Rural ruins
As a photographer I'm particularly drawn to derelict old buildings in picturesque countryside settings. There's something about the contrast between the decaying state of the abandoned manmade structure and the natural beauty of its surroundings. Sometimes the contrast is stark but sometimes the building actually adds a certain element of interest to the scene, providing a focal point to an image. Very often I find that the camera doesn't do justice to what my eyes tell me is a beautiful scene. The inclusion of an old ruin can certainly add an element of interest. The image below is Rosedale in the North York Moors National Park and the ruin was once a cottage belonging to the nearby Rosedale East Mines. Here, from 1864 to 1926, ironstone was mined from the daleside by the Rosedale Mining Company. Today the area is tranquil but once the whole valley was scarred with mining activity and a rai...