My lens is drawn to the Pittsburgh region and its unique environment, etched by the ebb and flow of its economy. Once a thriving industrial powerhouse that supplied the world with steel throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, Pittsburgh was ravaged by the crash of the steel industry in the late 70s and early 80s, leaving lasting economic devastation in its wake. While the city of Pittsburgh has recently begun its journey of recovery, many surrounding areas continue to bear the scars of this tumultuous past.
These towns, nestled among the steel mills and rivers, exude a poignant atmosphere that speaks of the bygone era. Within their confines, shuttered storefronts stand as solemn sentinels, remnants of a time when bustling activity filled their interiors. Dilapidated homes wear the weight of neglect, their faded facades whispering stories of lives once lived. Along the riverbanks, vast swaths of land preserve the memory of the majestic mills that once defined the landscape.
As I train my camera on these evocative scenes, I am enveloped by a bittersweet sentiment. It is a haunting reminder of what once thrived and now lingers in the depths of memory. Deliberately seeking moments devoid of human presence or bustling activity, I allow the built environment to narrate its own tale. Through the lens, the silent structures bear witness to the rise and fall, the triumphs and tribulations of an industrial past, etching a visual story that resonates with the echoes of time.
