From the late 1700's to the mid 1950's, a vast majority of Americans worked and lived as farmers. From 90% of the population in 1790 to the 25 million in 1950. It was a part of society that has been written about, painted, told in movies and remembered by many. The American farm & farmer reached legendary status throughout the world and was a large reason why this nation grew.
But, the lure of city jobs, technology advancements, farmers debt in the 1980's and the decrease in crop prices due to world wide competition, introduced the country to large corporate farms and a steady decrease in the rural population.
This body of work isn't about trying to preserve a way of life, fight against corporate farming, or save historical buildings. It's about looking at the ruins left behind when 30 million people leave.
These structures rise up from the horizon, sit on top raised ground, along side growing crops, but eventually they will all return to the earth. Buildings that would cost more to tear down than the land they are on is worth.
While the pyramids in Egypt and the Great Wall in China, will be around for our children's children to see, this period in time when the majority of what remains from our countries beginning will soon become another piece of Lost Americana.
These are the images of what it looks like when a society disappears.
Vincent David Johnson
Virginia
Colorado
LouisianaI've taken may pictures of my journeys and sometimes I see things out in the country that need to photographed, that aren't part of the the main theme. This is a collection of that work. I guess you can title it "The Rest of Americana".