Yes, there was no shortage of barns to shoot in the Palouse. Although most of the time when we stopped to shoot a barn it wasn't in the best of light, we made the best of it and just tried to create good compositions. The barns all seemed to be unique, either because of their shapes, color, condition or location.
This one on the left was different because of its round shaped roofline and because there were a couple of llamas in front of it.
This one on the right was another of the many barns that had seen better days.
Go figure another "red" barn. Which did beg the question as to why red became the default color for barns. I was thinking it had to do with the availability of red pigments for paints back in the day. Anybody have any other ideas?
Reminds me of little house on the prairie. Love them all !!
ReplyDeleteVicky
Centuries ago, European farmers would seal the wood on their barns with an oik, often linseed oil. The color, one theory the farmer added blood from a recent slaughter. In the mid to late 1800s, as paints began to be produced with chemical pigment, red was the most inexpensive to buy. Aren't you sorry you asked? Oh ya I like them all.
ReplyDeleteCut & Pasted out of another blog:
ReplyDeleteFarmers’ Almanac Trivia – Why are barns painted red?
by Sandi Duncan | Tuesday, September 16th, 2008 | From: Farmers' Almanac Blog
Ever wonder why old barns are usually red in color? Red is (or, perhaps, was) a popular color for barns due not to its color shade but for its usefulness.
Many years ago, choices for paints, sealers and other building materials did not exist. Farmers had to be resourceful in finding or making a paint that would protect and seal the wood on their barns. Hundreds of years ago, many farmers would seal their barns with linseed oil, which is an orange-colored oil derived from the seeds of the flax plant. To this oil, they would add a variety of things, most often milk and lime, but also ferrous oxide, or rust. Rust was plentiful on farms and because it killed fungi and mosses that might grow on barns, was very effective as a sealant. It turned the mixture red in color.
When paint became more available, many people chose red paint for their barns in honor of tradition.
Thanks John and "Anonymous" for your input. You know there had to be a reason why barns are red.
ReplyDeleteBill,
ReplyDeleteLove following your blog and seeing the amazing photographs that you are capturing. Sounds like your trip was a great time! Keep sharing what you enjoy...because we enjoy them too.
Mary
Thanks Mary. I appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like "anonymous" read the same article I did LOL Anyway, despite the difficult lighting, I think these photos turned out beautifully! I especially like the first and last one.
ReplyDelete-Sandy*
The first barn is my favorite. Keep 'em coming Dad.
ReplyDelete