Abandoned mine building in Mazarrón 2/5

by byRienk photography

A weathered arch frames the view into an abandoned complex of buildings. Behind the crumbling façade, the arched openings follow one after the other right up to the rear wall, which features a round window. The roof is gone. A tree towers above the walls and, beneath the dark, cloudy sky, the wet floor catches the light and forms a line of sight towards the rear.

What drew me to this scene was the depth and the repetition of the arches. The large opening in the foreground frames the scene, whilst the lines of the walls guide your gaze further into the building. Traces of decay are visible everywhere: loose stones, cracks and exposed brickwork. Where people once worked hard here, everything now lies still and nature is gradually reclaiming the space.

Through the black-and-white processing, I emphasise light, shadow and rough textures. I wanted to make the silence of this place palpable, leaving room for the viewer to wonder what once took place here.

This photograph is part of my series ‘Monochrome echoes from the past’. The image lends depth and character to an interior. The weathered architecture complements an industrial interior, whilst the calm black-and-white tones also go well with wood, natural materials and light-coloured walls.