I was immediately pulled into Tina’s Len-Artist Photography Challenge: Seen Better Days. Maybe I can related because my body has seen better days. I love photographing barns and the barns that catch my attention have changed over the past 12 years. I started wanting to photograph old, falling down barns, then I was more attracted to barns with unique architectural features or color, then I enjoyed photographing working barns, and now I find my favorite barns are those that have character. Maybe that same kind of character I attribute to my body; warn out from years of good use but still serviceable and maybe can be patched up a bit with proper care. These categories of barns aren’t mutually exclusive as I’m driving down dirt roads but as I have gotten more photography time under my belt (that has gotten a bit bigger) I have gotten more selective. Here are some of my favorites from over the years.
This next barn was taken this past week as I was going down quiet country roads looking for fall color. I saw the beautiful doors, put on the breaks, and did a U turn. I have been noticing in our travels through Michigan this summer that many barns are getting renewed with this sheet siding. It doesn’t have the patina and character of wooden boards, but it preserves barns for another generation or two.
After I took the photos I wanted, I had to turn around and there was a drive to another house close by. I was excited because this also gave me an excellent opportunity to photograph the barn from another angle without drawing attention by noticeably trespassing. This barn had truly seen better days before the owners decided to give it some hope for the future. Is this a lesson for those of us who are struggling with the impact of living in aging bodies while our minds are saying, “Wouldn’t it be fun to…”? Maybe it just reminds us to “patch, patch, patch.”
My last barn was chosen just because it made me smile. I don’t remember the photograph and have no idea where I took it. It is dated 2014 and the file is named Amish country, encompassing a large area to the south of where I live. The slight tilt (didn’t straighten with editing) and the architectural features make it seem slightly inebriated. I wonder if Moonshine had been made in this barn at some time in it’s history?
A New Day: Living Life Almost Gracefully 
Barns are definitely amazing, and varied. At one time ‘barn wood’ was a pricey interior decor, resulting in some scavenging. I don’t know if it is still.
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I’ve seen a few barns being harvested – I would guess for touches in country kitchens that are popular now.
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Love these barns! Beautifully captured, Pat.
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Thanks, Amy
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These are great!!
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🙂
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Excellant choices. I love barns too. Always curious enough to want to go in them, especially the old ones. A bit unrealistic most times. But great photos for us. Donna
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Thanks, Donna.
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Love these old barns, and for me, the more worn and tumbledown the better. But I speak as a photographer, not a farmer 😆 Great selection for the theme Pat!
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LOL – I have talked to owners whose barns had foundation problems that were too expensive to fix. The owners were grieved to loose the barns.
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Love the barns…though they have seen better days, the texture is just gorgeous!
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What a wonderful collection of beautiful barns, Pat! The old wooden barns are one of the most favourite subjects of the photographers. Since the barns are usually located inside farms, the photographers have the opportunity to compose their pictures creatively along with the beautiful elements of nature like the blue sky or green fields in the background or other elements 🙂 Aiva xx
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That’s a wonderful collection of barns. I like that in one of the photos you showed not only the ruin, but also the newly painted part
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Love those old barns!
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Thanks, Irene. I think I’ll do boats, too.
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A lovely collection, Pat! Love old barns, and here i think the red one is mine…but I am leaning towards the last one…
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I seem to have different kind of barn days – so it changes which ones I like the most. You too?
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Exactly!
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“Patch, patch, patch.” Wise words from a barn, I’d say!
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my fav? – hard to choose, but I’ll say the double red doors
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They look like they were once very fancy, wouldn’t you say. LOL about the wise words from a barn.
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Nice series, Pat. That last barn does look a bit astonished to find itself a bit off kilter. 🙂
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LOL – yes surprised is a good descriptor.
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Oh…I do love those old barn photos…I’m always keeping my eyes open for such photos.
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Glad I could bring you some joy today. Nice to share the pleasure of seeing nice barns. I find the older barns very beautiful and graceful.
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First of all, I loved your sense of humor in this one. I think many/most/all of us share your thoughts about aging and a necessary patch now and then! Your barns are great and reminded me that I meant to include one or two as I am as fond of them as you are! Terrific selection, loved them all.
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Thanks, Tina. You just might have to do a sequel for us. I’m thinking of another one on boats as I’m remembering a lot of photos that would fit the theme.
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I just might Pat, I just might!
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Love ‘em, especially the one from Prince Edward Island, Canada
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Makes sense to me – we loved Prince Edward Island.
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😊😩
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Oh, I do love a battered barn!
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You and I,,, we do share a love of barns. Wonderful collection!
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