Joy of Light Photoblog
Abandoned Home II
Posted by Stephen Phillips (San Francisco, United States) on 11 February 2009 in Documentary & Street and Portfolio.
The dying cactus garden alongside a deserted house in the Sacramento Valley of California
© copyright 2009 by Stephen Phillips Photography / San Francisco / www.joyoflight.com
please respect these rights - do not copy or use these images without permission
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sherri from Little Rock, Arkansas, United States
Definitely abandoned...and what on earth is that in the forefront? Greyscale was an excellent choice for this.
11 Feb 2009 5:32am
@sherri: This side of the property was literally 'walled' behind a massive prickly-pear cactus garden. Folks in this region use them as windbreaks. That is what is in the foreground and beyond. It is rotted and moldy and disintegrating.
bluechameleon from Vancouver, Canada
It's as if the entire scene is fading in abandonment. Well seen.
11 Feb 2009 5:43am
Calusarus from St Sorlin en Valloire, France
Abondoned by human people, but not by the nature…
11 Feb 2009 5:49am
Scott Schilling from San Martin, United States
Stephen this is a great composition in b&w. The scene to me brings sadness with the way everything seems to be dying - wonderful shot and composition.
11 Feb 2009 6:57am
@Scott Schilling: Thanks for the comments, Scott. The sadness is palpable. Posting these had me trek out to the site again two days ago. My hope was that the rains we've gotten recently would perhaps revive the cactus. Rather, the rot has accelerated and things are far worse. I was thinking of posting one or two of the latest images - but I can't see the point. Maybe later. I discovered a major crack in the foundation at the rear of the house. I see no future here beyond a bulldozer.
Paco Díaz from Palma de Mallorca, Spain
This view is more dramatic that yesterday's. The light in the image gives also the idea of hot weather and desertic space. Very good.
11 Feb 2009 7:08am
@Paco Díaz: Thanks, Paco. I like this capture as well. I mainly posted yesterdays to show the overall view of the place.
Mirko Herzner from Mühlheim am Main, Germany
Wow. That plant is/was really big. An impressive study, Stephen.
11 Feb 2009 7:47am
@Mirko Herzner: Hey Mirko - it is fairly common for folks in this area to use prickly pear cactus as wind breaks - they are excellent for the purpose - and talk about providing privacy! Here is a good example from nearby:
yz from Budapest, Hungary
wow, that's really nice!
i guess it won't be abandoned long as the cactus will soon move in :)
11 Feb 2009 8:15am
@yz: I'm sorry to report that the cactus is dying far faster than the buildings.
Kylie Greenan from Richmond, Australia
Beautiful detail, wonderfully sharp, amazing depth of tone, well done Stephen!
11 Feb 2009 9:03am
@Kylie Greenan: Thanks, Kylie - much appreciated.
k@ from Paris, France
The dying cactus seem to be still able to swallow the place up ! Great light*
11 Feb 2009 9:44am
romina from Bucharest, Romania
if it was my cactus garden and if it had cactus fruit I would have stayed there. cactus fruits are delicious.
excellent photo and treatment. congrats
11 Feb 2009 10:44am
@romina: Bless you for the kind words - thanks.
EYES WIDE SHUT from The library of my soul, United Kingdom
Amazing, like a 1950's science fiction film where the alien creature is eating the house! Superbly captured, Stephen, and perfect in mono
11 Feb 2009 11:08am
@Marie LC: Merci, Marie. Le temps, c'est de gagner ici. La fin viendra plus tôt que vous pensez est possible.
Walter from Watkinsville, United States
Detail - and lots of it. A cactus gone wild. Its hard to image a tree being eaten alive, but here we have it happening.
11 Feb 2009 12:32pm
@Walter: Ironically - the tree (a walnut I'm pretty sure) - seems healthy and fine - it is budding. The cacti are rotting rapidly.
dogilicious from Millerstown, PA, United States
In b/w those cacti look like aliens! well captured.
11 Feb 2009 2:25pm
Cricket from Huntsville, United States
My obsession with "investigating" old abandoned houses would quickly be put on hold by this ugly cactus that is protecting it. Lovely image once again.
11 Feb 2009 3:15pm
@Cricket: I can't blame you for being put off, Tammy. Here's a look at these cacti when they're 'happy':
Ron from Saint Louis, United States
Beautiful tones in this tangled, neglected "sculpture," Stephen ... I probably would have driven right on past it ... but you, my friend, saw something that made you stop ... I can learn from that ... thanks ... ron
11 Feb 2009 3:16pm
@Ron: Thanks for the visit and comment. Any good Buddhist you run into will tell you that the 'seeing' you speak of can be good or not. I find as I get older and much more selective - I still see more and more that calls my eye - my spirit - my camera. The downside is it gets harder and harder to 'stay on track' and get things done...
Steve Rice from Olympia, United States
A picture of desolation where even the minimal needs of the cacti are nor met. The B&W treatment is beautiful.
11 Feb 2009 3:46pm
Jeff from Pembroke Dock, Wales., United Kingdom
Day of the triffids spring to mind..
11 Feb 2009 3:49pm
@Jeff: Oh, yes - oh, yes - oh, yes...
LauraS from Chico, United States
I caught this, and meandered through previous works, I'm new to the community. I am very interested in your eye, and captures, of so many, many great shots. Thanks for sharing the variety.
11 Feb 2009 4:29pm
@LauraS: Welcome aboard Laura - and thank you very much. I love Chico. Bidwell Park is amazing.
peter from new york, United States
ha doesn't get more abandoned than that. very cool and strong b&w
11 Feb 2009 4:34pm
Chris from South Jersey, United States
a very stark image, perfect in b&w as it conveys that feeling of desolation and decay......
11 Feb 2009 4:43pm
Anthony Lambert from Bielefeld, Germany
Great composition,well seen(maybe a tad darker or a bit more contrast ?)
11 Feb 2009 5:01pm
vu@granby Gilles Martineau from Granby, Québec, Canada
The B/W is rendering the desolation of this isolated and abandonned house and dying cactus, nice compo!
11 Feb 2009 6:43pm
Diane Schuller from Hythe, Canada
there is a real sense of abandonment, almost sad really. The soft processing helps to maintain that feeling. well done.
11 Feb 2009 6:48pm
Susan from Fort Lauderdale, FL, United States
Definitely a sense of abondonment, and loss, seems to be quite fitting for the current state of our economy......Nice capture Stephen.....
11 Feb 2009 9:03pm
Cricket from Huntsville, United States
I like the happy version. I do however think the "not so happy" version added such life to this photograph.
11 Feb 2009 10:04pm
@Cricket: I think most all of us prefer 'the happy version'. A few believe in 'the happy version' for themselves - not caring about the impact on others. My belief is that we need to work on 'the happy version' for as many as possible.
Stunner from Kingston, Jamaica
The B&W really ads to the mood of this shot! Great work!
11 Feb 2009 11:24pm
Observing from West Cheshire, United Kingdom
Nothing for it but a few gallons of weedkiller, that'll teach them. But it's a good shot Stephen, and also a record for the future !.
11 Feb 2009 11:32pm
Yonatan from Bronx, United States
Sad scene. I think this picture speaks volumes about what many Americans are currently feeling in these tough times.
11 Feb 2009 11:59pm
Aaron W. Strasburg from Riverside, United States
Great image. perfect composition and framing.
12 Feb 2009 12:45am
Sarah Schneider Photography from Lancaster, United States
Very interesting find. I like the B&W. =)
12 Feb 2009 1:33am
willow from Chelsea, United States
This one brings to mind some of Dorothea Lange's images. Compelling.
12 Feb 2009 3:23am
@willow: Oh my willow - that is quite a compliment. Dorthea Lange's photography was a critical part of our national consciousness throughout her life. Her work will exist for as long as humankind may seek caring path.
grant from kansas city, United States
sad, yes, but visually interesting, even beautiful in a way i think.
12 Feb 2009 5:03pm
@grant: ...kind of defines the notion of 'bittersweet' doesn't it?
Twelvebit from Victoria, United States
This looks just like a scene in rural Texas I pass on my trips to Austin --shack and all.
13 Feb 2009 4:47pm
Kurt from San Francisco, United States
Freaky! I would've guessed Mojave, not Sac Valley--though both areas are full of odd treasures. Great choice to post in b/w, too.
13 Feb 2009 9:59pm
