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Traveling Man

Well known sculpture in Deep Ellum, Dallas, TX.

Well known sculpture in Deep Ellum, Dallas, TX.
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Canon EOS 5D Mark III

settings

Aperture f/6.3 ISO 1000 Shutter 1/1000 Focal Length 32/1

upload_date

May, 2015

Views

1333

Likes

+189

Awards

Top Shot Award

Featured

Win a Holga 120N Camera

Contest Finalist in 300 Sculptures Photo Contest

People's Choice in Not So Ordinary Photo Challenge

Peer Award

+72

Outstanding Creativity

+25

Superb Composition

+12

Top Choice

Absolute Masterpiece

Superior Skill

All Star

Genius

Top Ranks

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 30 rank

Top 30 rank week 1

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 30 rank

Top 20 rank week 1

Top 30 rank

Top 20 rank week 1

Behind The Lens

Location

This is part of a $1.4 million dollar sculpture series by Brad Oldham, Brandon Oldenburg, and Reel FX Creative Studios. Located near downtown Dallas, it is near Deep Ellum and is recognized as a symbol of a joining of the old and new cultures of the downtown Dallas area and the revitalization of the Deep Ellum area. There are three sculptures and this one is called "Waiting on a Train" as the trains run by him every day.

Time

This was taken in mid-afternoon during a break of rain showers. Texas was deluged this spring with unusual amounts of rain, making it sometimes challenging for the photographer who has a single afternoon to shoot. But this weather also offers great opportunity, like this brooding and fascinating sky, and the reflections cast on the wet sidewalk, not to mention the streaks of rain on the sculpture itself.

Lighting

Photographers are generally happy with overcast skies, and this sky provided not only the perfect light that kept glare from happening on the metal surface of the sculpture, but produced great mood as well.

Equipment

I used a Canon 5D Mark iii with the 24mm-105mm kit lens, hand-held. It was shot at 32mm at f/6.3, no flash.

Inspiration

I have an appreciation for the unusual and unique. I also love shiny things and metal. This guy made me think of the Tin Man playing the guitar--what a fun thought--I wanted to make it a memory!

Editing

I always start my workflow in Lightroom, where I work on contrast, shadows, and highlights while I keep an eye on the histogram. There were some distractions that had to be removed, so I did that in Photoshop. But I left a few sprinkles of gravel under the sculpture, as the texture contrasts nicely with the slick finish of the metal. I also desaturated the grass so that it would not compete with the sculpture--I wanted the entire image to have a metallic feel. Finally, I used curves in photoshop to brighten the sculpture, and I used a lot of feathering on that mask to create more of a sense of "glow" than just hard edges. Final sharpening and a minimal amount of vignette were done in Lightroom.

In my camera bag

Canon 5D Mark iii, a 70mm-200mm f/2.8L IS II lens, a 100mm macro lens, the 24mm-105mm f/4L kit lens, and a 16mm-35mm f/2.8L II. I also carry Kenko extension tubes, a shutter release remote, a blower to clean my sensor, and a small artist brush to clean flowers when I do macro work.

Feedback

The Traveling Man website, with all the information about the sculpture itself, including a map, can be found here: http://www.bradoldham.com/ttm/community.html Just look for the unique and make sure you have your camera with you!

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lensletter

lensletter

Traveling Man

Well known sculpture in Deep Ellum, Dallas, TX.

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow lensletter

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