Abandoned House, Detroit
November 25, 2007 | 15 Dhul-Qadah 1428
Once boasting some of the grandest houses to be found, so many of Detroit’s former “mansions” lay in ruin. There are spots where one can drive for blocks or perhaps even miles and witness only decay. Many have fallen victim to fire or been ravaged by scavengers looking to make a few pennies off of stripping it of all metals such as the copper wiring or plumbing. Several of the houses were occupied by the homeless or other drifters with the occasional junk yard dog that could pose a formidable challenge to shooting. If memory serves, this was near Brush Park. Hasselblad 501 C/M, Ilford Delta 400. Tripod.
November 29th, 2007 at 7:19 pm
This is such a dramatic image of urban decay. The design almost looks like a new urbanist gentrification project. You have a great ability to capture American cities with your camera…or at least Philly and Detroit. Maybe you need to try some more upbeat locations, akh!
Detroit has always had this sinister and apocalyptic feel to me (though I’ve never been there), partly because of how it’s portrayed in film, but partly because it really is the ultimate example of a gutted American city. It is amazing to think that Detroit was a place of migration not too long ago. It’s like everything in America is on 20 or 30 years cycles. Many suburban landscapes that were idyllic in my youth have now started to decay. And even relativley new subdivisions are falling apart with the housing crisis. What will those places be like in 20 years? Or maybe we just need Robocop to sort it out.
Anyway, after I discover oil in my mother’s backyard, I would like to commission you to produce a photo volume on American cities.