One of the most common subject for the back road photographer is barns. I’m talking old fashioned barns, made of logs, lumber, and tin, for the most part, dating to a time before the modern pole barn. There are lots of them still standing, and many still being used for farm related activities, or storage. Other’s are in various stages of decay, or abandoned. These are among my favorites to shoot.
Finding barns to shoot shouldn’t be difficult. They still dot the landscape, some even surviving in small towns and cities. The hardest part is finding the best angle and framing for an attractive shot. I like to include some background to show the environment, whether the surroundings be a cornfield, pasture, or mountain vista.
I don’t like an abundance of blue sky in my photos. Some is fine, as long as there are clouds to add a little interest. I like even lighting, without harsh shadows, unless I’m looking for a specific look or feeling that calls for something else.
Over the years, I have photographed literally hundreds of barns. I’m always finding new ones to shoot, and never get tired of it. They’re getting harder and harder to find, as progress takes its toll on American farms, and what is left of them. Whenever possible, I always choose to take the back road, as you never know what’s around the next curve.
