Weekly #621 - Derelict Buildings Competition

First of all, many thanks to everybody who entered. The brief asked for pictures of derelict properties, which is quite interesting when we see decaying buildings that are actually looked after by someone, such as English Heritage or the National Trust. Can such buildings be described as truly derelict? I'm not going to be too pedantic about that, but it's a question and I'd be interested to hear some views on it.

But on to the pictures!

perspicador – shell of old Coventry Cathedral – is a well exposed, sharp image and it is presented as an attractive pattern of angles and shapes. Perhaps not showing the building in the context of its surroundings, but nonetheless an interesting shot.

JAK – Pigeoncote..... - Now this is truly derelict in that it has been left to moulder to itself in a quiet corner. There is enough surrounding it to show that context I mentioned and although it might not seem a particularly exciting subject, it does what has been asked for.

Mannesty – Phoenix United Mine – Here we do see a very clear image of what and where and it's interesting and impressive when looked at as purely a photograph. A magnificent find, well presented.

Daronl – The Victorian Hafod Copper Works – This is the sort of location that really gets photographers excited as well as the artists who adorn its walls with graffiti. We all express ourselves in various ways. We do have some impression of what the whole building may look like; implied rather than shown directly, but it was worth moving in a little to show the new use that dereliction has brought with it.

timcx500e – Seen Better Days – Indeed so and well shown as well. We have a clear idea of how these buildings started off as well as where the one in particular has ended up. So there is a story built into the image.

newbiek50user – the burned out former Green Dragon pub – Although partly concealed from us, the idea is pretty clear. This is the sort of dereliction that tempts our imaginations. This sells books, filled with images of abandoned homes with even sometimes furniture still in place. I don't know why people feel they need to set fire to it though. Walking its eerily silent corridors and rooms would have been a great experience, before the arsonists ruined it.

HazyJ – Elgin Cathedral – This raises my initial question as to whether a managed ruin can be described as derelict, but regardless of that it is a well crafted image that shows us enough to enable us to imagine the whole.

ken2390 – Last line of defence – This also fits the brief well. I think it could probably do with being a tad sharper, but other than that it shows the pill box well enough.

Noelcmn – Abandoned Project – Good use of the fisheye lens means that we can see most of this building. certainly we see enough to judge its overall appearance. An effective shot of a strange derelict building.

Choosing a winner is tricky as there is a distinction between a fine pictorial shot and one that fits the brief of the competition. Fortunately, one image fulfils both requirements and I'm delighted to reveal the winner as Mannesty. A great shot of a fine derelict site that wins on all levels.

Second has to be Daronl with a very fine image. I would have liked to see a bit more of the surroundings, but there is enough and there is a limitation as to what one image of a place can show.

Third place goes to newbiek50user for a picture that entices and appeals to the imagination. The call is there to explore the building further, but for now its situation is well presented and quite clear.

Noelcmn gets an honourable mention as well, or a Highly Commended award to be more specific. Very interesting and a good application for a fisheye lens.

And so that's it. Well done all and I hand the baton over to Mannesty to continue with another challenge!

Congrats Mannesty, beautiful shot. I like the way the building dominates in this landscape, even though it is small part of the landscape. And extended to Daronl and newbiek50user. Thank you for the HC. And thanks to our host and Judge for the C&C's- as always much appreciated.

Wow, what a surprise, and thank you. Well done to all those who took part.

These old engine houses are dotted all over much of Cornwall, this one is just a short car ride from where my sister lives. The OOC image looked very different however with much of the distant scene obscured by haze, but with the RAW development weapons we have at our disposal nowadays I was able to produce what you see above. This image was developed using On1 PhotoRAW.

My take on managed 'derelict' properties, whilst they are obviously derelict they will largely remain as they are due to efforts to prevent further decay. From a photographic point of view, and as I live in Spain, Spanish derelict properties continue to decay for many years. A building that I might photograph this week that has a partially collapsed roof might look entirely different next week when the roof has competely caved in. That is unlikely to be the case when an old building is 'looked after'. And don't get me started on Health and Safety . . . .

So, as i't's down to me to pick the next subject I'd like to call it Black and White, in Colour. If it's been done before please let me know.

What does that mean exactly? A photograph of any age where the main subject is mostly monochrome, but is shot and developed in colour. I'll be looking for interesting subjects, colourful settings, complimentary bokeh, etc. No colour popping please, keep it as natural as possible but by all means use your development skills to good effect.

Congratulations Peter pn a lovely shot of a very iconic structure.
I like the way it seems to be overlooking the very lush landscape showing how nature regenerates-
A worthy winner for sure.

Also congratulations to all entrants for contributing to a very interesting competition set by John whose excellent judging always brings very considered and helpful comments ; thanks John