lifeless keys
lifeless keys
lifeless keys
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Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS
Aperture f/4.0 ISO 1600 Shutter 100/49999 Focal Length 1800/100 
Mar, 2015Views
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Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens
Location
This image was captured in an abandoned farmhouse that was ravaged by fire. The date of the fire is not known. The property was on US Rte. 460 in Bedford County, VA. The house has since been demolished.Time
This house had always been in the back of my mind, since I have driven the route on US 460 several times. Each time I drove by, the house seemed to "call" to me. To have me stop and capture images of before the inevitable happened. So on a late winter day, March 8, 2014, I set out to explore this marvelous, old building. It was early in the morning when I let out. And the steam from my breath could be seen as I got out of my truck in the gravel drive that once led to this wonderful place. Even though the highway was directly in front of the old building, the silence was deafening. For safety reasons, I always take a cursory tour around such buildings. While doing that, I came upon 9 graves in the back of the home. The dates ranged from the early 1800's to the early-mid 1900's. The entire back of the house was gone. Charred members collapsing after the fire and the ravages of time and weather. It was exactly what I had hoped for.Lighting
Whenever I go "hunting" or on rural explorations, I do my best to use the available light as only source. This way I can capture the feeling of that place in time. In this case, the early morning sunlight was coming through a large window just above and to the left of the old piano. The broken panes created an eerie effect on the floor and wall surrounding the piano.Equipment
I am what could be considered a minimalist when it comes to my photography. I carry my camera, in this case my old Canon Rebel SL1 with 18-55mm lens, and that is it. When I go inside these old buildings I can't have too many things catching or hanging up on things that would put myself in danger.Inspiration
Old buildings have always been a love of mine. The old stories they can tell. The thought of events that have happened in them. The highlights, and sometimes the tragedies that occurred in them. I have always taken the old saying, "if walls could talk", to heart. Often trying to "listen" to these old homes and buildings as I explored them.Editing
I always shoot 3 images at different exposures to run them through my Photomatix Pro software. I find that the HDR finished product always gives me exactly what I felt at the time I was taking the images.In my camera bag
Again, I consider myself a minimalist when it comes to gear. I have always felt that the photographer takes the image presented by the subject at that specific time. The camera has little to do with it. I have seen excellent images taken with top of the line gear, and excellent images with old Kodak throw away cameras. So, I usually have my camera, and 2 lens. That's it.Feedback
"Rurex" is not for everyone. If you are easily spooked. Or can't handle the occasional dead animal, or live animal for that matter, then you shouldn't go after these types of shots. Safety is a big concern also. The floors of many of these places are very old and worn. Step softly when exploring these glorious old buildings. One misstep, and you can wind up crashing through to the cellar from the 2nd or 3rd floor.
