Photo Collecting

Kudzu House 2, HWY 92, TN 2013 © jwl

I have a collector mind. When I am interested in something, I tend to gather as much of it as I can. Records, Books, Shot Glasses, Pocket 35mm Cameras, you get he picture. Lately I have been shedding some of my collections to make way for a more sustainable and, more importantly, useful collection of possessions. Leaving it to the things that I can use to make other things. Cameras, Tools, etc. That doesn't mean I have stopped collecting Things, I am just a little more reserved about what they are.

As a photographic artist who travels back roads, I have the opportunity to notice a lot of common things along the American roadside. Barns, Billboards, Crosses, Marquees, Chairs, Abandoned Everything...

Not that I am deciding to collect them in particular, but ever since I began visiting the Kudzu House, I have noticed more old homes covered in the parasitic vine of the South. This one made my attention a couple of Summers ago on a rainy Saturday Drive. I was compelled. Without any ideas as to what to call it, I guess Kudzu House 2 will work.

Kudzu House, Re-revisited

Kudzu House (side view), West Carter's Valley, TN 2013

The Kudzu House has been an opus of a project for a few years now. Anytime I am in the vicinity, I will stop and make photographs. Recently, Eli Johnson and I made the drive over to the Old Guy. He's still there just staring into the distance. I made a few images and wandered down the road.

The film from my last visit hasn't made it back from the lab, but since it was fresh on my mind, I worked on this view from 2013. I am not sure when I will stop making the trip to see this place. Maybe never, time will tell.

It's very comforting to know that I have this place to contemplate from time to time.

Saturdays Don't Need Be Lonely

 © Eli Johnson Photography

A couple of weeks back I took, my Buddy & fellow Photographer, Eli Johnson with me on my Saturday drive. He hadn't really ventured into my East Tennessee web of highways so I thought I'd show him a few things. I was even able to take him to my beloved Kudzu House.

Even though We traveled on some familiar roads (from my point of view) Eli's eye and mind helped me see things a little differently this time.

He's quite a talent and I look forward to meandering with him again. He posted some photographs on his blog.

© Eli Johnson Photography

We talked about this at great length on our drive, Eli is better at incorporating the human form in his work. Here is an image of me making a photograph. Since he was digital and I was film, we will have to wait a little longer to see what I made on our trip.

Repeat Offender

Kudzu House (Rear View), Carter's Valley TN 2013 © jwl

I have resigned to photographing this house every time I have the opportunity. I have been to this place 5 or six times. Sometimes I take the same composition, other times I find new views. Now that I live closer to the location than I did when this series started, I can make many more visits in all seasons. The bottom line is that the Kudzu House has a special place in my photographic heart and I want to watch it evolve into dust as best I can.