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 Photographing Abandoned Houses
I have started photographing old abandoned houses this past fall, and I am always surprised as to what I find in some of them. I’ve found that the Ilford HP5 gives me good contrast between the light and shadows that I want. I usually don’t go inside the houses, many of them look pretty unstable, although so far I have been lucky to be able to find a broken window or two I can poke my camera through and get some great shots. Here I will show some of my photos, and what I did to get that shot. As you will see, I used the same camera, a Canon EOS Rebel 2000, same film and pretty much the same lens, a 35-80mm. I’ve found something that works for me, and I stick with it. You can photograph these houses in color also, and I’ve done that to a few of them, but I prefer to shoot them in B&W. I don’t use flash when I photograph the houses; I want to capture them in the light that’s coming through the windows. So this usually means longer exposure time (slower shutter speeds). And I usually use an f/stop of about f/16 because I want good Depth-of-field. Now I usually don’t use a tripod for this…I know, I know. I can just hear it now. But a tripod would limit me as to where I can go…especially in tight places. I find something sturdy to brace myself against. Usually my shutter speeds aren’t any slower than 1/15 sec. So I can still hand hold it pretty steady with some help from a tree or window opening, and if I don’t drink too much coffee.
One thing to remember about walking around these old houses is to watch your step. Many of these places may have open wells or large holes that you might step in and get hurt. So be on the look out. Also be aware of your surroundings and smells. Yes, I said smells! For example, if you smell a skunk…RUN!!! I was photographing and house one day and the closer I got to the other side of the house, the stronger the smell got. So I figured it was time for me to go. A skunk is an abandoned houses guard dog. So please be careful, many animals make these houses their home.
When I look through these houses to find great shot, I often think to myself, what kind of people lived in this house, what kind of live went on here? Was there happiness or sadness? Did children play in the rooms and have birthday parties? What was Christmas like in this house? At one time, this was someone’s home, and now it just sits, being neglected and exposed to the elements of nature. Now nature has made the house their home. Trees growing through the floors, small animals are raising their families in the houses now.
Abandoned Dreams
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Shot with a Canon EOS Rebel 2000 and Ilford HP5 400 film.
I used a Canon 35-80mm lens. Exposure was 1/15 @f/16.
I was so tickled when I pocked my head through a broken window and saw an old chair sitting in what would have been the living room. For this shot, I metered at a darker area of the room, so I could retain the detail in the whole image and especially in the wallpaper that was being exposed behind the chair. This was the house where I smelled that skunk…so I did a HURRY UP and got the shot and got myself out of there.
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Canon EOS Rebel 2000 and a Canon 35-80mm lens. Ilford HP5 400 film. Exposure was 1/30 @f/16. I metered the floor since there was so much light coming from the windows. This way I could retain all the detail in the floor and the walls. I used f/16 so the whole image would be in focus, from the rubble in the foreground to the back door.
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Looking Through
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The Sink
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Canon EOS Rebel 2000 and a Canon 35-80mm lens. Ilford HP5 400 film. Exposure was 1/15 @ F/16. You may be wondering why most of my exposures are about the same for most of these pictures, well, these exposures seem to work well for me. You may ask, “why aren’t you using a tripod for this slow of a shutter speed”, and that’s a good question. I probably should be, but I wouldn’t be able to get the shot I want, because I wouldn’t be able to lean through the windows. I try and find something I can lean against to steady myself. So far so good. For this shot I metered the ceiling, again to keep the details in the house visible.
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Same steps were done for the outside shot of the houses. I metered on a neutral subject, like the ground or a shadow area. Since this house was white, it would have given me a false reading, so I metered to the right where there was a shrub in the shade, locked in my reading, recomposed my shot and took the picture.
Canon EOS Rebel 2000 with a Canon 35-80mm lens. Ilford HP5 400 film. 1/125 @ f/11
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Watch Your Step
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Window Light
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Canon EOS Rebel 2000 and a Canon 35-80mm lens. Ilford HP5 400 film. 1/15 @ f/11. Same metering set up as the other indoor shots. I metered away from the light. Locked in my exposure, re-composed my shot and took the picture. If you aren’t able to lock in the exposure on your camera, just take a reading and remember what it says the exposure will be, and set it manually. Sometimes I do this also. It takes a little time, but the outcome is well worth it. |
Happy Shooting!
Vicki McLead © 2002
About the author:
I first got interested in photography when I was in High School. My Uncle, who was also a photographer, bought me my first real camera, although I was taking pictures before I ever had a camera.
Just in the past 5 years though, I was finally able to afford to by my 35mm camera equipment (Canon) and started shooting seriously. I mostly shoot nature, but also enjoy Macro, still life and fire photography, color and B&W. I have sold a few of my fire photos to a firefighter magazine (Firehouse Magazine). And have also had photos published in our local calendar. I live in Iowa with my husband (who is a firefighter), and have been married for 17 years. I am a member of the Sioux City Camera Club.
My favorite photographer would have to be Margaret Bourke White. I love her style of photography.
I like to photograph the beauty in everyday things, things that most people would overlook. There is a lot to see in the world, not all of it is landscapes, and pretty flowers. Some may just be the simplest things, you just have to know where to look and keep an open mind.
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© 2002 Vicki McLead
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Comments |
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Comment from Crystal Martin
Posted on: Feb 01, 2004 2:26pm
I've printed out your article for future reference as I'm new to photography and love old houses, in fact I live in one!! I received a Canon Rebel GII for Christmas with 28-80 lens, my first real camera. I still don't understand the technical aspects of photography (like what does "metering" mean?) but am reading as much on the subject as I can. Just recently joined this site, and have a few photos on shuttercity. Love your shots of old houses!
Comment from raquel manning
Posted on: Aug 15, 2004 9:22am
i am a wife and a mother of three boys (2, 3, and 9). we also have a dog. so i am in desprate need of getting out of my current situation( apartment). i have been trying to find out what it takes to take over an abandones house. there is one in particular that i am looking at right outside my complex i have contacted the city to get the property tax information, but so far the person paying the property tax has yet to contact me its been two weeks. i know an elderly lady use to reside there. someone is paying the taxes and i am interested in making this a home.
can anyone help me in this adventure to see what i can do to become this homes new owner. 404-932-2763 cell 404-534-1997 home
Comment from Jennifer
Posted on: Aug 22, 2004 9:56pm
The article and black and white photos of the abandoned houses are very interesting and I would like to see more of them!
Comment from amanda
Posted on: Dec 23, 2004 1:02pm
i would love to go and see and old abandoned house, how do i get started if you know what i mean?
Comment from Tony Hartley
Posted on: Jan 30, 2005 9:36am
I to love old abandoned houses. The ones I love to photograph and do oil paintings of are the old unpainted wooden structures mostly found in rural areas built back in the late 1700's and early 1800's. These structures if they could talk have many stories of early life and struggles and laughter. Abandoned of human life and fighting the elements of deterioration. Sometimes if you're fortunate you may find a graveyard nearby full of infants as well as adults that died much too early. Most of these houses that were once a home have been torn down of have fallen down. I have been fortunate to find only a couple. I am using a Sony 5.1 Cyber shot. It takes a college education to operate one which I don't have but I'm learning. I am excited to see someone else is drawn to these old historic creations.
Comment from Joel
Posted on: Mar 24, 2005 7:13pm
I have several interesting photos of an abandoned home that is over 200 years old. I would love to share them with anyone interested.
Comment from tim torosian
Posted on: Apr 24, 2005 5:32pm
I am interested in rehabbing these ab houses is there anything that I should know about your methods of finding them ,i am new to this and i am a city person, i thijng farm people know how to find theses houses easeir thank you , i loved your site tim 2626395548
Comment from katie
Posted on: May 25, 2005 12:50pm
For a very long time I have been fascinated by photography. Just recently I discovered abandoned places, and how beautiful they are. It took a drive in the country with my daughter to appreciate the real beauty of it.
Comment from Donna Jones
Posted on: Jun 06, 2005 12:53pm
I have begun to photograph old houses and I like to call them "Shut-ins" due to the fact that most often they are often found behind over grown weeds & trees block their view from the road. So now when I tell my friends and family about seeing a few "Shut-ins" they know that I am mentioning an abandoned house. I love going into the country here in Ky and I know there are tons of them.I think Shut-ins are so beautiful. I photogragh the insides of them as well. I don,t care if its hard to get to the porch, if its a shut-in I will get to the inside. I just have too. I love my shut-ins..get this after I photgraph the insides after I leave I always give the house a kiss and tell it I love it. I am thrilled that I found other folks who love them as well. Take Care.. and happy picture taking.
Comment from Jade Veylupek
Posted on: Jul 23, 2005 9:38pm
Yeah right by the way, I am deaf and fearless of the abandoned houses only if they are haunted houses. Because I won't able to hear the ghost's voice or anything like that as I grew up in the haunted house and saw the thing moving, but never seen any ghosts at all...for only 10 years. For your information, I smack the abandoned houses from 1700's to 1800's if they still have the old fashion tables,couches,rocking chairs and others in that abanddoned houses. I have always wanted to go in there in a real life than viewing the photos of the abandoned houses. I found two small abandoned houses in the Valley, but I don't know how old are these abanddoned houses? I dunno? Friend and I stopped by that houses as no one lives there. Just that we opened the old metal wire gate ,got in these houses and smelled so old...I found one real black and white picture of the lady in her 1920's dress something and beautiful. We continued looking around and made us want to move in these houses, but there is no poster or ?? like no phone numbers to contact the Real Estate. Nothing! Strange. That time we went in there during the hot day time. I also found the old toilet with black water in it. Gross! I had seen the cutest rooms in these houses with about 300 ft yards (both front and back). But the many trees are dead on the ground and dry too. I just couldn't leave the houses , but had to and drove all the way back here in Fullerton where I live. Could you please let me know if you willing to lead me around the abandoned houses for a real life. Okay? Thank you. Jade
Comment from anthony
Posted on: Nov 19, 2005 12:41pm
I am going to photograph some old abandoned and broken down houses tonight!
Comment from Abigail
Posted on: Nov 21, 2005 11:01am
hey about the deaf thing how can you hear the ghosts duh! anyway i am fasanated by your photography you are good but there is one thing that i don't like.When i find out that the photos they said were real turned out to be fake! Are theese ones fake be honest
Comment from canon 
Posted on: Nov 21, 2005 12:32pm
Abigail, These photos ARE real.
Comment from Abigail
Posted on: Nov 22, 2005 1:43pm
thankyou for replying but are you the photographer you see i am getting confused or are you just a person who replied thankyou very much
Comment from canon
Posted on: Nov 22, 2005 9:31pm
Yes Abigail, I am the Photographer that took these photos and wrote this article.
Vicki McLead (canon)
Comment from Keith
Posted on: Dec 13, 2005 12:28pm
Old abandoned houses are the best pieces to phtograph. Evrytime youll look youll see something diffrent. Theres lots were Im at, Ill post a website link later.
Comment from Sasha Ratkewicz
Posted on: Jan 01, 2006 3:32am
You have a good eye, I take pictures of old houses also, in Iowa. They are truely a part of history that is being neglected, good work, keep it up.
Comment from Sally
Posted on: Feb 03, 2006 11:48am
i think it is sick of you people to visit the abandondeded house with out informing the owners of the house you peolple make me sick
Comment from canon
Posted on: Feb 03, 2006 12:17pm
Sally, I am sorry you find that photograping abandonded houses "sick". Photographers have been doing this for years, it's a part of history a part of the past. Jus what is it that you fine "sick" about it. And just to let you know, the owners of the housed I photograph are informed that I am taking the photos, and they don't have a problem with it, so why do you?
Comment from Michele
Posted on: Feb 17, 2006 3:09pm
I currently live in East Texas where there are tons of old abandoned houses, barns, old gas stations, etc. I have been wanting to photograph them and also have been interested in the houses floor plans and how people in the 1700/1800s lived in these homes. I can't wait to get started.
Comment from HEATHER LOSSMANN
Posted on: Feb 21, 2006 1:57pm
i AM CURRENTLY DO A PROJECT OF ABANDONED HOUSES. i TOO USE HP5 AND FIND IT TO BE A GET FILM. i SOMETIMES USE THE DELTA 400. i HAVE BEEN LOOKING FO MORE PLACE TO GO TO BUT IN DONE KNOW WHERE TO START. i RECENTLY BOUGHT A CHEAP CAR JUST TO GET AROUND FOR THIS PROJECT, SO i WAS HOPING YOU CAN HEAD ME IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. i LIVE IN NY, PLEASE HELP. i LOVE YOUR WORK.
hEATHER
Comment from riles
Posted on: Mar 08, 2006 9:06pm
I have been taking photographs of old sharecroppers homes in the South. I wonder how could I find the owners of these homes. These homes are very old and hidden deep in the woods. I am currently using these photographs in a exhibition. I figured since these homes were sharecroppers/slave quarters I didn't need permission. I also tried to use tax information to locate owners but because of how records were kept the information is hard to find or doesn't exist.
Comment from Udit
Posted on: Apr 16, 2006 3:44pm
Does anyone know what kindof legaltrespassing issues need to be kept in mind when photographing houses. I mean, is it illegal to just drive up to the house, take a pic from outside and leave ? And how is it possible to contact the owners of the house to ask for permission?
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