Old Farmhouse

After a wild winter storm in Burra, South Australia, the sky finally cleared for a brief moment. The late afternoon sun broke through, casting a warm golden glow over the hills and lighting up the Old Farmhouse. It was one of those perfect moments where everything just came together—the dramatic clouds, the rolling green and gold hills, and the rustic house standing alone in the open field.

This farmhouse has seen better days, with its rusted roof and weathered stone walls, but there’s something about it that draws you in. It’s isolated, abandoned, yet full of character. The windows, dark and empty, seem to stare out at the landscape, holding onto stories of the past. For a few minutes, with the sun hitting just right, it felt like the house came back to life.

The rain had turned the dirt road into thick mud, making every step an effort. My tripod and boots took a beating, and I had to stop before reaching the fence line, respecting the property’s boundaries. But from where I stood, it was enough—the scene unfolded perfectly in front of me, and I captured it before the clouds rolled back in.

The Story Behind the lens

This isn’t just any old farmhouse. It’s famous for appearing on the cover of Midnight Oil’s 1987 album Diesel and Dust. That album, and this house, have become part of Australian music history. Fans and photographers visit just to see it in person, drawn by its connection to the past and the striking way it sits in the landscape.

For me, this shoot was all about timing and persistence. The weather wasn’t exactly cooperating, and the muddy conditions made it tough, but when the sun finally broke through, it was worth every struggle. Capturing places like this is special—it’s where history, nature, and light all come together for just a moment before fading away again. And in that moment, the house wasn’t just an old building. It was part of something bigger, telling its story through the light and shadows. 

1/500 s / f/5.6 / ISO 400