I am fortunate that in the area I live (Andalucia Spain) there are numerous abandoned cortijos. They make great photography subjects. This one is in the municipality of Martos.
What is a cortijo?
A cortijo is a type of traditional rural dwelling in southern Spain, often associated with farming. They are often isolated structures and can comprise a complex of buildings including a large house for the owner and family, and various outbuildings, including workers’ quarters, sheds, oil mills and a livestock enclosure. The nearest UK equivalent would be a farmhouse.
Many cortijos became deserted following the abandonment of traditional agricultural practices by the youth and the lifestyle changes that swept over rural Spain during the second half of the 20th century.
The Photographs
Camera: Mamiya RB67
Lens: Mamiya-Sekor C 90mm f/3.8
Film: Ilford HP4 Plus 120 film
Developer: Ilfotec DD-X – 10 minutes – 10 inversions in the first 30 seconds, then 3 inversions every 60 seconds.
I shot the photographs in the evening, mostly after the sun had dipped behind the mountains. The light was soft and uniform.
