No Tears Were Shed

April 26, 2019
by Michael Scandling
comments 28
California / Landscape / Monochrome / Photo Log / Photography

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April 11, 2019. Mojave Desert west of Lancaster, California. Cause of death of this once proud (okay, probably never proud) shed was most likely neglect. But it might have been electrocution. We’ll never know. It is a little too close to some menacing power lines as it sits forlornly by the road that leads to the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve. So there’s that. This photo is possibly the first time in a long time that anyone paid any attention to it.

I rarely venture into the world of monochrome. I leave that to the experts. But monochrome seemed appropriate here for a couple of reasons, one of which is that this is the obvious genre to prove that not all decrepit buildings are on the High Plains of Texas.

Which leads me to the following: If you want to see some really excellent monochrome photography, you’ll enjoy exploring the work of Melinda Green Harvey of Lubbock, Texas.

She has two different photography blogs. Check them both:

https://melindagreenharvey.com

https://thepoetryofphotography.wordpress.com

Let me — and her — know what you think.

(Nikon D850, Tamron SP 24–70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2. RAW processing in DxO PhotoLab 2.2; Editing in Adobe Photoshop.)

The Author

California based fine-art photographer featuring abstract, impressionist, and minimalist seascapes — near and distant — and floral-based images. Fine-art photography can be seen at www.amagaphoto.com All original images on this blog are copyright 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 Michael Scandling. All rights reserved. No images on this site may be copied, duplicated, reused, published, or re-purposed in any way without express permission from the copyright owner, Michael Scandling.

28 Comments

  1. Ms. Liz says

    I find the old shed interesting but the powerlines and pylons in a desert setting very dreary and forlorn! (There’s no shortage of power infrastructure down here in the south of New Zealand but they run through farmland where there’s plenty of plant and animal life). With the infrastructure out of it I think I’d enjoy this landscape.

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Michael Scandling says

      Unfortunately, the Southern California landscape is strewn with the infrastructure which goes haphazardly willy-nilly all over the place. That is part of the scene. And that’s why the shed looks so forlorn. At least one of the reasons. The other reason is nobody really cared.

      Liked by 1 person

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  2. Steve Gingold says

    In both cases I will have to visit a couple of times to figure out how I feel about her images. Certainly the majority appear to not be anything I would do. I think that is a good thing as it opens us up to more than what we envision on our own.
    I agree that this works well in monochrome. I don’t think color would express its broken down quality and the starkness of the scene…at least not as well.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
      • Steve Gingold says

        I’ll be looking again at both her sites. Although I love my subjects and how I treat them, there are times I feel stuck in a direction with blinders on. Thanks for pointing her work out.

        Like

      • Michael Scandling says

        I cast my net wide for inspiration. Even though it may affect my final work 1%, that’s 1% I would not have had otherwise. And sometimes it’s not even for inspiration; simply appreciation is fine enough.

        Liked by 1 person

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  13. cindynunn says

    I love this image! Desolation in black & white always has an impact and an ability to evoke emotion. Now following Melinda as well. Her photography is inspiring.

    Liked by 1 person

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