Have to make it a point of getting down here this year. Thank you for the tour. Love your photographs of the place. Especially like the Lancaster Bomber shot and the Before My Time Is Up installation.
Thanks, John! It really is an interesting place. It was unfortunate that we couldn’t get in to get a closer look at the Lanc but maybe next time. Here in Toronto we are lucky to get frequent sightings of an airworthy Lancaster that’s based in Hamilton as it often flies over the city during the summer.
It was very interesting reading the many comments on The Before My Time Is Up installation. I would imagine that there will be plenty more installations open by the summer.
I am particularly appreciative of your framing. Careful consideration of reflections and summetry, when either was available to you. This is a thoughtful presentation, carefully curated. The photos could stand in their own, with little or no captions. Nicely done.
Thank you so much, Mark for your comments. I really appreciate that you took the time to read the post and provide such thoughtful feedback. Happy Thanksgiving for tomorrow.
There are layers upon layers of lives and events in this country that we ignore. It’s evident in most of our cities as well: we are quick to raze the past and erect a shiny new. It’s only in the past couple of decades that most of us have started becoming aware of the Indigenous history of the land. And recent history gets erased as well.
Thank you for pulling back a layer. So much here that is new to me. Love the story telling and the evocative photos. And the faded past slowly turning into a saturated present.
Thanks, Marcello! Canada may not have same kind of history as other parts of the world but that doesn’t mean it isn’t interesting and there’s plenty to learn about. I’ve seen this airfield on previous visits to Picton but this last visit was the first time I heard about its history and its significance during WW2. I’ll definitely have to go back and do a follow up post in a year or two.
Glad to hear that you liked the story telling and the photos. Your comments are much appreciated.
This is such a great story. You capture it very well. I like your split between the colour work and the b+w. With the weather and the puddles, it has a great vibe. I hope much of what I see in the b+w doesn't get too commercial. Not a big fan of sticking stuff on the outside. Shingle walls should be allowed to go grey/silver. The silver of old cedar shingles is so beautiful. Thank you for sharing. Another stop for when back in Canada next.
Thanks so much, Søren. I’m glad you liked the colour/b&w split. It seemed like a logical way to show the before and after changes. Also, the tones and textures of the older buildings just called out for b&w. I too hope that it doesn’t get too commercial although that might be the price to pay compared to the other potential alternative of razing it to the ground. Definitely worth a visit when you’re next in Canada and Prince Edward County as a whole is absolutely lovely.
Very interesting Mark.
Thanks, Shital and thanks for the repost too.
Have to make it a point of getting down here this year. Thank you for the tour. Love your photographs of the place. Especially like the Lancaster Bomber shot and the Before My Time Is Up installation.
Thanks, John! It really is an interesting place. It was unfortunate that we couldn’t get in to get a closer look at the Lanc but maybe next time. Here in Toronto we are lucky to get frequent sightings of an airworthy Lancaster that’s based in Hamilton as it often flies over the city during the summer.
It was very interesting reading the many comments on The Before My Time Is Up installation. I would imagine that there will be plenty more installations open by the summer.
Love the black ad whites, great shots.
Thank you! Much appreciated.
Love it
Thank you so much, Fred 🙏. Happy to hear that you liked the post.
How fantastic that the buildings are to be remembered, restored, and used as creative spaces. As you say, it would have been so easy to demolish them.
So true. Thankfully, there are still some people around with foresight. It’ll be interesting to go back in a couple of years and see how it’s going.
I am particularly appreciative of your framing. Careful consideration of reflections and summetry, when either was available to you. This is a thoughtful presentation, carefully curated. The photos could stand in their own, with little or no captions. Nicely done.
Thank you so much, Mark for your comments. I really appreciate that you took the time to read the post and provide such thoughtful feedback. Happy Thanksgiving for tomorrow.
Very interesting history and images.
Thanks, KB
Very interesting Mark.
Thanks, Clee
Great piece of writing on the topic of Base 31 in Picton. You bring the ghosts of the past in that place back to life.
Thank you, Bill! Happy to hear that you liked it and I appreciate you taking the time to read it and respond.
There are layers upon layers of lives and events in this country that we ignore. It’s evident in most of our cities as well: we are quick to raze the past and erect a shiny new. It’s only in the past couple of decades that most of us have started becoming aware of the Indigenous history of the land. And recent history gets erased as well.
Thank you for pulling back a layer. So much here that is new to me. Love the story telling and the evocative photos. And the faded past slowly turning into a saturated present.
So good!
Thanks, Marcello! Canada may not have same kind of history as other parts of the world but that doesn’t mean it isn’t interesting and there’s plenty to learn about. I’ve seen this airfield on previous visits to Picton but this last visit was the first time I heard about its history and its significance during WW2. I’ll definitely have to go back and do a follow up post in a year or two.
Glad to hear that you liked the story telling and the photos. Your comments are much appreciated.
This is such a great story. You capture it very well. I like your split between the colour work and the b+w. With the weather and the puddles, it has a great vibe. I hope much of what I see in the b+w doesn't get too commercial. Not a big fan of sticking stuff on the outside. Shingle walls should be allowed to go grey/silver. The silver of old cedar shingles is so beautiful. Thank you for sharing. Another stop for when back in Canada next.
Thanks so much, Søren. I’m glad you liked the colour/b&w split. It seemed like a logical way to show the before and after changes. Also, the tones and textures of the older buildings just called out for b&w. I too hope that it doesn’t get too commercial although that might be the price to pay compared to the other potential alternative of razing it to the ground. Definitely worth a visit when you’re next in Canada and Prince Edward County as a whole is absolutely lovely.
Great photos and story! Thanks for this fascinating piece Mark!