End of the day, all the visitors had left.
A few photographers stayed late and were wandering around. We were hoping for a colorful sunset. This is the best we had. A storm was passing by off the coast bringing winds and clouds.
Most of us had stocked up on snacks and sweet tea (unsweet tea) curtesy of the plantation and had moved on to their favorite spots to shoot a bit before heading home.
Magnolia Plantation, Charleston, South Carolina.
The wrought iron fences from 100+ years ago is a continuous fascinating photo subject for me. The ‘rust and ruin’ can be beautiful.
The other day I made a point of focusing (pun intended) of the different styles I found on a walk.
Besides an interesting subject it was a good way to work some new gear, and teach my fingers an entirely new set of buttons and dials.
This is a family plot dating to 1858, pre Civil War. The date is important since in a short 5 years the wealth and style here would completely change due to the war.
The fence looks like a garden arbor.
Not all the fence has survived unfortunately. It’s still better than some which are out in the open to the wet, sun, and storms of the Lowcountry.
One of the locals, a goat at Middleton Plantation farm, ignoring me and the world in general.
However suddenly things changed quickly. Two voices he recognized from the other side of the tall fence. At least one of those voices was sure to have food.
It was basically ‘out of my way’ when he stood on two legs looking over the fence. And yes! One of them had an arm full of fresh straw.
The sounds he made were pitiful. Goat calls confused as to why the hay was not for him. I was standing next to him and he kept looking at me, the hay, then back to me. An ‘Open The Door’ noise started.
Finally I moved away, if he turned his head fast one of those horns would hurt. We did have a pretty nice conversation for a time though.
Taken in the barn yard, Middleton Plantation, Charleston.
This image was shot while passing behind the Middleton Plantation buildings. Before the US Civil War the houses were much larger. The main building of today was actually only a side structure to the big house, maybe the library.
This rice plantation was known to have one of the largest formal gardens in North America. Some of the formal gardens still exist and each spring colorful blossoms and visitors are everywhere.
Note; variations of this photograph have been published multiple times on this site. Each a bit different, this particular was taken as I learned new gear and for comparison to other images.
I’m not sure these pieces even fit together. There was a wrought iron fence though. The marsh is pretty close so it might not matter too much longer.
Maybe the best B&W, Monochrome, photography subjects you can find. We visit the various grounds whenever we can and find all new ways to shoot ea h time.
This is the time of year for a camp meeting, revivals. A great time to stop by.
The grounds here have 99 tents (cabins) built around an open sided tabernacle. This is private property, be respectful and people are happy to stop by and chat.
Indian Fields, South Carolina.
Prior to 1850 this small building was a spring house. When repaired it was turned into a chapel for a plantation.
In 1865 most of Middleton Plantation was burned by the 56th New York Regiment marching towards Charleston. The chapel remained.
Middleton Plantation, South Carolina.
Photographed on a hill side sloping down towards an old rice field behind Middleton Place plantation. I’m not sure this does the scene justice, big Oaks and Moss are beautiful.
I was hesitant to call this a ‘hill’. We are in the Lowcountry and that means flat, sea level. That said one day I did search for high ground around Charleston. One of the highest is actually right here on this property. It’s a real honest to goodness hill.
