When shooting still life, I love using a rustic photography background. Therefore I’m aways on the lookout for new and unusual pieces to add to my collection. I have a lot of barn wood in the form of coffee tables, side tables, and potting benches. I use old doors (front and back), and my recently acquired old table, covered in scratches and paint splats. But it seems I’m never satisfied!
So begins my (shameful) story of … dumpster diving … . As we live in a rural setting, we don’t have garbage pickup, and I have to take our garbage to the dump once a week. Well, at said dump, there’s an area called “take it or leave it” and I’ve done my share of leaving (mostly junk that could go into the landfill, but with a little tlc, could be salvaged.)
But on occasion, my eye wanders as I’m dropping stuff off … and one day I spied these … and of course it’s not the poppies … or the books …
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At the back of the building sat a pile of something … something I recognized, but couldn’t quite believe. It was an old Hoosier, falling apart, and not all there. I gasped. I have a Hoosier, and it’s a treasured family heirloom from my husband’s parents. Check it out here if you feel the urge to see what I’m talking about.
With a sinking feeling, I knew in my heart I wasn’t going to be able to drag the whole thing home. I’m not physically capable, my car isn’t big enough, and I couldn’t involve the hubs. On top of that, it would need to be completely restored with new pieces built from scratch … just.not.going.to.happen. What to do.
Well, I knew I could not walk away from the enamel table top, so I sheepishly dragged it to the car and hoisted it into the trunk. This table top sparked a whole series on white enamel #fromtheenameltabletop so I have no regrets about it. I know I’m going to be using it all winter, it’s easy to move, and will work extremely well with the changing light in my home.
After that, I couldn’t stop myself … into the car went all the drawers … the pile was impressive …
When I got home, I washed the pieces, and proceeded to hide them under the deck, all the time wondering what I was turning into … an eccentric hoarder perhaps? During the summer I felt guilt and angst every time I saw the pile … but I knew … I knew I’d be using pieces of it sooner or later. And what the heck, I could always take all of it back to the dump.
So, the background for my images today is metal … a metal drawer and a metal lid. I think it looks beyond amazing, especially when one of Kim’s Lightroom presets is applied. Pure magic.
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My only regret is I didn’t drag home more.
I love this post! I’m a dumpster diver myself and can relate to every bit of what you’re saying. Being in NYC with limited space, it’s hard to walk away from beautiful woods found at a reno site, but I have to reluctantly. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much Robin!
What a fantastic find! Love, love, love these pieces as backgrounds! Oh, I wish I knew of a place to go dumpster diving! It cost to go into the city dump and everything is crushed immediately!!
Thank you Cathy! Oh that makes me sad … I say at least give people a chance to salvage treasures!
Oh, Barb, I would have loved to see you dragging it all to the car … ! :-)
The metal makes a great background … and so lovely with the red accents !
Have a nice week,
Sylvia
Thank you Sylvia!
Love your story Barb, it made me smile. What a find though !
Thank you Caz :)
Oh Barb…..WHAT a story! LOVE it! I would’ve done the same as you and dragged every piece of that thing home that I could have. Thanks so much for sharing your find! Does hubs know yet?? Curious minds want to know!!
lol Cheryl! he knows but turns a blind eye! :)
This makes a wonderful background, Barb!
Love this story especially where you kept the pieces! Our dump does not allow anyone to take the smallest piece of ‘rubbish’ – hubby saw a small piece of wood which would have been useful in his modelling and was shouted at and warned he was on camera! Seems silly to me. It would just get destroyed. So continue searching!
You have the best stories Barb , this one had me laughing out loud , I would love to go dumpster hunting with you . Actually I think our dump has something similar. Your images with your new back drop are simply amazing !
Haha- that’s awesome – both the background and the story. Totally with you. My friends think in crazy picking junk up from anywhere I come across. Good find Barb!
Oh my, finding an old Hoosier! I’d have taken the parts too. Do you know the term “hoosier” comes from Indiana where I live? They are so expensive here, even the worst condition ones. I’m still on the look out for a rustic table or metal top.
Barb, your stories make me smile just every time I visit. I love your attitude and your willingness to go after what you want and by the way, such a terrific find. The metal pieces really make these captures pop. We aren’t allowed to collect things at our dump so I’ll have to find my “treasures” some where else…..
I was seriously laughing out loud! You’ve made my day. In fact I think I’ll go garage sale-ing tomorrow.