Abandoned
I’ve become slightly obsessed with the house next door. The house we rent is semi-detached, and the house we’re attached to is derelict. In a street like this – which is very pleasant, attractive, and middle-class – it’s a real shock to see a house in this state of disrepair. Through speaking to neighbours, we’ve learned that it’s owned by an elderly lady who’s been living in a care home for many years and who flatly refuses to sell the house, or maintain it. Windows are broken, the rendering is breaking off the walls, window frames are rotten, rubbish lies everywhere, and there’s grafitti on the back door. Our landlord has had problems in the past with damp seeping through to our house from next door and it would be difficult to sell the house we’re in because of the threat next door poses to its structure. Much longer, and the only option for it will be demolition.
It’s desperately sad to see this house lying abandoned and unloved. Something about it touches me and I’ve wanted to photograph it for a while. It’s quite creepy in some ways; from our own house we often hear muffled thumps and bangs that definitely sound as if they’re coming from the empty house. I’ve got no doubt there are mice and birds and quite probably rats inside it, and it seems likely these are the source of some of these strange noises. Still, being round there with one eye shut and the other to the viewfinder, I feel slightly ill at ease.
I haven’t been able to make my mind up how to photograph this. I knew I didn’t want the hard, sharp look of a photojournalistic approach. I wanted something that felt nostalgic, sad and possibly a little disturbing. I see this as an ongoing project and I thought I’d make a start by using my Lensbaby, with the plastic optic. I felt that the soft, slightly unfocussed look of it would give a dream-like feel, and I also wanted the gentle, faded colours and low contrast of an old photograph. These shots are pretty much straight out of the camera and I’m not totally happy with them, but I can’t think at the moment how else to approach things. I’d be interested to hear your thoughts and comments.
I’ve been going through rather a tough time lately, with some childhood unhappinesses resurfacing, and I think that may explain my attraction to this sad, neglected building. It’s one of the few times I’ve been able to directly relate my photography to what’s in my own psyche. I’m not sure if this helps things along, or perhaps gets in the way. These are quite different from my usual style – they’re not striking or attractive or colourful. They’re much quieter and less immediately interesting. I feel a little self-conscious about them because of this, but this simply feels like something I have to do.
April 4, 2012 @ 6:36 pm
Hi Gilly,
I actually think that you’ve got a very interesting subject in this vacant home and the Lensbaby serves the feeling of the place well. I particularly like the second and last image! I feel real stories from the past in them. Since you asked, I’d go tighter on the fifth shot (the top half interests me) and on the tenth (The curtain patterns against the window catch my eye). The reflections of the trees in the window, plus the frame and some vines, of the seventh image look like something to explore, also. To my eye, these images look like they might be even more powerful, and suit the mood of the place, in B&W or sepia. That’s my two cents! You’ve got a great series started here!!! This house has much to reveal….
April 4, 2012 @ 8:13 pm
Thanks, Anna, that’s really helpful and I’ll give your suggestions some serious thought. I did try a couple of them in B&W, but didn’t like them; I think sepia appeals more to me – I may give that a go and see what it looks like.
April 4, 2012 @ 9:21 pm
I think this is a really strong set of images Gilly. I wouldn’t change anything in processing, though it may be worth revisiting the scene at different times and in different lights. If it was me I’d try with a normal lens also, even if only just to compare the two and try to understand why one set appeals to you so much more than another. But these are minor points: in general I’d say just keep doing what you are doing and follow your internal guide on this work.
April 5, 2012 @ 10:14 am
These are certainly different from your usual style Gilly. I agree with Eileen that this is a strong set, worth revisiting through different lens and times etc to see what more can be revealed about the house and your feelings towards it.
Please carry on with this.
April 5, 2012 @ 11:01 pm
What is it that appeals to us about houses and barns and old buildings that are left to decay? I asked a photographer friend that myself just the other day, and it is still a mystery to me. Your images here show the depths of sadness and neglect. And I begin to wonder if there are “places” within my self that I have also neglected, that need attention.
The image that made me react strongest is the one of the stuffed toy on the ground. The next one that ‘got me’ was the one showing the vines growing both inside and outside the house. Nature takes over what man ignores.
I like how you photographed this place. Slightly blurry around the edges, not neat and precise focus. It will be interesting to see if you choose to take more images on another day, and how those will look.
April 7, 2012 @ 1:50 pm
I enjoyed seeing these images. They are not pretty, but they do convey mood-and there are many moods and feelings. Exploring the ones that are not so much fun with a camera I think helps take the perhaps difficult struggle inside and put it outside. I know that’s the case for me. I like a good grungy shoot at times….sometimes too much I think. and I do know that feeling of keeping your eyes going in the back of your head.
Being in real estate I see homes like this. Maybe not in such bad repair-but even sadder when someone still lives inside and their lives have become broken. I hate to list homes like to sell, but feel that I’m helping someone at least take that burden off their shoulders. It’s a shame this woman won’t let go of this property she can no longer love or maintain. I like that you captured it….and hope it isn’t too difficult on your current home.
April 8, 2012 @ 12:56 am
Gilly, I think the images here do a wonderful job of depicting just what it is that this house makes you feel. As far as approach, my suggestion would be to continue to shoot what you feel about this house. I truly believe that our feelings are very visible in our images.
I truly enjoyed reading this post, and I wish you the very best in your continuing work photographing this house.
I look forward to seeing more.
April 9, 2012 @ 8:11 pm
There is something to very poignant about seeing a derelict house. I pass an abandoned glasshouse every week when I walk up from the station and last week, after looking at it for decades, it was removed. It feels like a part of my childhood has been lost. I do hope you are not going reliving too much trauma at the moment. x