More Photographs from a quirky piece of American History.
Sequels are not just a trend in movies, they happen in photography too. Many photographers revisit locations that attract and continue to interpert them creatively. When I photographed the Abandoned White Hill Mansion months ago, I felt I had finished that project. At least that was until I had the pleasure of leading photography workshops there. It’s fun for me and a great fund raiser for the Friends of White Hill Mansion whose mission is to preserve the building and its history. In a previous blog post I wrote about the history and showed photographs from the mansion.
The photographers who attend these workshops are are an interesting lot. Some bring props and costumes to create scenes, and others are interested in photographing the decay. They use everything from smartphones to professional cameras and lighting to accomplish this. Being around all these creative people, I couldn’t help but be inspired to see White Hill Mansion with a different eye. I normally do not photograph while leading workshops for other photographers, but the last two groups at the mansion encouraged me to join in. Here are the results, or my sequel to the Abandoned White Hill Mansion project.
White Hill Mansion Parlor Details by Richard Lewis 2018
White Hill Mansion Cistern by Richard Lewis 2018
View From An Attic Window by Richard Lewis 2018
White Hill Mansion Attic Rooms by Richard Lewis 2018
Second Floor Mantel Detail by Richard Lewis
If Wyeth Went To White Hill by Richard Lewis 2018
Photography is full of opposing views that are both right. One of those is whether it’s better to photograph alone or in groups with well made arguments for both sides. I tend to be a loner when it comes to photography as it helps me bond with the environment I’m in. Although the few times I have photographed with groups has not been disappointing, because there is a nice synergy that can happen in a group creative people.
The featured photograph in this post, “If Wyeth Went To White Hill” was directly inspired by fellow photographer Kim Brown. She created a beautiful abstractly composed photograph on one of my workshops. Abstract compositions of real places were the hallmark of artist Andrew Wyeth who has been a big influence in my work. After clicking the shutter to create this image, I felt a little pat on my back. Was it one of the famed White Hill Mansion ghosts, or the spirit of Wyeth himself? Maybe it was just a breeze from this drafty abandoned building.
Enjoy
Learn More About My Photography Workshops
See More Photographs of Abandoned Buildings
Great photos! I love all the details!
Thanks Bonnie. You were one of the people that inspired these photographs.
When I first looked at the top photo I thought “that looks like a Wyeth”. Then I read the aptly named title below. Great shot my favorite of this group.
Thanks. I’m glad you noticed the Wyeth influence. The view down that hallway just screamed his name.
Richard, Great images here. I love the geometry in some of these shots, elements coming together for great compositions. Some I think would also make some great black and white studies.
It’s fun to look at these 3 dimensional spaces and convert them to 2 dimensional designs. I will try to look at some of these as black and whites. If I come up with anything good, I’ll post it on Facebook. Thanks for the suggestion.
I see someone got his groove on… your separation of space and use of “Wyeth” like pallets make viewing these pics fresh and original. I still have a hard time re-visiting a site… not sure why but by being exposed to your work and others, sure does pull at my creative urges!!!
Thanks for the kind words. I think revisiting places is a personal preference. There isn’t a right or wrong opinion. Me, I enjoy the challenge of finding something new when I’m at a place more than one time.
Super!
Thank you Rajiv.
Great Images as always, Thank you for sharing them!
Thanks Tom, I appreciate your compliment.
Love the geometry in these images … wonderful work (as always)!
Thanks Denise. Hanging around with all those creative people made me think very differently about photographing abandoned places.