Sunset At The Old Cabin by Richard Lewis 2013
One winter evening, I came upon this old cabin in the New Jersey Pine Barrens by accident, resulting in the image above. For some reason I keep feeling the need to return and see it in different light and at different times of the year. As an added benefit, I recently was given access to the property by the landowner. The first two images were taken with my telephoto lens from a distance. They are now supplemented with a wide angle lens from close up.
The cabin is an odd structure, even for the Pine Barrens. It is a hodgepodge of building materials and as small as it is, the cabin is half barn and half living space.
Old Cabin in the Pines by Richard Lewis 2014
The Old Driveway by Richard Lewis 2015
Back Of The Old Cabin by Richard Lewis 2015
Back Of The Old Cabin by Richard Lewis 2105
What started out as a simple discovery and a single photograph has turned into a series. If I have learned anything from this and some other projects (the Scranton Lace Company), is that rather than excelling at documentary photography, I tend to want to record things artistically. I don’t really want to document the way a photojournalist would.
I photographed every room I could get to in this cabin, but only one looked like it was something I wanted to share. The last photograph above shows how the little cabin was built or patched with an odd assortment of materials and how it is deteriorating. Artistically, the photograph also shows a play of light and shadow and how moss growing on a concrete floor can look oddly like a strange green shag carpet. The latter two things is why I love photography and this particular photograph.
Enjoy
Like the colors and reflection of Winter Evening.
My favorite too Ralph. It was my first image and if I stopped there it probably would have been fine.
Wonderful location and superb images!
Thanks, I appreciate the compliment!
The pictures are amazing. This cabin reminds me of an old shack that used to be on the right-hand side right before you got to LBI. I Remember taking a picture of it and emailing it to friends saying this is our house and them laughing. It was so long ago I forget why the joke was funny but had to do with wherever we were living at the time. I think it was when we were living in Custer city, PA.
I wonder how old this cabin is? What a shame it is falling apart.
Sent from Ina’s iPad. Desire sets our compass, real life steers our course.
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Thanks Ina. I think the cabin you are referring was an old fishing shack that we lost in one of the hurricanes. I’m not sure about the history of the cabin. Simple structures like this are hard to date. It was probably built in somewhere between the 1940’s and 1960’s.
Rich is correct (see below) that it was an old fishing shack and that it was wiped out by Sandy in 2012. Here are some images and narrative: https://bergiesplace.wordpress.com/2013/07/09/gone-but-not-forgotten/
Thanks Ralph for your information and clarification. You definitely are an expert on that area of the Jersey Shore.
A superb photoset, I especially like the top photo. Just gorgeous
Thanks, I really appreciate it. That image was my first one and although I’ve been there several times since, the results have not been as good. They all seem to just play a supportive role.
This could run and run
Thanks Derrick. I appreciate your comments, as always.
Nicely done as usual Rich.
Thanks John. That means a lot coming from you.
Ya gotta love old places and especially new finds. For me stumbling upon new sights can present angst, confusion and sometimes a “now what”. Happy to see none of that came out in your compositions.
When walking into new and unknown place I feel that same confusion. So much to see and take in. But then you relax and that artist’s muscle memory takes over. That’s the zone we all love to be in and your works shows many visits to that zone.
Hey! That’s an award winner and wonderful follow-up images that show going back to the same place in different seasons and light can help to create totally different images. The green carpet in your last image looks as if it is growing. Super post!
Thanks Denise. Nice to hear from you. Thanks for making that first photo an award winner. You did judge that one right?
Your pine barrens stuff is really something else, I absolutely love these shots.
Wow, great photos from the Pine Barrens of Jersey, As a kid growing up in Philly, we would pass through vast stretches of the PB section of South Jersey on our way to the seashore. How well I remember peering out the car window at places just like the one. What a fascinating exploration through these gorgeous photographs. Keep up the great work!
Steve Stahley
Thank you Steve. I appreciate you comment. The Pine Barrens are a fascinating place in many ways. I’m glad you enjoyed the results of my explorations.