Forgotten Fogo Island "saltbox" house

[camperbc]

Here's a couple shots of a very old and long-abandoned, traditional "saltbox" house beside our home here on Fogo Island, that I took yesterday during one of my rare outside excursions. I am a bit surprised that this old relic is still standing, after all the havoc caused by Hurricane Igor recently. They must have built things tougher in the old days!

I shot these handheld with my Sony Alpha and 18-55mm SAM lens.

My apologies for my long absences from the forum, but I've been flat on my back almost always for the past few months. I am now trying a new medication to handle the pain, and am hoping for good results.

Just so you all know, I still lurk daily on here, though it is almost impossible to type while on my back; thus the lack of comments to all of your wonderful photos. Keep all the lovely pictures coming!

Glen
http://www.FocusOnNewfoundland.com

[David Kilpatrick]

Glen, back in the days I worked on Photo Technique (or just before, because at first they just used photos) I found an old clapboard house like this in Wales. I had a 17mm lens and with a cirrus sky, I got a shot which was published several times in mags and competitions. Photo Technique liked the w/a stuff so much they commissioned an article (Minolta Mirror also commissioned one on using ultrawides) and I started as an Associate Editor.

This shot reminds me of that, except it's better by some way than mine. The sky is as good as you could hope for in terms of providing ovals to contrast with the triangle of the house, and the white boards simplify the tones perfectly. I'd call this a classic monochrome shot.

Hope you are able to stay comfortable, here in Scotland we have all the wooden shutters closed inside, they are promising -5 and freezing fog, and no sunshine to make the result look photogenic. Any building lke that would have rotted here. Sometimes salt air can help harden off wood so it doesn't rot.

David

[Dr. Harout]

Beautiful shots with more beautiful skies. Get well.
Am I sort of relaxed that our buildings and houses here are all of solid stones...

[camperbc]

Thank-you for your kind words regarding these images. I feel I have a bit of an advantage due to Fogo Island's unique scenery and subject matter; it's indeed difficult to take a bad photo here.
You may be right about salt air preserving the wood, as many of these houses (including this one) have been standing for well over a century, withstanding brutal weather conditions.
I would LOVE to see that clapboard house picture you refer to!
Thanks again,
Glen

[bakubo]

Glen, very nice! I especially like the first one.

Best of luck to you and I hope you get well soon.

[Greg Beetham]

Good stark contrasty shot Glen, the house looks in pretty good shape for the age, it needs a scrapedown and some paint though. It's probably similar too the old weatherboard (clapboard) house I'm in. Way back then they didn't have galvanized nails, just plain steel ones, so the only protection the fasteners had was paint and putty, once that deterioates the steel nails can rust then the boards get loose. I had too re-nail (galvanized) an entire wall here (not far from the sea as well), had to pilot drill every one, the old hardwood studs had gone too hard to drive a nail into.
Greg

ps. Sorry to hear about the bad back, they can't do anything?

[aster]

Hello Glen, : )

I regret that you have to suffer so much because of your back! Wishing for a miracle for your health all the way from out here! My prayers are for you.

Almost all is said nicely of your latest addition of photos. I have little to add but the charm of Fogo Island seems to go on and on forever; there's always a new and different light and weather condition that offers premises for new shots. Very fortunate for us all that you reside in the hearts of that piece of land!

Get well soon!

Yildiz

[camperbc]

I can sure relate to your attempts to nail siding onto your house. I had the same trouble here; next to impossible to drive a nail into our walls!
As for my spinal issues, it has been six years of countless tests, doctors, surgeons, specialists of every kind, but sadly, all I can do for it is to take very potent narcotic pain killers, it seems I will just have to live with it. Sure sucks though!
Glen

[camperbc]

Thank-you so much for your well-wishes regarding my health Yildiz; very much appreciated!
Thanks also for your nice comments about my photographic work. I believe that I have a bit of an advantage though, as it is next to impossible to take a bad picture here, surrounded by all of this rugged and pristine beauty!

[Dusty]

Great picture, Glen.

I hope they come up with a good solution for your back pain.

Dusty

[Birma]

Hi Glen - the first shot is a cracker. It puts me in mind a little bit of the house in the film "Shipping News" with Kevin Spacey (I think?).