LLECT-ART FAWR, Mynydd Gellionnen, Neath Port Talbot 2019
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Notes on LLECT-ART FAWR, Mynydd Gellionnen, Neath Port Talbot 2019
I parked at the remote Gellionnen Chapel and walked down the single lane track towards the footpath that leads to the ruined farmstead. I took a shorter route through some undergrowth and over a fence. There was a footpath of sorts and it suited me.
I reached the house quickly, no closed gateway, an open farmyard with the house standing opposite an old tractor and large metal barn. The drizzle fell but the sun was also out behind the clouds and somewhere there would be a rainbow.
A group of cows watched from a metal barn shed, the mud underfoot was deep in places where the cows had trodden and to a point where I almost lost my wellingtons - thank goodness I wore them! The house is large, much ruined and because I was battling with the mud I forgot to look inside the bare walls. A large chimney, not uncommon in Wales stood one gable end, roof long gone, windows and doors long gone, only the bare bones.
Other outbuildings stand also ruinous and other than the cows and farm workers it felt very few people walked this footpath. A few obvious viewpoints came, I had to keep lifting my feet so they didn't sink too deep. The camera and lens found their viewpoints easy and I suppose that is a blessing taking images of buildings; there’s only so many viewpoints, the skill-set involved is somewhat limiting and without doing myself an injustice, anyone could take these images. As a collection however, that is where they gain their strength.
These thoughts were written down once I returned to the car. I’ve lessened the weight of my camera bag recently; a lighter camera, mostly carry just one lens, only carry 6 – 8 darkslides and a lighter light meter. All this and still my two mile walk gave me a sweaty back! Blame the backpack. Always carry a spare t-shirt and spare pair of shoes. The smell in the air was of cow muck, not un-pleasant by any means and the smell came home with me. A nice reminder of where I come from and how much I miss the countryside.
I parked at the remote Gellionnen Chapel and walked down the single lane track towards the footpath that leads to the ruined farmstead. I took a shorter route through some undergrowth and over a fence. There was a footpath of sorts and it suited me.
I reached the house quickly, no closed gateway, an open farmyard with the house standing opposite an old tractor and large metal barn. The drizzle fell but the sun was also out behind the clouds and somewhere there would be a rainbow.
A group of cows watched from a metal barn shed, the mud underfoot was deep in places where the cows had trodden and to a point where I almost lost my wellingtons - thank goodness I wore them! The house is large, much ruined and because I was battling with the mud I forgot to look inside the bare walls. A large chimney, not uncommon in Wales stood one gable end, roof long gone, windows and doors long gone, only the bare bones.
Other outbuildings stand also ruinous and other than the cows and farm workers it felt very few people walked this footpath. A few obvious viewpoints came, I had to keep lifting my feet so they didn't sink too deep. The camera and lens found their viewpoints easy and I suppose that is a blessing taking images of buildings; there’s only so many viewpoints, the skill-set involved is somewhat limiting and without doing myself an injustice, anyone could take these images. As a collection however, that is where they gain their strength.
These thoughts were written down once I returned to the car. I’ve lessened the weight of my camera bag recently; a lighter camera, mostly carry just one lens, only carry 6 – 8 darkslides and a lighter light meter. All this and still my two mile walk gave me a sweaty back! Blame the backpack. Always carry a spare t-shirt and spare pair of shoes. The smell in the air was of cow muck, not un-pleasant by any means and the smell came home with me. A nice reminder of where I come from and how much I miss the countryside.
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