p.w.ponath photography: March 2013

Photo Journaling

I love nothing more than to go out in the world and document what I see, the way I see it. Time I spend walking in a woods or along an overlook or floating on a lake or river is often the backdrop for my pictures. If not in the wilderness, then I also like to visit places of historical or architectural interest. Many of my photos will be nothing more than quick clicks just around the house.

I would love to have you visit - come view my photos. Feel free to comment, tell me what you like or don't like, and most of all just enjoy your time here.

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

The Foxhunt

This composition is the result of reflection on a fun time in the 1960's when I had the privilege of getting to ride on a foxhunt with the Hillsborough Hounds. The sport of mounted foxhunting is steeped in British tradition and is quite an exhilarating experience in which to take part. Often seen as bloody and abusive, nonetheless, it was quite an opportunity that I had the chance to witness. I will say however, that I was truly happy no fox was caught that day!

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Across the Years - A Collection of Images from Past and Present

I love old barns and houses. They all have beauty in their usefulness whether still in service today or only in the memories they hold.

This barn in Williamson County, Tennessee is probably still being used for cattle or hay storage. The style and pastoral setting can be seen across many areas of Tennessee and speak of "home" to me. This is the familiar countryside of Middle Tennessee that I have grown to love.

This old barn has managed to remain standing in spite of the years. While it could be destroyed by a summer storm or dismantled for its aged wood to be used in some new construction, I have captured it with my camera to remain at least in a photo.

The abandonment of this farm is probably due to the continuing growth and urban spread that created the need for a new interstate highway that may have split what was once probably a rural family's farm.

Oh how I wish I knew the history and story of the lives once shared in this old dilapidated house. How many different families lived here through the years? Were they happy years? Sad years?

Going on down another road, was this barn once the home of livestock on a larger farm? It seems to still be in use but probably not to the extent it once was.

Across the road from the barn is this terribly decaying "tenant house." I remember driving by when it still had residents. It was only a few weeks ago that the porch collapsed no longer able to bear the weight of the years of neglect.

Another wonderful old house that will all too soon be gone. Maybe someday someone will come along and restore it to its once beautiful style before it too is gone, only to be remembered in pictures. I'm just glad I had that chance to "save" it in my pictures.

It seems the more I think about these old places and the more aware I become of them, I start finding them everywhere I go. This old barn, although patched and sagging, is still being used on a working farm.