October 24, 2008
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Weekly Photo Challenge, “Hillbilly Heaven / Haven”
the subject from, me, PhotoGraphics is:
… “Hillbilly Heaven / Haven” …
Most of us have encountered spots on our part of the map befitting the concept of wild, free, and sometimes rundown, but often with a look of enchanting solitude and privacy. These are the spots which call to my camera’s eye, and when the shot is missed, I remember the spot, in hopes of the encounter, again.To better define what I think of as Hillbilly Heaven/Haven, here are a few of my photo definitions:- City-Up-Setting (dirt, crowds, traffic, tenements)
- Urban Yuppie Prim and Proper (fancy homes, manicured lawns)
- Hillbilly Heaven/Haven (no display of material wealth as much as a display of the total surroundings with a natural charm)
- God’s Country (appearing as if never touched by the hand of man including field, mountain and wooded area and skyscapes of clouds and sunsets etc)
- Techno – Photo (the world of technology is the main interest, from highway construction to trucks on the move to cellphone towers to bridge to ??)
- Creature Comforts includes all life, other than ourselves, surrounding us, in the home or otherwise.
Some of my Photos
All of the images on this page were taken from a moving car so some of them aren’t as clear as I would like. This one of the Mailpouch barn, with its rolling hills behind, is one I have posted before. It was taken on a trip to Ashland, Kentucky.
I spend a lot of time with my camera on driving trips, John drives, I take photos. I love the fields and barns but a lot of them fly by so quick I can barely get them. This one was a distant shot I saw coming up. I love the old tin roof and the weathered, forgotten look. People living in areas like this would be called flatlanders.
This is another Ashland, Kentucky photo. Ashland sits right on the river where there are always train sidings as the barges carry coal to be picked up. The river cuts a path between very steep hills where hide homes, back in the hills and hollows/hollers. It’s a beautiful place that fights for its survival as hill communities don’t have big incomes. There are always the rich areas, people in upper class situations, but the greater numbers bring home less in a paycheck.
Another steep and wooded hill and this image is from one of our Rockford trips but on the way back home. The hills and hideaways would please any self respecting hillbilly. The areas are filled with deer and raccoon, possum, fox and a sparse population of hill and mountain loving people.
Farmland between Columbus and Cincinnati, Ohio. There is always a pile of something lying around on farms. Waste not, want not used to be a saying we all adhered to.
This was taken on the outskirts of Rockford, Illinois while just driving around. Somewhere in the lay of the land resides a DaisyMae with a hillbilly heart.
This is taken off the beaten track in Virginia. There are wonderful little burgs hidden away in these hills, lots of small homes dot the area and cows walk the hillsides.
This photo was taken on the drive from Cincinnati, Ohio to Rockford, Illinois. There is a lot of farmland on the drive. I have high hopes of getting closer, taking the little back roads, to get photos. I grew up in surroundings like these, not on a farm but surrounded by them and all the good things they offered. It made for a lovely childhood.There are beautiful spots in the surroundings of any of our drives/trips. Most of the farms have a look of being not kept up as much as the owner would probably like. For me, it makes them all the more appealing for photos and it gives them the look of the downhome “Havens” hills where people still know what hard work is, existing on less and appreciating more. Not one of my photos tells the real story. They only give a hint of it.Have a super week and thanks always for your comments.
Comments (16)
They are all so good, I can’t pick a favorite (but Rockford, IL comes close). The pictures are clear enough that I can imagine half of your body hanging outside the passenger window….and you saying, “slow down, Honey”.
Great photos Becca, When i hear the word “Hillbilly” i think of Buddy Ebson from the tv series, so i was stuck on this one untill i saw your post and also very_basic’s , i have an idea for the challenge now, really like all your pics with a preferance for numbers two and three, the old house and the one with the train.
Nice Pics as always Becca——the challenge——goodness will have tyo give it a lot of thought
@gandywhite - Hi, I don’t quite hang out of the car but I do get my head and camera out the window and if there is a pullover, John is good to stop and angle the car this way and that but most of the shots I get are fly-bys. I do get fussy if all the good stuff is missed because of travel speeds. A lot of things sneak up on you and then it’s tooooooo late.
@Timages - Looking forward to your entry Tim. I know it will be a goodie as they always are.
@KENKEYS - You can do it Ken. We all have little spots nearby where people struggle to survive. The less fortunate live everywhere. Here in the states you find the Appalachia range where a lot of industrious (you had to be) people settled in but to poorer existence levels. These people are now, the backbone of the cottage industries here in the states.
When you ride with John you always find matter to interest and picture . I am a littlle like that . I like the discovering and the photos of the real life , not necessarily spectacular .
The photos taken in Rockford ( Illinois ) and in Virghinia please me .
Finally is there a state of US you don’ t drive in ?
Love
Michel
Lovely pictures as always.I love the one with the wooded hills and white fence.I might try for this one but we’re not awash with hillbillys round here!
beautiful photos! well done!
@stixandstonz - Hi, thanks for the comment. You must have been sick or on vacation this past week as you didn’t put anything up for your “Hats” challenge. There were some fun entries for it and am sure people missed seeing one from you. I know I had a good time with it.
Hi Becca!
I hope you are all right!
I have been too busy at school =( but I wouldn’t miss a challenge hosted by you!
I thought I had understood the theme since I read your definition “God’s Country”. Now, reading your comments, I’m not so sure… Well, I’ve done my best! I hope you like it!
Your picture of Rockford is beautiful. Mailpouch barn is another one of my favorites.
You posted great photos!
I wish you a nice weekend!
Isabel
Thanks for explaining the theme…I was totally lost with the topic…I really like the simplicity of the white fence going arround the tree.
Well I don’t know how I missed these photos. Really super, the quality is good, definition sharp and clear. I think they are all so nice, its hard to choose but I think No 7 takes the lead.
Lovely photos I like the place with the tin roof. I’d like to sit there with my water colours. (I come from the UK so I can spell colour the proper way)
@kalobe1 - I can spell color/colour both ways and I’m from the United States. What I can’t do, but wish I could do, is paint. I like the tin roof image too and your very fortunate if you have the fine art talent of painting.
I laughed aloud when I saw the “mailpouch” picture, Becca. We had such a barn where I was raised in Indiana!
Thank you for the good advice. I need something to get me primed up. I have been far too sedentary. I am going to look into the programs you mentioned!
Nice photos as always. Happy Halloween. May God provide an abundant harvest. Judi
@jassmine - thank you. We hope to enjoy a bit of food with family this weekend. I think most of it will be havested from the grocery store but that works for us. For Halloween, we always enjoy some of the movies that aren’t real scary, movies and food and good company. I hope you have a really good weekend as well.