My World: La Vaupiliere

[Rob Naylor]

On my doorstep - a local chateau in the process of being reclaimed by Mother Nature.
Shame there are so many of these old derelicts slowly falling down.

(This is a 3 exposure HDR - hence the increased clarity and shadow detail)
Done in the same manner at the "tales from the riverbank" collection, but left in colour.

My favourite element of this image is the white blossom on the Horse Chestnut Tree.

La Vaupiliere

​

 

[Asher Kelman]

On my doorstep - a local chateau in the process of being reclaimed by Mother Nature.
Shame there are so many of these old derelicts slowly falling down.

(This is a 3 exposure HDR - hence the increased clarity and shadow detail)
Done in the same manner at the "tales from the riverbank" collection, but left in colour.

My favourite element of this image is the white blossom on the Horse Chestnut Tree.

La Vaupiliere

​

I like old buildings like this. Lucky to live where you do. You'll never be bored!!

You have done a good job here Rob. I like your HDR, as it is not over obvious. I would consider adding back some shadows in the vegetation as it lacks the mood that goes with neglect as it's so expertly lit!!!

I hear that a lot of U.K. residents are buying properties in France as the value of the Euro gives the buyers a huge advantage and the quality of life is pretty good too! Is this place just abandoned by some family too rich to care or too poor to restore it? It's a paradox that it would be allowed to deteriorate, such a venerable building!

Asher

 

[Rob Naylor]

Thanks for the comments Asher.

There are many buildings like this in the area, old and full of character, but falling into disrepair.
I think the reason possibly lies with the French inheritance laws, each child gets equal share of the inheritance (regardless of their age), so when a child is below the age of responsibility, their share of the house cannot be sold, it is effectively held in trust until they come of age. Also, since the house could be owned by many individuals (eg large family) it gets very difficult for all to agree to the sale and share the outcome. The result is a house with many owners, none of who wish to pay for its upkeep, or a house held in trust until all owners are of age, and again no-one wishes to pay upkeep until that happens.
I may be wrong with this surmise and stand to be corrected, but this is as I understand it from the locals here.

In any event, it is very sad to see so many of these buildings deteriorate to ultimate destruction. Nature can be cruel and very effective - see below for more examples...

Dereliction 1

Dereliction 2

Dereliction 3

​

 

[Paul Abbott]

What a lovely initial image. I can see this working as a great B&W given all that texture and detail in the picture...

 

[Jesse Brown]

Thanks for the comments Asher.

There are many buildings like this in the area, old and full of character, but falling into disrepair.
I think the reason possibly lies with the French inheritance laws, each child gets equal share of the inheritance (regardless of their age), so when a child is below the age of responsibility, their share of the house cannot be sold, it is effectively held in trust until they come of age. Also, since the house could be owned by many individuals (eg large family) it gets very difficult for all to agree to the sale and share the outcome. The result is a house with many owners, none of who wish to pay for its upkeep, or a house held in trust until all owners are of age, and again no-one wishes to pay upkeep until that happens.
I may be wrong with this surmise and stand to be corrected, but this is as I understand it from the locals here.

In any event, it is very sad to see so many of these buildings deteriorate to ultimate destruction. Nature can be cruel and very effective - see below for more examples...

Dereliction 1

Dereliction 2

Dereliction 3

​

These are very beautiful.

 

[Asher Kelman]

Thanks for the comments Asher.

There are many buildings like this in the area, old and full of character, but falling into disrepair.
I think the reason possibly lies with the French inheritance laws, each child gets equal share of the inheritance (regardless of their age), so when a child is below the age of responsibility, their share of the house cannot be sold, it is effectively held in trust until they come of age. Also, since the house could be owned by many individuals (eg large family) it gets very difficult for all to agree to the sale and share the outcome. The result is a house with many owners, none of who wish to pay for its upkeep, or a house held in trust until all owners are of age, and again no-one wishes to pay upkeep until that happens.
I may be wrong with this surmise and stand to be corrected, but this is as I understand it from the locals here.

In any event, it is very sad to see so many of these buildings deteriorate to ultimate destruction. Nature can be cruel and very effective - see below for more examples...

Dereliction 1

Dereliction 2

​

These are very beautiful.

Jesse, yes, they are beautiful! but then they are also melancholic. There's a huge loss here.

At first, one thinks there's a grand old stone home and imagines the people there now or maybe that it could be easily updated with the latest amenities.



Dereliction 3

​

Then one sees this image and the air is taken out of any celebration............ it's really just a shell of an existence. The major cost of the house, all the wooden framing, (even before plumbing, sewage, kitchen and electricity) is utterly missing!

That's really sad!

Still it is beautiful, in that sad way for lost opportunities.

Asher