Tag: abandoned barn

Exploring Emotion in Black and White Photography

Black and White photos, Interiors, Photography

This is one of my favorite challenges as I love black and white photography; it captures the essence of the topic in many cases, allowing viewers to focus on shape, texture, and emotion without the distraction of color. The interplay of light and shadow transforms ordinary scenes into dramatic compositions that tell a story. I am still returning to the burned down barn for this week’s Monochrome Madness and NovemberShadows, as it evokes images in my mind that nurtures my creative vision. Each revisit to the photos reveals new angles and perspectives as how to edit and capture its haunting presence, inviting me to experiment and refine my technique while deeply connecting with the subject matter.

An abandoned interior showcasing a stark contrast between light and shadow, emphasizing the textures of decaying walls and debris.

Here in these two sets of images and different frames, I’m checking out how the crop’s aspect ratio changes these images. It’s pretty interesting to think about whether cropping a photo to a square actually adds something to the mood compared to keeping it in its original rectangular shape weather it is landscape or portrait. This change can really shift the focus, often guiding the viewer’s eye to specific details more easily. But you’ve also got to wonder if this tighter framing means losing some important context or details, which could totally alter the story the photo tells. Cropping can either amp up the emotional punch or totally take it down a notch, so it’s definitely a key choice in the editing process that we need to think about.

I have to admit these are more black and white photographs than monochrome, but the rules are not too tight in these challenges.

An abandoned room filled with debris, showcasing the contrasts of light and shadow in black and white photography.
An abandoned corridor with stark black and white contrasts, showcasing the interplay of light and shadow in decay.
A haunting black and white photograph of an abandoned interior space, showcasing dramatic contrasts and urban decay.

A Charred Barn, A Photographer’s Paradise

Black and White photos, Captures from Finland, Photography

I’m still hanging out in the deserted barn in Veklahti, Kirkkonummi, which has been charred for years. Over the weekend, I found out that it’s a protected structure and that a film crew was on site—apparently shooting a war movie. This information was shared with me, though I haven’t verified it myself, but my source is trustworthy! 😀

A dimly lit, abandoned room cluttered with debris and shadows, featuring a door in the background illuminated by light.
A dimly lit hallway in a dilapidated building, featuring a doorway illuminated in the background.

The place is a photographer’s dream, and I have SO many shots to share! The views are absolutely stunning, with every angle offering something unique to capture. I really like these images, both in black and white and color, as they evoke different moods and feelings. I enjoy how the light streams in, illuminating the scene while shadows adds depth to each shot. Also, all the junk scattered around lets one’s imagination run wild, inspiring countless stories in one’s mind. There’s endless possibilities here that truly fuels creativity. Do you agree with me?

A dimly lit, cluttered hallway leading to a door, illustrating decay and neglect.

Sharing this with Becky’s NovemberShadows and Dan’s Thursday Doors

Lens-Artists Challenge #318: Finding Beauty in Unexpected Places

lens-artists

I am going forward with this quote in mind for this post, thanks for this one Patti. I find this an inspirational theme that resonates with me deeply, as it encourages us to look beyond the obvious and discover the beauty that surrounds us in everyday life. Your post has such inspired and unexpected finds that truly elevate the theme; there is such remarkable creativity in your photos, Each image tells a story, prompting us to appreciate the nuances that often escape our attention. It’s a beautiful reminder that art can emerge from the unlikeliest of places, urging us to open our eyes and hearts to the world around us.

Beauty is not content to be so narrowly defined, and moreover, it can not actually be found in what we see – but in how we choose or learn to see.

Daniel Smith

These photos are taken several years back from a burned down barn that has, following its demise, been vandalized and tagged with graffiti that tells a story of neglect and rebellion. The frame is a lovely brick, weathered by time and the elements, and the autumn scene viewed through the windows presents a stunning contrast to the charred and decaying interior. This juxtaposition of vibrant fall colors against the dark remnants of the barn creates a kind of beauty that is both captivating and thought-provoking, evoking feelings of melancholy, yet in no sense does it conform to traditional notions of aesthetic appeal. Instead, it invites the viewer to ponder the stories that linger in these spaces.

Here is a littel bit of the history of Vasikkasaari. it has a complex ownership history since 1787, originally shared by townspeople and Santahamina residents for grazing. A land dispute was settled in 1829 by the Lamanian court, granting the island to Santahamina’s inhabitants. By 1911, it was confirmed as state property after further disputes.

During Russian rule (1808-1917), the island housed large oil tanks for the Baltic Fleet, leading to its nickname “Dangerous Island.” After Finnish independence in 1918, Vasikkasaari was managed by the Central War Booty Department and later the Suomenlinna Coastal Artillery. A significant explosion occurred on February 8, 1919, destroying much of the island, leaving only one oil tank and pump station repairable.

Now, Vasikkasaari is a public outdoor and recreation area owned by the city of Helsinki.

Oil tank photographed this September.

In the southern part of the island there is a rusty, but still standing, moderately well-preserved old oil tank. It was emptied some years ago and the city removed the roof from it. Inside the tank, sounds bounce and rumble, and the platform sags.

Next week is Ann-Christine’s turn to host, so please visit her beautiful site Saturday 5th October.

Until then, keep on smiling 😀

If you want to know more about the Lens-Artists Challenge, please click here.

Posted for Patti’s Lens-Artists Challenge

Echoes of Time: The Forgotten Ruins

Captures from Finland

This is an old barn that at one point burned but the ruins are still standing. You are not supposed to enter the building, but as you can see, I am not the only one who has been there.

Posted for Dan’s Thursday Doors

Click one the images to get a better view.

Echoes of Time: The Forgotten Ruins

The whispers of history cling to the air like cobwebs, stands a relic of the past—a crumbling brick building. Its walls, once proud and sturdy, now bear the weight of time and neglect.

The focal point of the scene is the remnants of an arched brick structure. Each brick tells a story—a laborer’s sweat, a mason’s precision, and the dreams of generations. The arch, though weathered, still holds a hint of elegance, as if it once welcomed visitors with open arms. But now, it stands as a silent witness to the passage of time.

A door, stubbornly clinging to its frame, beckons me closer. Its dark brown hue suggests years of exposure to the elements. Now, it hangs askew, its wood softened by rain and sun.

Around the ruins, nature reclaims its dominion. Fallen leaves carpet the ground, their fiery hues contrasting with the gray of decay.

Above, an overcast sky weeps silently. It mirrors the melancholy of the scene below. Raindrops, like tears shed for lost memories, have etched patterns on the bricks. The clouds seem to mourn the passage of time, obscuring the sun that once bathed this place in warmth.

For even in decay, there is beauty—a quiet resilience that defies oblivion. And so, I leave the ruins behind, carrying their echoes within me, a witness to their silent tale.