, a large cloud briefly swept in towards this vantage point on Rough Ridge Overlook just off the Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP) in North Carolina. See more of my BRP Gallery here.

Cheers!

C. S.