On July 2, 2002, Jean and Harlow Cagwin watched as their home — the last remnant of their 118-acre cattle farm in Lockport, Illinois — was torn down clearing the way for a new housing development. Several years later, Ed and Amanda Grabenhofer and their four children moved into the new Willow Walk subdivision, their house just yards from where the Cagwin's home once stood.
Common Ground introduces us to the lives touched by this land, as photographer Scott Strazzante takes us on a visual journey exploring the differences and similarities of these two families while simultaneously asking us to look at what is common among us all.
After living on a farm in Lockport, Illinois, for 73 years, Harlow Cagwin sold his family land to a subdivision developer. Common Ground takes us on a journey exploring the differences and similarities of life in suburbia and life on the family farm.
Note: Not all comments will be posted due to space and time constraints.
Adam Lau -- San Francisco, CA, USA
Aug 4, 2008 at 4:38 AM
Beautiful, killer work. But wait... what happens at the end when the two families meet? Ending where it does, the piece feels incomplete, imho. If we don't find out what happens in the interaction between "old" and "new"... I almost feel it would have been better to close earlier, or in a different way. Maybe no pictures happened there. But it might have been nice to state, even in text, "The two families met, nothing happened, and they went on about their lives..." (or something to that effect). For a more weighty conclusion? Unless we're to expect a Part 2? No objections here.
Alexander von Spreti -- Munich, Bavaria, Germany
Aug 2, 2008 at 7:10 AM
Congratulation to the great piece of journalism work. Its well seen, really touching and impressive realized. Chapeau, Scott
Simon Christen -- Berkeley, CA, USA
Aug 1, 2008 at 4:55 PM
Very beautiful story with wonderful pictures. I really like the split screen before/after photo comparison. It's amazing to see how similar, yet so different it is. Thank you.
Marcy Nighswander -- Athens, Ohio USA
Jul 31, 2008 at 4:08 PM
Scott's project has evolved and expanded over the years. Parts of it have been published in the Chicago Tribune, the National Geographic Society magazine and now MediaStorm. This is an excellent example of great photographs, great editors and producers at mediastorm.org working together to produce a very compelling story.
Stephen Haas -- Monticello, IL USA
Jul 30, 2008 at 8:10 PM
Fascinating work as always... The photos that Scott has published were great, but the audio and video help tie the whole project together.
Kevin Weinstein -- Chicago, IL
Jul 30, 2008 at 5:54 PM
I have seen thjis piece many times, in different formats. While I am diggiing audio interviews, the format has one huge limitation. The size of the pictures are way too small. One aspect of this piece that struck me the most, were the images when placed face to face -- old and new -- side by side. it is errie and terrifying to see how these people, from different ages, economic backgrounds and ways of choosing to live out their lives, are truly identical. Those images, placed face to face, were so small, you can't see what is happening in each picture. And that is the point. Each of those sets is an echo of time and place mixed with joy and sadness. I would not have felt that if I had not seen this piece elsewhere before.
Mikko Takkunen -- Swansea, Wales, UK
Jul 30, 2008 at 12:50 PM
great story. thanks for sharing.
Juston Teach -- Carbondale, Illinois USA
Jul 30, 2008 at 12:04 PM
Kudos Scott! This is a wonderful piece you have done. It is this attention to detail, as well as your ability to get close to the subjects that makes me want to become a better photojournalist. Truly inspiring
Anjali Pinto -- Columbia, MO, USA
Jul 30, 2008 at 2:21 AM
This piece is so inspiring. The photographer's dedication to his subjects is remarkable and made such a profound impact on me. His ability to view in pairs made the message so much stronger. Bravo!
Michael Nix -- Chicago, IL
Jul 30, 2008 at 1:33 AM
Beautifully shot and written, but it seems a little lacking in true meaning... Why did the Cagwins have to sell their farm and what does the "Wal Mart dependent" family do? Other than extremely similar photography, I see very little common ground. I suppose that's the journalist hook. One one final note, I also find it highly amusing, ironic, yet sad that the Google ads you have in your sidebar include one titled "Illinois Land: Search Our Free Listings of Land for Sale by Price, Size, and Location."
Jessica Dimmock -- Brooklyn, NY USA
Jul 29, 2008 at 5:26 PM
Great piece. I really love this work, it was so nice to see it in this full form.
Mykal McEldowney -- Greenville, SC, USA
Jul 29, 2008 at 5:01 PM
BEAUTIFUL. I remember seeing this probject before it was completed when Scott came to Ohio University. It is amazing to see it now. You all did a wonderful job.
Claire Fortier -- South Lake Tahoe, CA
Jul 29, 2008 at 4:42 PM
Riveting. A superb piece of photography and journalism.
