48 Comments
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Mark Foard's avatar

That's such a clever, original idea for a 'zine, Susanne. It fits perfectly with your wonderful photos. Abandoned places can be so photogenic.

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Susanne Helmert's avatar

Thank you, Mark! And yes, abandoned place are always fascinating time capsules.

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Benjamin Fargen's avatar

Love this. Great set complete with textures Well done🖤📷

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Susanne Helmert's avatar

Thank you, Benjamin. So good to hear you enjoyed this!

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Nicole Suzanne Photography's avatar

Such a fantastic creative zine! I love that you bring your photography to the next level with mix media❣️

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Susanne Helmert's avatar

I guess some people would say it is a no-go, but I think use whatever helps to let your creative voice speak!

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Nicole Suzanne Photography's avatar

I agree! Possibilities for art should always remain endless

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Omid Kianersi's avatar

I really enjoyed these. Just subscribed. Looking forward to more.

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Susanne Helmert's avatar

Thank you, and welcome!

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Jack McNulty's avatar

Excellent images - I'm happy you shared them...

Isn't it fascinating to see how nature is reclaiming this space?

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Susanne Helmert's avatar

Yes, nature reclaiming it’s ground is always fascinating to see in these place. But also how the passage presents itself through peeling paint, rust and patina. I could spent hours in a place like this, just looking for all these details.

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Gill Moon Photography's avatar

Such an original idea Susanne and some lovely images - I really enjoyed seeing how you have brought this project to life.

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Susanne Helmert's avatar

Thank you, Gill! It is good to har you enjoyed this.

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Mary Martha's avatar

Beautiful photos and zine, Susanne! The colors and textures really add to the nostalgia. I wish I could get into my now abandoned school for a look.

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Susanne Helmert's avatar

Thank you, Mary! Oh, what an experience this must be to explore the school you went to. That would add just an extra layer of nostalgia and excitement…

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Juliette's avatar

There's so much here, Susanne - There's the quality of the images, the lighting, the theme, the color, the choices in pairing... much more. Overall, I'm super impressed that you took an experience that was on the boundary for you and found a way to beautify and personalize it. This is what art is all about! You always inspire me.

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Susanne Helmert's avatar

Thank you so much for your kind feedback, Juliette. As with every experience, time helped me to get some distance to the feelings I had on that trip and shortly after. I also used that time to reflect a bit more on it all. The process of working on this little project helped me with it. It means a lot to me that you looked at it from that perspective and not as just another zine I made. Thank you!

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Xavi Buendia's avatar

Great shots Susanne. I had to look at rhe zine on my monitor in full screen to see all the details, it's excellent!

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Susanne Helmert's avatar

Thank you for taking the time, Xavi!

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søren k. harbel's avatar

These are great images. When human walk away and leave things to rot and return to nature, it always brings up a flow of emotions. You go looking for the story of why? Declining birth-rates, depopulation, real-estate speculation, bad water, etc. I always find it haunting. Thank you!

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Susanne Helmert's avatar

Thank you, Søren. And yes, I usually try to find out a bit of the history of a place. And if we can't (my travel companions and I) we will make up our own stories what may have led people abandoning a place.

Another thing we do is, we look up the history of smaller towns we come through to learn a few bits while traveling. In northern Florida there was always lynching and racial violence involved in the town's histories...

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søren k. harbel's avatar

Well, that is not exactly the Florida, most people know. The US South still has some truth and reconcilliation to go through. And it will take a long while.

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Susanne Helmert's avatar

And now, probably even longer.

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Alicia Paley's avatar

I love how your zines are always so creative!

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Susanne Helmert's avatar

Thank you, Alicia! It always fun to be play and experiment a bit.

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Stella Kalaw's avatar

Gorgeous, Susanne! The textural quality lends itself well with your photographs. One of favorites by far. So inspiring! Thank you.

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Susanne Helmert's avatar

Wow, thank you! That is great to hear. Thank you for your feedback.

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KewtieBird’s Photo Journey's avatar

Fun layers, textures, colors and rust in your series. Cool zine idea too! Thanks for sharing.

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Susanne Helmert's avatar

Thank you! Yeah, abandoned places have the best textures!

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Rob Woller's avatar

I joined Substack to read quality stories, and I’ve stuck around for the photography. Your images are so engaging, so cool. Thanks for sharing 🙏

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Susanne Helmert's avatar

This is very kind of you to say! Thank you for being here. I am glad you enjoy my work!

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Shital Morjaria (she/her)'s avatar

Lovely images Susanne

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Susanne Helmert's avatar

Thank you, Shital!

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Ralph Turner's avatar

Superb set. Brilliant 'zine, reminded me of the journaling that my wife does on occasion.

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Susanne Helmert's avatar

Thank you, Ralph. I used to use these materials for collages and thought they might work for this purpose too!

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