Here are some images from my shoot at Olive Farm out in Woodland last weekend. It was the monthly Yolo Arts Ag & Art program, and it was a beautiful day! The plein air painters were all set up, most focusing on the open grassy area between the main house and bunkhouse.
The Barn
A few of us photo types wandered around with our tripods. Old barns are a favorite of mine (you never know what youʻll find. This time, I wandered into the barn to find it full of the usual farm equipment, and the 1965 Ford 100 you see as an in-camera multiple exposure. I first set up my tripod and took some conventional shots. Then I tried numerous angles freehand to get the multiple exposures. The American flag was a small sticker on the cab rear window. I wanted to tie it into the color of the truck and make a comment about the quintessential American-ness of old Ford trucks in old farm barns.
The Buildings
The buildings date back to 1902. Besides the main house, there was the very dilapitated nearby bunkhouse, where fieldhands rested at night after making $1/day. There was also another outbuilding or two, and an old boarded-up barn. Assorted old farming equipment, like tractors, wood carts, processing equipment and the like, were scattered around as is usual on these Central Valley historic farms.
The Controversy
As part of my visit, I learned that there is currently a fierce debate around watershed issues in Woodland County, and this farm will be affected if the county moves forward. Competing interests will likely battle it, and there is a serious chance that a chunk of Olive Farm will be lost to the Countyʻs project. Iʻll be following the story to see what happens…
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For more information about me and my photography, please check out my About Me or Bio page. Iʻve also just opened a new studioshop in downtown Auburn. For more information, please see my About page.