Photo Safari 28 : Decay

vootie · Senior Site Admin Joined: Nov 12, 2001 Posts: 2062

The Photo Safari idea is a simple one:

* We post a visual theme here in the Digital Photography forum.
* You head out with your camera in search of expressions of that theme, as you encounter them in your world. Instead of hunting for big game, you're on the prowl for expressive photos.
* That's it. It's about all seeing, shooting and sharing the results with Graphics.com members and visitors to the forum. If you want to say a few words to about the imagery you've captured, so much the better. And, of course, by all means feel free to comment on contributions by other members.

If you haven't yet done so, please read the Digital Photography FAQ on how to post your images in the forum. And if you have any questions, feel free to ask them here.

The twenty-eighth Safari is about Decay. Strange theme for this festive time of year? Perhaps not. After all, decay is at the basis of all change, as the process that marks the transition from one state to another. Its presence reminds us that nothing is static, all is in perpetual change, constant evolution. So as one year ends and another begins, decay as we encounter it in nature or in the man-made world is just a reminder of forces greater than ourselves.

The inspiration for the theme came from an extract on Graphics.com from Decay, a book of photographs and essays published recently by Mark Batty Publisher. You could start your Safari there and then take a side-trip to the Photos.com Philter Phrenzy 6, which invites you to create new images using seven of the texture photos included on a CD with the Decaybook. But don't get lost along the way--we look forward to seeing you back here soon.
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Eftelibra · Posted: Thu Dec 25, 2008 11:01 am Post subject:

When you think about it, going for a walk to photograph decay seems an odd thing to do on Christmas Day. But - that's what we did this morning.

Today's walk took us through woodlands and there was this lovely fallen log with fungi growing on it. Jos, I wish I had your eye for photography. I am sure you would have made much more of this than I did.

This one is a sad sight to me - abandoned Tennis Court with Bowling Green beyond. Now overgrown with saplings. Such a shame.

Not far from the tennis court is this fallen down building. No idea of its former purpose but it took a walk through a field where sheep graze to get this.

Old building at the edge of the woodland.

josvandel · Posted: Thu Dec 25, 2008 2:07 pm Post subject:

Wonderful decay Efte, and there's nothing wrong with your photographic eye!
That old building looks most intriguing, that could make a photo safari on it's own from the look of it. The tennis court and bowling green are interesting, makes you wonder how long it would take nature to totally reclaim all our proud little constructions and control.
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Eftelibra · Posted: Fri Dec 26, 2008 8:15 am Post subject:

Thank you Jos. You are very kind.

A lot of the problem comes from the fact that this camera has no optical viewfinder and although the LCD screen is big it is often difficult to see exactly what you are taking, especially in bright conditions. When the sun is out it is just a case of 'click and hope'. However, the credit crunch is causing prices to fall sharply so maybe this is the time to invest in a new camera.

Today is a beautiful sunny day although with an arctic wind, and we went for another walk in search of decay.

Once a thriving textile factory, now due to be demolished to make way for a supermarket.

Unfortunately the water slowly dripping from this broken pipe doesn't show up in the photo. The slow drip enhanced the feeling of decay.

The broken windows have allowed the pigeons to find shelter from the icy wind.

The window was too high up to see into so Tony held the camera up and took this without being able to see what he was doing. It shows that the pigeons have been residence for some time.

josvandel · Posted: Fri Dec 26, 2008 12:59 pm Post subject:

You have a 'feel' for this decay Efte.
This global crunch can be quite useful for bargains I imagine. Things aren't too bad here as yet, job losses haven't really started to happen. Hard to know how far and wide it will go, hopefully it will be like the 2K thing and just quietly go away...
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Boleyn · Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 3:08 am Post subject:

absolutely great pictures, Efte! I can't say which one I like most, maybe the tree with the fungi. really nice perspective on that one!

i don't consider it sad when nature reclaims it's own ground

sad is that people let builddings go to rack like that barn or shed or whatever it was. they'd better just tear it down!
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Eftelibra · Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 11:39 am Post subject:

Thank you Jos and Boleyn. I also like to see nature reclaiming its ground. It is lovely to see wild flowers growing where there was something ugly and man-made. It is always surprising when you live in a country like Britain where there seem to be so many rules and restrictions and health and safety considerations, that ruins like that old barn are allowed to be left.

Anyway - today we went for a drive into Wales. It has been a beautiful sunny day, with freezing temperatures and we actually slid on the ice when we stopped to take this photo. I did see an even better partly fallen building earlier, but unfortunately the driver (Tony) would not stop.

Hiroshige · Mostly harmless Joined: Jul 30, 2007 Posts: 65

Great shots! Love that pealing paint texture. And that V on the entrance to the burnt out Tudor inn(?) is just awesome! The text underneath it looks blackletter.

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wildbearchocolate · Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 11:40 pm Post subject:

Oh...Efte! That's such a sad building!
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josvandel · Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 1:02 am Post subject:

It looks like something from Harry Potter, with the bird sitting above the V and all...

(note to self: I'll have to seek out some decay)
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thebags · Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 4:24 am Post subject:

I agree Jos ... This would make a great location for them to shoot Harry Potter. Perhaps Efte should send J K Rawling this picture along with details on how to get there.
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Boleyn · Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 5:02 am Post subject:

WHAT? THAT'S WHERE THEY SHOT HARRY POTTER? OH DEAR...
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wildbearchocolate · Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 11:10 pm Post subject:

HARRY POTTER WAS SHOT?!?!?

Call the paramedics!!!

*swoons*
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josvandel · Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2009 12:57 am Post subject:

Harry Potter?
Who the hell is that?
(I haven't read the books, but had the misfortune to sit through a movie).
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thebags · Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2009 3:59 am Post subject:

You are ALL sooooo funny!!!!!

And Jos ... if you haven't read the books you can't pass judgement just from seeing one movie. The books are so much better. Having read them all ... I think I fill in the blanks when watching the movies. There is no way they could put it all into a movie without making each movie 12 hoours long.
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