Black Mountain, NC
Store window in Black Mountain, NC
2011
Oct, 2014Views
1886
Likes
Awards
Top Shot Award 22
Featured
Contest Finalist in Creative Textures Photo Contest
Peer Award
Superb Composition
Top Choice
Outstanding Creativity
Absolute Masterpiece
All Star
Superior Skill
Magnificent Capture
Emotions
Impressed
Top Ranks
Top 10 rankTop 20 rank week 1
Top 10 rank week 1
Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 1
Categories
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Discover more photos See all
Behind The Lens
Location
This image was captured on East State Street in Black Mountain, NC in May of 2010. I lived in Black Mountain many years ago when my second oldest son was very young. He was born in Asheville and we returned to show him the town that he lived as a young boy. He started kindergarten at Black Mountain Primary School just a block up from where this image was captured.Time
This images was taken about midday in May. I remember the day was quite warm but there were some clouds scattered above.Lighting
I use natural light for most everything, no difference here. I do recall some shadows that were drawing closer and tried to get my captures done before the lighting changed. I wish that I would have stuck around longer to see how the lighting would change the mood but had family with me.Equipment
This was taken from a borrowed Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS ISO 200, f10, 1/200, 55mm, No Flash Normally, I would have had my film camera equipment with me but I did not take it on this trip as it was more a spontaneous trip than a well planned one. Had I had my film camera, this image would not exist as it is today since I use BW film at very low ISO (Pan F+) At best this would have been a low grain image with a much slower exposure which could have resulted in a much different image. I would love to return someday and do exactly that.Inspiration
We were walking along downtown visiting different stores and shops and I noticed this unkept shop that did not appear to be in use anymore. What first drew my attention was the wonderful blue trim contrasting against the whitewash of the building. I walked over and spent the first several minutes admiring the old building and imagining what stories and memories this small building must hold. I did not even intend to photograph anything at first I just had to get a closer look. From a distance, the building definitely expressed its age but it was only after I got closer that I was able to experience the spectacular textures created from layers and layers of both paint and time. Although the entire structure was worthy of capturing, my eye kept being drawn to the window sills since they seems to bear the brunt of aging. I began to take shots of the whole window and some of the door but felt I was still not capturing the true essence of this old place. This corner window image was the one that was able to tell the complete story as best as it could be told.Editing
Not much if anything. I did not use any post-processing programs back then since I did primarily analog stuff and all of my work was done in a darkroom.In my camera bag
I have a Crumpler Karachi Outpost KO-02A Camera backpack and I carry everything in it. Contax G2 with 3 lenses Minolta Maxxum Alpha 9 and 10 or more rolls of film, Maxxum lenses, 50mm 1.4, 50mm 2.8 macro, 85mm 1.7, 16mm fisheye, 28mm 2.8, 70-210 f4 Minolta light meter, ND filters, polarizer filters, some BW filters And sometimes a Sony A99v which has an Alpha mount so all of my Minolta lenses fit naturally.Feedback
Absorb your surroundings and take heed to what you see out of the corner of your eye.
