‘An act of resistance’: holdout homes in the US – in pictures

Ben Marcin’s striking photography series captures a collection of isolated dwellings across the United States, ranging from abandoned houses to improvised camps, each serving as a visual testament to lives once lived on the margins of society. The images focus on solitary structures that stand as silent markers of past habitation, highlighting the stark reality faced by those who have been left behind in various American communities.

The photographs reveal how these holdout homes function as both relics and refuges, offering insight into the conditions and resilience of people living on the fringes. By documenting derelict properties alongside makeshift shelters, Marcin underscores the broader socioeconomic forces that push individuals into precarious living situations, illustrating a pattern of neglect and survival that persists across diverse regions.

Through his lens, Marcin not only records the physical decay of these spaces but also prompts reflection on the human stories embedded within them. The visual narrative invites viewers to consider the systemic issues that give rise to such holdouts, while also acknowledging the quiet resistance embodied by those who continue to inhabit these marginal spaces despite adversity.

⚡ Effects Interpreter