Abandoned Homestead

As with so many locations on these travels it sometimes takes a while to mull the options over in my mind and realise that there is actually a picture there. I'm usually a couple of miles down the road by this time. Even at this location it takes a while to walk round and find the right composition. Film choice was important here. Despite the glare of the midday sun I went for a faster emulsion to give the final print some earthy grain which would compliment the grass and wood in the finished picture.

Like many photographers I have a desire to capture a disappearing world, a love of the past if you like. As people up sticks and move on, they leave behind a sort of footprint of their life which is always destined to disappear if left long enough.

The camera only really sees the distressed remains of a bay window in this location, the rest of the house had fallen into it's own basement. It's current occupiers were mainly birds. When I see this picture I sometimes wonder what drove the occupiers away. Did they sell up ? Did young descendants up and leave the grassland living for the thrills of the city?

This is in Western Nebraska.

Location: Western Nebraska

Photographer: Christopher Hartford

Buy this print online:

up to A2+ - £80.00 Up to A3+ - £45.00 Up to A4+ - £30.00 Small Clip Frame - £8.00