This Old House, Barn, or Silo

While Nature Photography has been my main focus (pun intended), there are other subjects that attract my attention as well.

For example, you may have seen the results of my photographing my jewelry creations (“Rings & Things”), but now we turn to old, falling-down, abandoned structures on the way to being re-claimed by Nature.

Some of my earliest memories involve exploring and checking out new houses under construction. Now, as a “Senior Citizen,” I find myself drawn to and poking amongst the rubble of those situations where the encroachment of Nature into the decaying works of Man can make for some exciting, dynamic, and novel juxtapositions.

I guess what I find most fascinating about this subject matter is that if the “re-configuration” of Nature by Man hasn’t been too severe, how Nature eventually overtakes the puny works oi Man and “wins” in the end.

Often there will be fences to be climbed (or as my old man used to say: “A fence can’t stop you; it can only slow you down”), or “No Trespassing” signs to be ignored. If you’re challenged, the fact that you’re doing photography may help to keep you out of trouble.

Falling-down farm buildings are an obvious choice, but just about any type of structure will do. The “Silo Interior” is a good example of this.

After checking outside possible compositions, see if it’s possible to enter the structure without risking life or limb; sometimes doors will be locked and windows boarded-up. More than once I’ve had to gain entry by climbing through a window. Recently I had to work out a way to get to the second story without stairs.

Once inside, be damn careful: it could be more than embarrassing to go through rotten flooring. Sometimes you might encounter animal occupants. Move slowly and carefully, always keeping an eye on where you’re stepping. Not a bad idea to be up to date with your Tetanus shot. Afterwards, check yourself for ticks. For the most part I’m looking for door and window compositions that frame the outside world. My camera (Canon G-12) has a built-in level and grid and I use them. All hand-held.

Warren Krupsaw, a one-time student (and house guest) of Ansel Adams is a nature photographer concentrating on landscape & detail. After participating in the first year of a new graduate program in Photography at M.I.T. with Minor White, he earned his M.F.A. in Photography under Harry Callahan at the R.I.S.D. in 1968.
Gallery: http://www.pbase.com/thekrupgallery
Book: Portraits of Passion and Other Dalliances

Photo-Escapism / Photo Therapy

Okay, let’s face it: What I do, and have been doing for a number of years now, could fairly be described as Photo-Escapism. That is to say, as a sensitive human being and therefore only too aware of all of the (seemingly increasing) Sorrow, Pain, Negativity, Inequality, and Environmental Degradation of today’s world, my response is to grab my camera and search out the beauty in some detail of Nature or some idealized scene as a kind of alternative response to despair and modern alienation.

Many years ago I started off naive and idealistic enough thinking my photography might make a difference in showing people the beauty of the world they were in the process of destroying. But by now I’ve pretty much given up on that, seeing the way things are going, and leaving aside any delusions of making such a difference, as I might have once had, I just try to create strong images to please myself (and hopefully others who enjoy my work). One of my teachers (Minor White, 1908-1976) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1966, taught us that if you can quiet yourself down enough to make a connection with the subject, and everything else is just right, the resulting image can be therapeutic; that is my goal.

Oftentimes in our lives, our choices are limited. Photography (and especially “Photo-Escapism”) is ALL about making choices: Subject Selection & Treatment. Finally, a part of your life where you do have some control!

Remember now, I’m not trying to paint any other photographer with this particular brush, but only to provide some insight into the how and why behind my work.

So there you have it. Sorry I can’t be more up-beat and sanguine about the future, but that’s how it is for me. Since there is beauty all around us and terrible things too, I think I’ll continue to “focus” on The Beauty.

All mineral specimens in this post are from the world-class Victor Yount Collection.

Warren Krupsaw, a one-time student (and house guest) of Ansel Adams is a nature photographer concentrating on landscape & detail. After participating in the first year of a new graduate program in Photography at M.I.T. with Minor White, he earned his M.F.A. in Photography under Harry Callahan at the R.I.S.D. in 1968.
Gallery: http://www.pbase.com/thekrupgallery
Book: Portraits of Passion and Other Dalliances