Some of the abandoned homes I’ve photographed over the years have begun the slow process of being taken back by Mother Nature, whereas others are almost beyond belief in their scale and opulence. The house below, on the other hand, felt very different. A lot of it was filled with clutter, but a few rooms gave a real sense of the lives once lived there, such as their interests, and the approximate time period. A weird sense of intimacy that was further added to by the photo albums left behind. Faces that conjure up so many questions, but at the same time offer next to nothing in the way of answers, as despite the words of Karen Carpenter that once echoed throughout the house, it will sadly never be yesterday once more.
Steve says
I’m getting major The last of Us vibes with this one.
Lee says
Yes, definitely that kind of feel. Especially so with the game consoles..
Denise says
This is so sad but such beautiful pictures and writing. Thank you for sharing and reminding me of what a voice Karen Carpenter had.
Lee says
Thank you very much. Those personal details really added to it. As did that Carpenters record.
cdilla says
Taking a slow look through these photographs with Karen Carpenter singing in the background is quite a moving experience. It strikes me that she sang this when only 23. Quite takes me back to my mid teens sat in my room gazing out over the fields when I should have been doing homework and listening to this – not realizing that half a century later I’d be listening to the same song and understanding the truth in its words.
The LUNA SEA cd makes me think the objects span a generation. My Pink Telephone jukebox occasionally throws their songs up when I dial the 80s.
Right – just listening to Top of the World now – that has shaken off the slightly maudlin mood 🙂 Time to get some work done.
Lee says
The song I could vaguely remember, but it was the title more than anything that got me. Perfect really, in a genuinely poignant way.
Yes, the other music there, and the PS1 suggest a fair few years of living there. As do the golf photos. All of which make you wonder even more what happened.
Richard says
Amazing to me that people would leave photos. Not even one family member to take albums in order to determine what to keep?!?
Lee says
Yes, it’s a weird one. Always takes me by surprise. And yet that said, I’ve found so many photos like this in abandoned homes.
Paul says
I especialy love this one, no doubt because of the same stuff that surrounds me right now.
Sometimes I think about what tracks I’ll leave when dead and I wish my home would stay in the same state for decades. I know it’s quite impossible but I like this thougts.
By the way, I tried to find your post about a house once inhabited by a woman and her daughter, left in a pretty good state but couldn’t find it. Do you think you could give me the link to it ?
Best regards
Lee says
Yeah, I think the more modern things left behind give it more impact. Much more relatable.
Hmm, that’s a good question. Can’t think of it off the top of my head, but when I get some time on Sunday I’ll see if I can find it.
cdilla says
This one maybe
https://www.tokyotimes.org/kimono-shop-haikyo/
Paul says
Ha yes ! Thank you very much ! I’m going to bookmark it.
scruffy says
Have any of us ever moved out of a place and left a bunch of stuff behind? Yes, I have. There was no sensational story. The landlord sold the house and we had to be out by the end of the month. I moved in with some friends, just taking what would fit in a car, planning to go back later with a friend’s truck. Never got around to it. Among the things I left were my scrapbook from my teen years, a box with childhood photos, winter clothes. These things happen.
But who could part with a Gameboy? I’m hearing the Tetris soundtrack. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmCCQxVBfyM
The little desiccated mouse!
Lee says
That’s a good point. Many reasons why things can get left behind. Some sad, others just practical or a simple necessity.
But yeah, the Gameboy was an unexpected first. Really wish I’d had batteries with me. Reckon there was a very good chance of it still working. And yes, the mouse…
Marc says
I still find it so bizarre how folks can leave some of these things behind. Family photos? That is sad.
Lee says
It is, but then like scruffy mentioned above, there are various situations that can prompt it. Such photos left behind do always hit me though, and they certainly raise a lot of questions.