Three out of four isn't bad, right? We all have our favorite places and this is one of mine. I pass this old barn almost every day and its elegant, simple utilitarian architecture calls to me. Recently, I photographed the barn in the early Spring and realized that I now have images of it in three of the four seasons. Summer is absent because the barn [...]
Nike missiles go viral (sort of) My blog post about the former Nike missile site in Lumberton New Jersey received an overwhelming response. Not only did this post receive as much traffic in a few days as my blog gets in an entire year, the people who are contacting me about it are different than my usual blog followers. In addition to the [...]
Through the overgrown property I saw the remains of a stylish 1960’s building with a repeating decorative concrete arched roofline. It’s a bit strange to see a relatively new building in such terrible shape.
Honoring and Preserving a Cold War Legacy When passing through the idyllic and peaceful countryside around Lumberton, New Jersey, one would never expect to come across a fearsome relic of the Cold War. Yet, until recently, just outside of town, were the remains of a Nike missile battery built in 1956 and designated with the catchy name PH-23/25. In the 1950's and 60's the army built [...]
Creepiness in a Not-So-Old and Abandoned Home Old and abandoned buildings are usually a ruin that results from age and abuse. Damage from water, mold, deterioration, and vandalism is commonplace and expected when entering one. I recently photographed an old bungalow that was a bit different. Parts of the home were in pretty good shape. A little time with a broom and mop would make the place [...]
Strange, Surreal, and Fantastic Light in the Arizona Desert I'm going to depart from the rust, mold and decay of the abandoned places I've been photographing this Fall and return to our Arizona trip in October. This post reflects my first morning in the Copper State. Every now and then a photographer is blessed with an amazing sunrise or sunset. I had an [...]
More photographs from Pennhurst, the "Shame of Pennsylvania" Pennhurst Deteriorated Exterior by Richard Lewis 2015 Pennhurst Asylum by Richard Lewis 2015 Pennhurst Wheelchair by Richard Lewis 2015 Pennhurst Day Room Couch by Richard Lewis 2015 Rags and Deterioration by Richard Lewis 2015 Pennhurst Medication Dispensary by Richard Lewis 2015 [...]
Photographing the Pennhust Asylum In the little town of Spring City, Pennsylvania are the remains of a place that is considered the Shame of Pennsylvania. In the early 1900's, a state run asylum was built to house "feeble-minded" children which was called Pennhurst. Overcrowding, neglect and abuse of the mentally and physically disabled patients at that asylum was common place and eventually the [...]
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 [...]
An Urban Wasteland in the Middle of the New Jersey Pinelands. Brooksbrae Brick Factory 1 by Richard Lewis 2015 Brooksbrae Brick Factory 2 by Richard Lewis 2015 Brooksbrae Brick Factory 3 by Richard Lewis 2015 Brooksbrae Brick Factory 4 by Richard Lewis 2015 No matter how long I live in the New Jersey Pine [...]
Old and Abandoned Trains on A New Jersey Trail Old Train Car 1 by Richard Lewis 2015 Old Baggage Car 1 by Richard Lewis 2015 Overgrown Train Car by Richard Lewis 2015 The bicycle is as big a part of my life as my camera and hiking boots, but when one rides a bike, it is good [...]
Photographing the Past While Remembering Mine Scranton Lace Company Loom by Richard Lewis 2015 I recently attended a workshop led by one of the master photographers of abandoned places, Matthew Christopher, at the old Scranton Lace Company in Pennsylvania. The Scranton Lace Company was established in the 1890's and remained in business until 2003. It is a massive, once thriving, complex [...]
Visiting an Historic Jail in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania I may be the only photographer in my area not to have photographed the historic Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In an effort to express my own photographic voice, I tend to shy away from the more popular places for photographers... and this is a very popular place. However, when my friend and amazing photographer, Pat Worley, invited [...]
Finding peace in a place known as the Pine Barrens Summer Sunrise by Richard Lewis 2015 3 Cedars in the Early Evening by Richard Lewis 2015 Life has kept me from this blog recently. The one overwhelming event was passing of my Mother-In-Law. She was 92 and in poor health so it was not unexpected. Still, it is always a [...]
More from the 2015 New Jersey History Fair. It's been a while since my last post. More on that in the near future. Until then here are some more portraits of re-enactors from various periods of times that played their roles at the New Jersey History Fair in the spring. These folks are from various wars throughout our American history. The Aid [...]
Discovering the Beauty of Amelia and Big Talbot Islands Although I've never been a big fan of Florida, I am there frequently due to business commitments. Maybe it's the climate, but this state just doesn't resonate for me visually. Sometimes I wouldn't even even bring a camera to Florida. Why bring one if there is nothing interesting to photograph, right? This is contrary to my opinion [...]