Vanquished Flock, Sherman County, Oregon

Wesley Picotte

Vanquished Flock, Sherman County, Oregon

Central and eastern Oregon is spotted with once vibrant farming communities that today exist as little more than a crossroads. This old church served such a community. It remains standing but the town it once served is no more.

Please check out my series Grain Elevator, Sherman County, Oregon for a look at another historic Oregon building.

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Vanquished Flock, Sherman County, Oregon belongs to the following groups:

Architectural Photography, Dilapidated Buildings, Goldrush and Ghost Towns, Human and Nature, Pacific Northwest , United States and Western United States Artists and Photographers Available for sale as

Greeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints and Framed Prints
Vanquished Flock, Sherman County, Oregon by Wesley Picotte
Vanquished Flock, Sherman County, Oregon by Wesley Picotte
  • Roddy Atkinson

    Roddy Atkinson

    Stunning capture, kinda spooky though!

  • Wesley Picotte replied

    Thanks Roddy!

  • Morris Hill

    Morris Hill

    great image capture, the sky reallllly adds to the mood of the desolate church, good job and keep up the good work

  • Wesley Picotte replied

    Thanks much, Morris. You, too!

  • Josh Osborn

    Josh Osborn

    Great shot! Love the clouds!

  • Wesley Picotte replied

    Josh, thanks a lot for taking a look.

  • BFUN

    BFUN

    mm so haunting! I love the mood it creates.

  • Wesley Picotte replied

    Thanks BFUN—yeah, it was freaky in person when I found this place.

  • courier

    courier

    This is a great capture. The sky and trees add so much to the atmosphere of the whole shot.

  • Wesley Picotte replied

    Thanks very much—I really appreciate you taking a look.

  • Rebs O

    Rebs O

    very creepy.. gives me the willies just lookign at it!

  • Wesley Picotte replied

    Yep…there were abandoned building s like this all over the place. I went into an abandoned, completely overgrown farmhouse that I found right at dusk and that was weird. I stayed out of the basement :)

  • ozrebelxti

    ozrebelxti

    AWESOME CLOUD FORMATION OVER A STUNNING OLD CHURCH AND BRILLIANTLY CAPTURED WELL DONE.

  • Wesley Picotte replied

    Thanks very much!

  • Craig Hender

    Craig Hender

    Superb!!!!!!!!!!! Excellent b&w, and composition is fantastic.

  • Wesley Picotte replied

    Thank you very much— cool comment!

  • Geoffrey Wicking

    Geoffrey Wicking

    Gorgeous shot. Brilliant.

  • Wesley Picotte replied

    :-) Just luck!

  • Margie Dillow

    Margie Dillow

    Brilliant shot

  • Wesley Picotte replied

    Thanks Dmargie!

  • ltruskett

    ltruskett

    OOooooohhhhh, I love that sky…..........the ruined church is fairly creepy and that sky just adds that delicious shiver down the spine. The perspective also add the ‘pyscho house’ look too. Well done.

  • Wesley Picotte replied

    thanks ltruskett. It was creepy!

  • Tom Vaughan

    Tom Vaughan

    awesome image…

  • Wesley Picotte replied

    Thanks Tom. I love your Mesmerized pieces—really cool!

  • KBSImages

    KBSImages

    Outstanding Image!!!!! Simply Beautiful!

  • Wesley Picotte replied

    Thanks!!!

  • Elana Bailey

    Elana Bailey

    Fabulous sky and mood to this shot. Well done.

  • Wesley Picotte replied

    Thanks Elana…I loved your Pantheon Interior shot…just back from Italy—what an amazing, amazing place!!! Cheers!

  • Emily Robida

    Emily Robida

    great treatment

  • Wesley Picotte replied

    Thank you, Emily :)

  • kcranmer

    kcranmer

    Ok this totally rocks, we’ve got old buildings just like this everywhere…love this!

  • Wesley Picotte

    Wesley Picotte

    Hah. Thanks Kellie—your comment is really appreciated. I’ve been spending a lot of time lately in Eastern Oregon and there you can find old building like this where farming communities once existed. I hope to post more like this one soon!

  • Beth Lambert

    Beth Lambert

    This is amazing. You should really enter it into the Stillness Speaks Competition “I’m Still Here” It would fit to a T!

  • Wesley Picotte replied

    Thanks Beth, for the comment and encouragement. I will do that for sure! Cheers!

  • bensound

    bensound

    Excellent shot, great atmosphere. Slow shutter speed really enhances the spookiness of the sky.

  • Wesley Picotte

    Wesley Picotte

    Thanks Ben. I should put the tech info up there - this is an HDR image, but not tone mapped or anything. I simply used a mask to reveal the sky, which I underexposed. The tendril-like clouds showed up in post-production - everything was like slate when I took the shots. I enhanced the effect I found with a small amount of dodge and burn. BTW, I should take the opp to say that your stuff rocks! Check him out, people.

  • Mel Brackstone

    Mel Brackstone

    What a magnificent capture! That sky really makes this work well.

  • Wesley Picotte replied

    Thanks Mel – much appreciated!

  • budrfli

    budrfli

    wonderfully shot and treated image of this old find!

  • Wesley Picotte replied

    Thanks so much, budrfli! Have you read Mary Oliver? After reading some of your poetry, you might like her…look for “5A.M. in the Pinewoods”. Cheers!

  • RLHall

    RLHall

    Wonderful shot full of atmosphere and history. Great treatment, love the sky!

  • Wesley Picotte replied

    Thank you!

  • savosave

    savosave

    excellent find,great capture

  • Wesley Picotte replied

    Thanks much, savosave. Checked out your portfolio…wow, some really amazing work there. Nice!

  • savosave

    savosave

    thank you Wesley,praise indeed !...you have a stunning portfolio

  • Elana Bailey

    Elana Bailey

    Lucky you, to have just been in Italy.

  • Wesley Picotte replied

    Yep…can’t wait to go back! What a truly incredible place.

  • Angelaka Black

    Angelaka Black

    Love It! That sky adds the perfect touch.

  • Wesley Picotte

    Wesley Picotte

    Thanks Angelaka! Can’t wait to see more of your work show up in your profile!

  • elliewinds

    elliewinds

    fantastic image! perfect composition and perspective and i love the sky!

  • Wesley Picotte replied

    Thanks :) The sky was a very pleasant surprise!

  • Nikki Mulkern

    Nikki Mulkern

    I love the atmosphere in this image, wonderful compostition and tone, love that sky!!!!!

  • Wesley Picotte replied

    Thanks much, Nikki!

  • PPPhotoArt

    PPPhotoArt

    wow this is superb!!!!! quite magical

  • Wesley Picotte replied

    Thank you!

  • AngelArtist

    AngelArtist

    Naunting and lovely

  • Wesley Picotte replied

    Thanks. You’re work is really amazing…cheers!

  • Gary L. Suddath

    Gary L. Suddath

    excellent shot

  • Wesley Picotte replied

    Thanks Gary. Love your Mingus Mill shot - really cool. Appears as though you’ve discovered quite a few of the old buildings in your neck of the woods - well done!

  • Cleburnus

    Cleburnus

    perfect

  • Wesley Picotte replied

    Thank you!

  • Karen Helgesen

    Karen Helgesen

    my goodness! I was going to leave a comment on the supernatural beauty of this photo, but it seems that all the great adjectives have already been taken! So, I will simply say:

    “Good work!”

  • Wesley Picotte replied

    Karen, thanks so much for your kind comment—much appreciated!!

  • enchanteries by Heather Parsons

    enchanteries b...

    I love this! Excellent work!

  • Wesley Picotte replied

    Thanks Heather!

  • MKWhite

    MKWhite

    What a great find, this is definately a photographer’s dream and you did an excellent job of capturing it.

  • Wesley Picotte replied

    Thanks so much!

  • Jeff Masamori

    Jeff Masamori

    Some ghostly clouds. As if they were rising out of the church.
    Very nice.

  • Wesley Picotte

    Wesley Picotte

    Thanks Jeff. Cheers

  • Sarai

    Sarai

    This is a great “End Times” picture. The sadness of a desolate House of God, left empty of people, but not of Him. The strength of the decaying church still standing represents the strength of the hope we still have. The stormy clouds represents to me the impending battle the world is truly about to face. Very moving message if one really looks close enough.
    S

  • Louise Cooke

    Louise Cooke

    wow, so full of energy and atmosphere…love what you’ve done here with the angle and the use of B&W..great capture!

  • Wesley Picotte replied

    Thanks Louise :)

  • Philippe Sainte-Laudy

    Philippe Saint...

    An excellent shot. Composed and taken very well my friend.
    (no HDR, only PS;o)

  • Wesley Picotte replied

    Aha. Well, very nice job in PS. It’s a terrific image.

  • Felicia Moore

    Felicia Moore

    Have I not commented on this image already?! For shame! This is a fantastic image, Wesley! Truly wonderful. It is powerful, dramatic, moody, eerie and filled with a sense of movement, place and history. I think this is my favorite of all your works thus far (though I do love “Tending the Line”, too, for its totally different feel). You got everything right here. Excellent shot!

  • Wesley Picotte replied

    Thank you, Felicia! Glad you like it :)

  • Mindy McGregor

    Mindy McGregor

    Wow!!! Amazing work!!!

  • Wesley Picotte replied

    Thanks Mindy! You have some terrific B&W landscapes in your portfolio!

  • Ryan Piercey

    Ryan Piercey

    Amazing shot!

  • Wesley Picotte replied

    Thanks for the comment, Ryan. Much appreciated.

  • Ogre

    Ogre

    I was gonna vote for mine, but…Wow! Nicely done, Wes! :)

  • Wesley Picotte replied

    Thanks for resisting that temptation, and for the comment!

  • jnisbet

    jnisbet

    Great shot. outstanding work.
    Jim…

  • jnisbet

    jnisbet

    Great shot. outstanding work.
    Jim…

  • Wesley Picotte replied

    Thanks much!!

  • lexiajainz

    lexiajainz

    Splendid find! Did you actually get to go in there? Great work!

  • Wesley Picotte replied

    Thanks. Unfortunately, it’s fenced off. The temptation to explore was huge, but it’s an historic landmark so I figured a photograph was enough.

  • Mark Solomon

    Mark Solomon

    This an amazing shot.
    I love the direction of the clouds, they seem to echo your writing, about this old church.
    Great capture!!!

  • Wesley Picotte replied

    Thanks a lot, Mark, for the comment and taking a look!

  • betha

    betha

    Great old church, great shot, perspective is great as is the black and white

  • Wesley Picotte replied

    Thank you :)

  • Tonye Banks

    Tonye Banks

    this is brilliant…what an amazing shot…I love the angle, the clouds, the building, heck I love the whole package…LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Joanne Bradley

    Joanne Bradley

    Amazing capture! Had ato be in b & w. You got my vote! :-)

  • Wesley Picotte replied

    That is so kind of you—thank you!!

  • Tonye Banks

    Tonye Banks

    Love this one to…It has my Vote

  • Wesley Picotte replied

    Thank you very much for your comment and vote!!!

  • AllshotsImaging

    AllshotsImaging

    Fantastic building and great capture/processing. This one has my vote!

  • Wesley Picotte replied

    Thank you so much—that’s awesome!

  • eltotton

    eltotton

    A wonderful shot. Gorgeous sky to go with it and I love the B&W treatment. Great shot.

  • Wesley Picotte replied

    Thanks eltotton—much appreciated!

  • Marilyn Harris

    Marilyn Harris

    Congratulations on having “Vanquished Flock” chosen as the new Avatar for Dilapidated Buildings!! Love your work!!!

  • Wesley Picotte replied

    Hi blossom—thanks you very much for your kind comment!

  • SueAnne

    SueAnne

    Congrates on the big win… This is a wonderful photo

  • Wesley Picotte replied

    Thank you!

  • Denis Dalby

    Denis Dalby

    A brilliantly atmospheric shot Wesley. Congratulations!

  • Wesley Picotte replied

    Thanks a lot for taking a look and your great comment. Cheers!

  • Ben Pacificar

    Ben Pacificar

    Congratulations on making avatar Wesley!

    ...Ben…

  • Wesley Picotte replied

    Thanks Ben :)

  • EarthGipsy

    EarthGipsy

    Wonderfully moody capture Wesley – congratulations on the Avator, well done and well deserved!

  • Wesley Picotte replied

    HI, and thank you very much for the comment! Much appreciated!

  • Jessica Stephens

    Jessica Stephens

    it’s almost as if the clouds are drifting directly to this very haunting place… I LOVE MY HOME
    so much inspiration

  • Wesley Picotte replied

    Hi there—yes, OR is an incredibly inspiring place :)

  • donna.k. nolan

    donna.k. nolan

    Congratulations--on winning the contest!!!! This is an awesome shot. You were very clever coming up with the title—very good.

  • Wesley Picotte replied

    Thanks Donna, for your great comment!

  • BigD

    BigD

    Stunning Wesley

  • Wesley Picotte replied

    Thanks!

  • loramae

    loramae

    Wonderful treatment…Lonely feel in the looming sky. :)

  • Wesley Picotte replied

    Loramae, thank you for you comment! It is much appreciated!

  • vonnie1989

    vonnie1989

    Wow, what an incredible, powerful, image, perfectly done!

  • Wesley Picotte replied

    Thank you!

  • sonjas

    sonjas

    Great image. Well done.

  • Wesley Picotte replied

    Thanks for taking a look and the time to leave a comment!

  • flarrea

    flarrea

    The composition is great and the treatment to. Well done.

  • BigD

    BigD

    Congratulations you have been featured in Rural Around The Globe. Merry Christmas BigD

  • CarolM

    CarolM

    Very nice. Love that sky and how the clouds just explode behind the steeple. Great perspective.

  • MICKSPIXPHOTOS

    MICKSPIXPHOTOS

    Very spooky, very atmospheric image. Beautiful work. Well done.

  • lefty1

    lefty1

    a masterful work of art. Bravo, my friend!

  • Albert Sellaman

    Albert Sellaman

    Sad to see a church in disuse.

  • judygal

    judygal

    This is a great photo . We would love to have this entry in the latest challenge for the Gold rush and ghost towns old churches in a mining or ghost town.

  • Wesley Picotte replied

    Thanks Judy. I appreciate your comment and the tip, and entered the photo in the content. Best!

  • judygal

    judygal

    Hi, can you please submit this great photo to the goldrush and ghost towns group to be featured as you are in the top 10 for our challenge.

  • Wesley Picotte replied

    Sure thing—thanks!

  • Barbara Applegate

    Barbara Applegate

    Congratulations on Your New Feature in Pacfic Northwest Group 6/30/09

  • Jim Johnson

    Jim Johnson

    Very cool shot! I think I know where that is. Congrats on the feature.

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