Documenting Change in a Small Town on 35mm Film
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- Опубликовано: 27 сен 2024
- I've always stressed the importance of documenting your own story, and leaving room for others to document theirs.
As a photographer, it's hard sometimes to fight the urge to travel somewhere when news breaks, eager to snap a few shots. And while it is perfectly fine to do that, I always try to be sensitive to the fact that if I am hearing about a certain out-of-town event through the media, chances are that there is someone more personally affected by the story already on the scene, documenting it since long before the news broke.
For a lot of us, living in a small town can be frustrating, as it seems as though nothing ever happens, but that's how things work in small towns; nothing happens, until it does. This is why it's important, as photographers, to document your world... and when a story develops close to home, own it!
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I’ve been to far too many funerals for my age.
It’s natural, I think, that as we move forward in life we approach change with greater resistance, perhaps as an attempt to preserve the past-if not only in our minds.
So naturally, when the small independent corner store at the end of my road put a hand written sign in the window that said “closed”, I gravitated toward it, and did the only thing I could think of doing. The only thing I could control.
It’s funny sometimes, how the things we turn to in an attempt distract our mind often force us to face our fears head on. Because it wasn’t long before the power was cut to the building, confirming what deep down I suspected all along; this was not a renovation.
The following events played out exactly how you would expect in a small town.
In only a few days gates were put up around the perimeter to prevent trespassing, as the building had been loaned to the local fire department, who set up various points of entry and exit, vital for training new recruits.
The building and the grounds then sat vacant for what seemed like forever, as workers removed whatever scrap metal and other salvageable material they could, leaving behind nothing but an empty shell.
Finally, exactly 2 weeks after I played my first round of mini put on the abandoned course, the Cat was delivered. For 3 days I visited the site every 2 hours to make sure I was there for the big day because the rest as they say, is written.
Instagram: @jesshobbsphoto
All photos were taken on Kodak Gold 200 with the Canon F-1 and PressPan
Soundtrack:
First light - Evert Z
Like a Feather - Ziv Moran
Shema - The Duke of Norfolk
Such a sad story documented so well. It is a story that, as you said, is often overlooked. Well done.
Thank you so much! It is a sad story, and I can only hope something good will come of it one day. At the very least, it has made me want to document more and more, so that other stories won't go overlooked.
Thank you for watching! ❤
It’s a amazing how heartbroken you can feel over a place you’ve never been to! The truth is, it’s a familiar story to most of us, but it has been told here in quite a beautiful and special way. Thank you for sharing!
I do think this story is very universal, so even if you didn't know this particular building, you can empathize with it in your own way.
I am so happy to know how much this story has touched other people, and all the stories I am getting back in return. I love that in some way we are all connected through our experiences, this is why I do what I do.
Thank you for watching! ❤
It's sad to see part of a town's history demolished, and its good to see that you made a record of its past life and what it has become.
It's funny how some of the small towns around here are fiercely proud of their heritage and will do anything to save it, and others will do anything to destroy their own. I'm so glad I was there to tell its story, and I can only hope that maybe something good will come of all this eventually.
Thank you for watching! ❤
And, that's why I have no time for big business. Thankfully, you managed to create a record that'll preserve the little corner store for posterity. A reminder of how things should be like and not what they are like.
Unfortunately, big business is a reality, although I think it says more about the petty jealousies of the new owner than as a comment on capitalism itself.
I am glad that I was there to tell the story, and that at least I have a record of what was. I can only hope that good will eventually come of this whole thing, but I unfortunately have my doubts in the owner's humanity at this point.
Thank you for watching! ❤
An beautiful elegy for a local icon.
Thank you so much, I really appreciate that! It warms my heart to know how many people this story has touched, it makes me feel less alone in the world!
Thank you for watching! ❤
A sad story beautifully told.
Thank you so much, I really appreciate that! ❤
I felt so heart-broken when the structure is being demolished 😢😢
But it‘s a nice and lucky to have you for recording and capturing this beautiful scene❤️
I was pretty heartbroken too, but I am so glad I was there. At least now there's record of its story, one that I am honored to be the one to tell it.
Thanks for watching! ❤
Very beautiful storytelling.
Thank you so much! ❤
Poignant words and a message that speaks to us all. Well done, and thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much, Billy, I really appreciate that! I've been seeing other people do hometown/small town projects, and their words and images always resonate with me, so I know I'm not alone in my feelings. ❤
Hi Jess.
What a wonderful video, and what a crime to tear down such a beautiful building.
I just found your channel a day or two ago. I've watched a few of your videos and RUclips happened to serve this one up randomly. This is one of the finest photo/video essays I've seen and I just wanted to say that I admire your determination and passion in "siezing the moment" before it passes irretrievably. All too often we see something and under the press of everyday life we think that we'll come back later when we have more time. I'm very glad to see that someone out there knows better. Thank you.
Damn, this building will at least live on, in this video and your photos & in your memory.
That is what I am so grateful for, that I got to be there to tell its story.
Thanks for watching! ❤
Boy, I'm glad that you are back with your photo videos. I really enjoy the topics and your enthusiasm. I've missed your videos while you have been busy carrying out the responsibilities of your main job. I hope you get time to put some more into the can. Enjoyed this one and am looking forward to me.
Thank you so much, I really appreciate that! I've had to quiet down again for a brief time, but I've got a surprise coming on Christmas Day!
It is hard to balance time between unending farm work and filming videos/photographing, but I'm hoping to work on that more in the future! I'll probably always take a bit of time out from time to time, especially the summer months, but my YT and photography is what I really like to do, so I want to give it a bit more priority!
Thanks for your support over the years! ❤
That ending shot was incredible
Thank you so much, I really appreciate that! 😀
Only two of the five houses I lived in as a child are still standing. For me at least I truly can't go back home again. As I approach my 70th year I know that change is going to happen but that doesn't mean that the loss of childhood places doesn't hurt. Like you for the houses that no longer are there all I have are the pictures that my mom took and a few that I took as I was just starting out in photography. Too long in my career I thought of photography as an art but as I get older I wish I had done more documenting
I always regret not documenting more... it always feels like no matter how much I have, it's never enough, although that's a feeling I'm trying not to carry with me because, at the end of the day, I'm only human.
It is hard to lose childhood places, and it might seem silly to some to mourn the passing of a building or a place, but it's part of how I process my emotions.
I am going to try harder to document more, to preserve the world around me at least in photographic form, but I know that from time to time that fervour won't be as strong, lol!
Thanks for watching, and for sharing your story. ❤
Another great video Jess thanks for sharing
Thank you for watching! ❤
It's definitely sad to see a place like that go, had some character. Great job on documenting though and the PressPan looks like such a beast!!
It definitely had lots of character, especially in the summer when the ice cream shop and mini putt were open!
The PressPan was definitely the right choice for some shots, and it's surprisingly easy to handle!
Thanks for watching! ❤
You got there just in time! I visited my home town for the first time in years and it was interesting to see what was new, what had gone, and what to my surprise stuck around.
My only regret is not having documented more of what it looked like before, back when it was a bustling place to be. But I am glad I was there when I could be, and even though the story has a sad ending, not all stories end this way, but it's important to be there to tell the story no matter what.
Hometowns are funny like that, sometimes they stay stuck in time for so long that it's hard to believe anything will ever change!
Thanks for watching!
Very moving - thank you for documenting and sharing ♥
👍👍🥑
Ahhhhhh, I miss you so much! I'm glad you liked the video, thanks for watching! ❤❤
What a shame, Glad you were able to document the end. I wonder if any local media outlets would be interested in this, Or local social media groups?
There are a couple of places in town that might be interested, I'll probably approach them pretty soon. There was a tiny blurb in the local newspaper with a photo after it was all torn down, so we'll see what happens! But I am glad I was there, it's important to document the things around us.
Thanks for watching! ❤
I really don't like it when the big eats the small!! I love supporting the small and proud businesses!! It's just sad that it was demolished just to remove competition!! Money moves people!!
It's so true, greed is a nasty thing. In this case, the big owner was jealous of how much beer the small owner was selling, but instead of matching prices, the big simply erased the small. I'm just glad I was there to tell the story, to keep this place alive in some way.
Thanks for watching! ❤
@@JessHobbs yeah!! That was always the way the big sellers handled business!! Thanks for being there to tell the story!!
Wow... you sure know how to tell a story, I wasn't expecting to wipe my eyes after this one. In documenting this on film, there will be something tangible to hold for quite a long time. I'm really glad you got a chance to play mini-putt before it was demolished, it's just a store but the world is a slightly more boring place now it's gone.
Thank you so much, I really appreciate your lovely comments! I'll admit that I fought back tears on many occasions throughout the whole process of documenting and editing, but this is something I am really proud of, and it means a lot to me to know that others feel the same as me.
It was just a building, but like you said, the world (especially in this town) is a more boring place now. I can only hope that some good will come of all of this eventually!
Thank you for watching! ❤
Great content, you are very talented. Have a nice day.
I grew up in the city and lived for more than a year in a small town because of work. Our go-to places to eat are limited so gradually you'll be familiar to the staff and they'll be the same to you. Seeing them at the end of the day while hanging out with my colleagues bring a sense of comfort. So I'm really sad that they demolished the place just because they were threatened by its presence. A place holds a lot of memories and to be left with an empty lot... Can I ask for an update what happened in the place now?
I think this is what photography is all about, documenting the ebbs and flows of life. I was thinking of going back to my university to capture my memories before they're truly gone.
Salamat!
Hi Jess, beautiful video...the things you said really struck a chord with me. About how documenting is the only thing in our control. I know sometimes it can come off as living in the past, but it is a beautiful purpose to have, to be able to record a place in its time, and in that way, allow it to live on forever in memory even if it keeps changing.
Great storytelling and also very nice pictures👌🏿
Great cinematography. great photographs, and a really good script, especially the beginning. One of your best!
Thank you so much, John! It's weird to say that I enjoyed the process because it's just so sad, and I was fighting back tears throughout, but I am glad I was there to tell the story.
Thank you for watching! ❤
Really touching storytelling. I think we can all relate to the feeling of loss and wanting to preserve places, objects, and habits because of what they symbolize and remind us of. I find that being able to document something before it's gone gives you a sense of closure and you won't feel regret over not being there in the last moments. It's bittersweet, but I hope you were able to gain some comfort from this project.
Thank you so much, your comments mean a lot to me. I have gone through a lot of emotions throughout the whole process, and being there until the end helped give me closure. It's sad to have to document things like this, but it was nice to be the one to tell its story, to give the place a chance to live on otherwise.
Thanks you for watching, and for sharing your thoughts with me! ❤
That is SO cool that you captured the demolition! It really is sad sometimes to see places or people leave us. I found your channel from a Rollieflex vid. I'm digging your videography as well as your photography 📸 Subbed...
The saddest part of the story was hearing that it had been bought and demolished by a large corporation, only to reduce the competition. Capitalism at its worst?
I know, right?! All because the big guy was jealous of how much beer the little guy was selling... and instead of matching prices, he simply erased the little guy. I'm hoping that something good will come of this, something to benefit the community, but the cynic in me isn't so sure.
Thank you for watching! ❤
This was a very sweet video. Great story telling. Great photos. What more could we ask for? Did you ever do the review for the Mamiya Press. Im a subscriber and dont remember it hahah The camera seems pretty portable with that beautiful mamiya glass!
Thank you so much! It's so heartwarming to know how many people this story touches, I feel much less alone!
I did do a video in fall 2020 on the PressPan, and I also wrote an accompanying article for emulsive.org. Here's the link to the video if you're interested!
ruclips.net/video/6BtfXjThUmQ/видео.html
It's a great camera to shoot with, and I am so in love with that beautiful Mamiya glass!
Thanks for watching! ❤
Beautiful video Jess, I am not going to lie, I totally shed some tears. I think this might be your best video to date.
Thank you so much, John, I really appreciate that! I was definitely fighting back tears throughout the process, but amazingly every time I had to rip into the wound, a little more healed, and in the end I am just so glad I was there to tell the story.
Thank you for watching! ❤
Wonderful moving video! Thank you!
Greatv storytelling and you got the last game of mini golf there.
I did, and I'm glad I finally got to play! I'm only sad I waited so long to do so, but that's the way it goes sometimes!
Thanks for watching, Jim, I really appreciate it! ❤
Nice to see your back making videos.
Thanks, it feels good to be back! ❤
We should be all doing that. Well done Jess!
Thank you so much! My only regret is not having documented it more before this happened, but at least I was there until the end.
Thank you for watching! ❤
Beautiful, simply beautiful
Thank you so much, I really appreciate that! ❤
It’s always sad to watch something get demolished. But at least there is some visible record of the building! Excellent shots and video as always!
I am so glad I was there to tell the end of its story. My only regret is not photographing it more before, but that's a lesson learned, and at least I was there. I was surprised that no media was there, the whole event only got a tiny blurb in the local newspaper with a photo after it was demolished.
Thanks for watching, Alex! ❤
Nice to see the Presspan again! Ordered one myself after seeing your video on it, hoping to get my hands on it next year 👍
Amazing, I really hope you'll enjoy it! It's a fun camera to use, and I am so glad I bought one!
Thanks for watching! ❤
This video is equal parts beautiful and sad. I was NOT prepared to shed a few tears for a building I has just met on a Saturday morning
This comment is equal parts funny and sad, it made me laugh out loud, and then go "ohhhh". Thanks for watching though, I appreciate that! Sorry for making you shed some tears!