Luminous Landscape Forum

The Art of Photography => User Critiques => Topic started by: Arlen on March 30, 2016, 02:58:46 pm

Title: Out Back
Post by: Arlen on March 30, 2016, 02:58:46 pm
Once a standard fixture of American life, it's now rare to see a working example of outdoor "facilities" like this one behind an old ranch house. I was struck by the odd congruence of outhouse and apple tree, amidst the aftermath of a big mid-winter snow storm. Thoughts?



(http://www.pbase.com/art1/image/162894000/original.jpg)
Title: Re: Out Back
Post by: RSL on March 30, 2016, 03:54:11 pm
Uh huh. Been there. Done that.
Title: Re: Out Back
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on March 30, 2016, 04:19:17 pm
One apple a day and one visit to outhouse a day keep doctor away?

In all seriousness, unless you are doing a documentary on outhouses, I see the OP image as a nice "apple tree in winter" square composition.
Title: Re: Out Back
Post by: Arlen on March 30, 2016, 04:28:21 pm
Uh huh. Been there. Done that.

Me too, Russ, in a time far far away.
Title: Re: Out Back
Post by: Patricia Sheley on March 30, 2016, 05:11:28 pm
Walk the periphery of the pair for an in old age  "Portrait"  - in early morning light, in stormy rains, in mid to late evening long shadows. Something is there- waiting your willingness to really look, openly look- the defining of "Survivors"
p
Title: Re: Out Back
Post by: RSL on March 30, 2016, 07:17:37 pm
People often used to keep a 50 lb bag of lime outback and toss a scoop or two down the holes from time to time. Long ago, on a hunting trip to northern Michigan to my grandfather's cabin I went out back after dark. As it happened the toilet paper had dropped into the lime and somebody had helpfully picked it out and set it next to the seat. The result taught me always to carry a flashlight and check the toilet paper before using it.
Title: Re: Out Back
Post by: David Eckels on March 30, 2016, 08:37:27 pm
People often used to keep a 50 lb bag of lime outback and toss a scoop or two down the holes from time to time. Long ago, on a hunting trip to northern Michigan to my grandfather's cabin I went out back after dark. As it happened the toilet paper had dropped into the lime and somebody had helpfully picked it out and set it next to the seat. The result taught me always to carry a flashlight and check the toilet paper before using it.
LMAO, Russ!
Title: Re: Out Back
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on March 30, 2016, 08:50:50 pm
LMAO, Russ!

His didn't ;)

Title: Re: Out Back
Post by: Arlen on March 30, 2016, 09:17:02 pm
People often used to keep a 50 lb bag of lime outback and toss a scoop or two down the holes from time to time. Long ago, on a hunting trip to northern Michigan to my grandfather's cabin I went out back after dark. As it happened the toilet paper had dropped into the lime and somebody had helpfully picked it out and set it next to the seat. The result taught me always to carry a flashlight and check the toilet paper before using it.

Or to check for spiders. In the old South, quite a few outhouse visitors were bitten by black widows in the most awkward of places.

Thanks for that colorful background story to add depth for some our younger or more urban readers, Russ.