It's the little things that make for the best photos
As any photographer will tell you, the real work starts after the event. My clients had a delightful wedding day and my second shooter and I took many images for them to enjoy.
Many.... Many images!
That means hours in front of the computer evaluating which ones stay, which ones go, which ones get edited, etc. So, after looking at images of the gown, the couple, the ceremony, I came across this little gem. It's the bride and groom with his mom. There is something to be said for the joy one experiences when catching a great moment like this! :-)
A Lonely Castle Named Mont Rouge
'This is definitely a one of a kind. A Castle in ruins...' Tri-Star Realty Listing Agent: Carl Wuestehube ....
Say the word ' castle' in North Carolina, and the immediate thought is of the famous one that overlooks the Blue Ridge mountains.
Take a short drive north of Durham, and you just might see a view that would bring about a reaction as powerful as the view of the Biltmore... only this would be of heartbreak rather than of awe.
http://www.opendurham.org/buildings/rougemont-castle
This entry from the website, ' opendurham.org' shows the magnificent beginning of the story of this home.
Flash forward to 2013, it is a structure partially exposed to the elements after being ravaged by the thoughtless actions of total strangers.
Windows are broken. The main floor is covered with debris. There are actually clothes on hangers near a mattress.. a squatter? Outside, construction materials surround the home / studio. I don't think the owner ever got to the point of installing utilities to the house, but it appears steps were taken to prepare for that next move.
It is in desperate need of a good boarding-up to protect it , and I had to fight the urge to do that many times myself. I was there to document, and that was it.
I saw prior reports on the web that this place was beyond repair. I'll tell you that from what I saw I believe there is a good possibility it can still be completed and become a viable home/studio for someone. There does appear to be some development of effects due to moisture, but that should be determined by tests. I'm not a construction expert, but the framing still looked solid, and the only way I can truly express how the woodwork was done beyond the framing stage is to say , 'this place has good bones.' It looks like it has been built like a tank, or in this case, a fortress.
The details that will stop you in your tracks are the rooftop, the lovely but quirky design of the windows , and the stunning upper level ceiling woodwork you can view from outside. They bring warmth , depth, and order ... especially when there is the stark contrast of disarray below. Its obvious when looking at this place the care and attention to detail there must have been in the blueprints. You can easily imagine how light would enter and fill the space; how life would breathe through here without barriers. I sincerely hope this home will be completed and glow with happiness and warmth very soon.
Milton State Bank- quick tour
We were in Milton this weekend and had a rare opportunity to see inside this former bank building turned residence. The bank vault holds an interesting surprise! The full blog, coming up.....
2013 NC State Fair Commemorative Quilt Project and more fair preps
2013 nc state fair commemorative quilt project.. if you wondered why some quilts are handed down rather than given away, you'd have your answer if you saw the work involved in just *getting this project started*... this particular quilt will be completed in the village of yesteryear only during the first 2 days of the fair, so come see this heartfelt labor of love as its stitched before your eyes!
More raw video clips from this project can be found on the BarrowImages You Tube channel
Getting Ready for the 2013 NC State Fair!
I had the most wonderful time watching people preparing for the State Fair. Hubby and I walked around and met some of those wonderful people and got to learn about their interests and causes.
One artist we met was MaryJo Stephenson of Mary Jo's Studio. She will be exhibiting her garden art in the garden exhibit area. Its a lovely area to see creativity and for the kids to play.
We also got to see something we never saw before ... the village of yesteryear building nearly empty.. as you know if you've been to the fair, its nearly impossible to get decent elbow room during the fair, as there are so many artists there and so much to see!
One element of the village will be undergoing a transformation.. you might always see the old loom (documented back to the 1800s) in the village building, but we had an opportunity to speak to Pamela Earp who said after this year's fair, this amazing piece will be undergoing a very costly restoration. You can actually help with this effort when you come to the fair. Bring a few extra dollars and plan to donate those to the project. Scott Mason (The Tar Heel Traveller) will be focusing one of his stories on WRAL on this loom, so be looking for it in the coming week or so.
Just had time for a quick post this morning..will be returning to the Village Monday afternoon to see a beautiful quilt being put on a frame. I will not only photograph but will have video / audio fusion to show. Be looking for that!
P