Blacksmith
Photographed at Old Cowtown in Wichita, KS
Photographed at Old Cowtown in Wichita, KS
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Feb, 2015Views
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MotherNature
July 31, 2015
Wow! This is superbly done! Is it HDR? The "grunginess" just goes so well with the theme and really makes this shot pop!
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Behind The Lens
Location
The photo was taken at Old Cowtown. Old Cowtown Museum is a history museum located in Wichita, Kansas, United States along the Arkansas River. The museum sits on 23 acres and consists of 60+ historic and recreated buildings, including a period farm and out-buildings. Here is a link if you would like to learn more about the museum: http://www.oldcowtown.orgTime
The photo was taken mid afternoon on February 21, 2015.Lighting
The day was overcast and the interior of the building was lit only by the light coming through the open shop doors and two windows with no other interior light other then the fire in the blacksmith's fireplace for heating the metal to be forged.Equipment
I was shooting with a Canon 40D that had recently bought from a friend and was still learning my way around the controls.Inspiration
I have seen photos over the years depicting a blacksmith standing near the fire as he struck his hammer onto the iron that had a Norman Rockwell feel to it and that was something I had been wanting to achieve for many years. I had been at this livery stable other times in the past and was hoping to finally get that shot I have been striving for and that day arrived.Editing
After uploading the photo into Canon's Camera RAW Imaging software I made some adjustment with the fill light slider to bring some light into the image for more detail and camera lens correction before loading it into Adobe Photoshop CS5. I then used my Topaz Labs Adjust 5 plugin and selected the Spicify preset and Topaz Labs and then selected another Topaz plugin called Clarity preset to bring out more detail and the rich tones of the wood and tools. In regard to the image, - I liked the warmth and the energy that it brings to the viewer. - I like how it pulls you in to the story that is taking place. - I like how the glow of the fire lights up the room and it's like you can feel the heart and hear hammer striking the iron.In my camera bag
I would normally my Canon 40D, 18 - 55 mm lens, 28-135 mm lens, 55-300 mm lens, two spare batteries, a cloth for cleaning the lens, a plastic bags in case it starts to rain and a polarizer filter. I generally always have a monopod handy and if it is a scheduled shoot then I would take my tripod.Feedback
Don't be afraid to step away from the auto mode and try using other modes on your camera such as AP, P, SP and manual. The only way you can learn how to use these modes is by using them. Youtube is a great place for awesome tutorials covering various cameras on how to operate them and bag full of tips and tricks to being a better photographer. If you have time take shots from various points of view and at higher and lower heights. I use to always wait until there were no people in the photo but I have since learn that people can give life and action to the photo. Always keep your camera handy, you don't want to be like the fishermen that talks about the one that got away. Happy Shooting -- Jack
