A while ago In my post “Slice of Uncivilization” I introduced my Grandparents trailer. When I looked those Images I felt the need to continue to photograph That place. It’s always been an escape from the busy life for my grandparents, a place where the only thing they really have to worry about is how many cars go down the road each day which you can usually count on one hand. It has also been a place for my uncles and cousins to hunt and go four-wheeling and just enjoy being in the middle of nowhere. Until recently I have only been there a handful of times due to the fact that it’s about five hours away from my home and there is a general discomfort with hunting on my mothers part. However I’ve taken an interest in photographing this place in order to discover what makes it so special to my grandparents. When they are there they seem happy. they walk about completing their little tasks that may or may not actually need to be done but they enjoy filling their time with picking blueberries or tinkering with the tractor or cleaning out the birdhouses etc… last quarter I made a book of Pictures I took while participating in opening day of Rifle season for Deer. I was very happy with how It came out. Alex Broderick helped me layout the book and she completed it by binding it into a beautiful hardcover book. we called it “Bryant Hollow”.
Since completeing the book I decided I want to do more so I’m making the trip down there whenever possible. This image is from the last trip. I’m hoping to create a series of books like volumes of a photo album.
I found this cow as I was hiking around, My guess is it just couldn’t last the winter and the farmer hadn’t found it yet.
My last trip down was my first time there alone. I was the first one to go since the fall when it had been winterized. In the process of turning on the electric and the well pump I flooded the bathroom. It was a half inch deep before I realized there was a cracked waterline.
I don’t know when my grandparents will make it back to the trailer. My grandfather doesn’t seem to be bouncing back from his latest cancer treatment. My grandmother is moving slow after her knee surgery.
As I photograph This place more and more I think I’m connecting with them more by gaining a strong appreciation this place that seems to represent exactly who they are. In many ways these photographs make the trailer look like more than it is but maybe that’s what’s so intruiging about it.
Let me know your thoughts…
DAVE! These are beautiful. The last one is perfect. I really don’t even know what to get nitpicky about to even suggest criticism.
DAVE! These are beautiful. The last one is perfect. I really don’t even know what to get nitpicky about to even suggest criticism.
Dave-
The cow is stunning. Actually the first three images in sequence are great. I love the juxtaposition. It makes me think about where exactly things go when they “die”…what uses they have, etc. Real beautiful stuff.
Dave-
The cow is stunning. Actually the first three images in sequence are great. I love the juxtaposition. It makes me think about where exactly things go when they “die”…what uses they have, etc. Real beautiful stuff.
For the most part, I think that these non-portraits are more thought out and successful than the ones I saw from the first trip. Maybe being able to spend time there alone allows you to slow down and make some great photographs. The photograph of the cow is pretty amazing. It almost blends into the ground. I think that one, the one below it of the deer feet and the last one of the house work really well.
For the most part, I think that these non-portraits are more thought out and successful than the ones I saw from the first trip. Maybe being able to spend time there alone allows you to slow down and make some great photographs. The photograph of the cow is pretty amazing. It almost blends into the ground. I think that one, the one below it of the deer feet and the last one of the house work really well.
Dave,
I think all of them are great, and I agree with Nate. Its nice to get more of a setting, and see the kind of environment this place is.
And the little glimpses of stories are cool too. You should practice writing them, because it might be a great way to supplement the images.
Dave,
I think all of them are great, and I agree with Nate. Its nice to get more of a setting, and see the kind of environment this place is.
And the little glimpses of stories are cool too. You should practice writing them, because it might be a great way to supplement the images.