Holmes County: Old Farm Buildings Part 2

Holmes County, Ohio Part 2 includes an abandoned farm that was most recently owned by an Amish farmer. The first 6 photos are from that farm. Portions of siding are missing from the barn – probably an act of vandalism.

The last two photos show the house and part of the farmland near Shreve where my grandparents lived until 1958. When I look at the house, I can imagine my beloved Grandmother walking to the garden behind the house to cut rhubarb or pick beans. The outside of the house and yard has changed little since those days, except for new construction on the right side of the house. Obviously a fresh coat of paint would make the house look better. The last photo is a small part of the view from the yard. The view has not changed. I think that is remarkable and wonderful!

Holmes County: Old Farm Buildings Part 1

My recent trip to Ohio included visiting back roads in Holmes County. The textures of rust and faded paint were everywhere at the abandoned or nearly abandoned farms I discovered. I especially enjoyed photographing the windows and doors of old houses. I always wonder if the original residents had a happy life there so many years ago.

The turkey vulture photo was a bit disappointing. The location is a wide valley that was formerly a wetland. Turkey vultures perched all over the driftwood, but we startled them when we traveled the unpaved road and all but two flew away.

I will post Part 2 photos from Holmes County soon!

Vintage Charm in Ashland County

Designs on antique window frames, peeling paint, and rusted metal are the vintage elements I love to discover and photograph.  Our recent trip to my home state of Ohio included visits to back roads and small towns where I was fortunate to find some favorite photography subjects. I especially enjoyed discovering the beautifully detailed vintage house. It is currently under renovation and will eventually be a focal point on a quiet street near downtown Ashland.

We were fortunate to have good weather and a little more time than usual during our stay in Ohio. I was able to visit other rural areas in the north central part of the state and will be posting those photos soon.

Amish Farm Scenes

Amish farms are found throughout Ashland County, Ohio. Typically, Amish farmland and buildings are well maintained, even though residents do not use electricity from the grid or own motor vehicles. Power for the household is generated by windmills and gasoline generators. Teams of horses pull wagons and equipment for planting and harvesting crops.

My goal for this set of photos is to explore the beauty of the farms and to respectfully meditate on this antiquated farming community. I was careful not to overtly photograph the faces of the Amish, since they adhere to the scriptural admonition to avoid “graven images”. And they simply do not want to draw attention to themselves by posing for photos. How the Amish live and conduct themselves interests me, but I neither idealize nor judge their lifestyle.

All photos: Canon 60D.

Click on each photo to enlarge and see details.

ISO

Amish farmhouses are usually large and have an early 1900′s look. A row of rhubarb plants can be seen in the foreground.

ISO 640, 50mm, f/13, 1/640.

This Amish farmer is harvesting corn by hand; bundling the stalks and stacking them neatly. His young children are along for the ride.

ISO 500, 100mm, f/18, 1/125.

This plain house with rustic fence posts made a lovely setting when viewed from the road.

ISO 500, 100mm, f/18, 1/125.

I found these milk cans at the end of a narrow lane. Amish dairy farm practices are definitely old-style.

ISO 640, 100mm, f/18, 1/160.

I enjoyed seeing the charming display of  hand-lettered signs! (I altered the address on the mailbox to respect the resident’s privacy.)

ISO 640, 100mm, f/18, 1/200.

Hand sewn Amish clothing carefully hung to dry in the sun. Plain styles and colors are traditional.

ISO 100, 50mm, f/6.3, 1/320.

A charming produce stand next to a township road. We selected some items and drove down the lane to deliver the money. We saw five or six smiling children working in the garden. They were all carrying baskets full of vegetables!

ISO 400, 100mm, f/18, 1/125.

Interesting to see the items and services for sale at this Amish residence.

ISO 100, 50mm, f/7.1, 1/400.

A young woman and child enjoying a ride in the autumn sunshine.