Justin Hamel Photography

Salem, Massachusetts

Salem, Massachusetts

Salem, Massachusetts

darwinmagazine:

DAY 11 - DARWIN MAGAZINE

Sean Stewart - Rivertown

Synopsis: 

The photographs in Rivertown explore the post-industrial landscape of my native Western Pennsylvania. They tell a story about what has become of the communities that were left behind in the wake of Big Steel’s exit during the 1970s. These pictures, mostly of houses, describe where people live and how the land was shaped to fit the needs of the iron boomtowns. The men and woman who used to live in these houses traded their time for meager wages that paid for mortgages, new vinyl siding, and gasoline. For the next generation there is only an inheritance of stagnation, littered with empty mills and abandoned mines. After the passing of these thriving industries what is to become of this way of life?

Here, time is not unlike any other exhausted resource expelled back into the Monongahela, Allegheny, and Ohio Rivers – a quiet erosion reshaping the riverbanks and hillsides. Now there exists a disconnect within communities, a certain cold isolation and anxiety about the future. These photographs, made in the winters between 2007 and 2011, serve as relics of a particular place situated in time. They remain, as if fixed in hot ash, documents of a fallen empire.

DARWIN MAGAZINE

It’s been quite a while since I’ve had a moment to update my blog but don’t worry, I haven’t stopped shooting.  Quite the opposite actually.  I’ve been busy photographing 10-15 houses per week and any free moment I am out working on personal projects.  Here’s one such house from today in Scituate, Massachusetts.  I’m also finally beginning to develop my huge backlog of film dating back Thanksgiving that I’ve been neglecting so expect to see quite a bit of new work up in the near future; including a new Residential Architecture portfolio and updates to the Industrial portfolio as well.

Additionally, I am proud to announce that I have been selected to show work in the Salem Arts Festival’s Juried Exhibit in Old Town Hall from June 5th through the 7th.  Come say Hello and check out all of the amazing art that will be presented throughout the downtown.

Here’s a five minute or so edit from a house that I photographed yesterday.  The last two weeks have been spent photographing two to three houses a day and will continue like this for the foreseeable future.  On top of photographing residential real estate I am still freelancing on the side and have a few extra shoots to look forward to.  As always I’m available for work, whether it be portraits, events, or commercial/residential architecture.  Here’s to keeping busy!

Tree House

Lincoln, Vermont

Bristol, Vermont

Bristol, Vermont