What is it about old, decrepit buildings that are so attractive? For me, there are a number of factors that come into play that make old buildings great to photograph.
Firstly, of course is the visual side. Old buildings offer a range of textures and features that add interesting layers to a shot. Often, the materials used are more raw and exposed so wood grain and brick poke through and build depth. The rips and cracks in steel or where plaster has fallen away add more details that compound against one another to produce a matrix of points.
Old buildings and barns were usually built from a need and simplicity was a key factor in their construction. This means that they are minimalistic in their lines and combined with the material textures, adds a dissonance between concepts.
Then, there is the location itself. These building are normally out of the way a little and stand somewhat solemnly in their footings, resigned to a crumbling future, accepting of their neglected fate. Normally, in these areas there is no one around as for whatever reason, the need for the building has fallen away and it has been forgotten.
Lastly, there is the idea behind the building itself. People went to great effort to build these things, a lot of time, money and sweat was invested to get it up on site. It was built to fill a need, either for storage or service but in time, it got replaced.
Maybe the owners upgraded the facilities at another location, perhaps they moved in hard times, or chose to give up rural life for an apartment in the city. Whatever it is, an idea and investment that served an important function, now rots away, valueless.
I think that is a core reason I find them interesting to photograph. The idea that something once highly valued can become worthless is a stark reminder to my own thoughts. We all grow and develop in our thinking throughout our life and where we begin and add value in, may not be where we end and find valuable.
It is a continual movement of doing what is necessary to act for survival in the world, to stay relevant so as to remain useful and needed. To be valuable to the world we occupy.
At some point though, no matter what we once were, we are all forgotten.
Taraz
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Glamor shines from those old barns. I love those kinds of places. Like Yoda, they are full of mystery.
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You are right. Good way to put it.
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I am a sentimental person. I appreciate that which has been, and old memories and old buildings are no different.
Old structures do not need to be the most impressive - but they certainly can be. Their greatest worth does tend to be grounded in sentimentality and symbolism upon a greater scale.
A very nicely written post. :c)
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The sentimentality of it is interesting for they are not my buildings, I don't know its history but, it reminds me of mine.
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Every time I see an old building, I imagine that it once was a young dream. Someone was motivated to spend time, money, and effort to build it as part of their future vision. Thus their current state is a reminder that dreams frequently die.
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Or a young man's dream is naive and foolish.
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