"Two rings and a short one"
The phone belonging to my father when he was a boy. He told my daughters that their number used to be two long rings and a short one. My, how times have changed...
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The phone belonging to my father when he was a boy. He told my daughters that their number used to be two long rings and a short one. My, how times have changed.
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Nov, 2015Views
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Awards
Chatter Award
Zenith Award
Creative Winter Award
Curator's Selection
Top Shot Award 21
Legendary Award
Contest Finalist in Textures Around Us Photo Contest
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Contest Finalist in Urban Textures Photo Contest
Peer Award
Superb Composition
Top Choice
Absolute Masterpiece
Outstanding Creativity
All Star
Magnificent Capture
Genius
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photograph was taken in my studio, which is located in a historic Coca Cola bottling plant. It's located in the boiler room of the plant, hence the naming of my studio - Boiler Room Imagewerks. The walls, ceiling, and floor are full of character that is hard to match elsewhere. The phone was the actual phone my father used as a child in a farmhouse in rural Ohio. He told me that their phone number was "two rings and a short". I am a formally trained commercial photographer. I split my time between photography and counseling at risk youth.Time
The walls of the studio create a magical backdrop at any time of the day. This image was taken in the late afternoon hours, as the sun was setting through a side window.Lighting
My philosophy of lighting is very simple. I often relate the story of a vineyard where wine grapes are grown. The soil in vineyards is often rocky with limited watering. It makes the vine struggle, therefore producing beautiful grapes full of flavor. If you saturate the soil too much, you end up with a very dull grape. Hence, my approach to lighting. I want just enough light to fall on the subject to the point of struggle. I want to see the light clinging to the object, but not too much. When you pump in more than needed, you end up with a very dull image, just like the grape.Equipment
This was shot on a Fuji X-T1 and a Fuji XF35mm f/1.4 lens. Lighting was with one Yongnuo 560III off camera fired through a Rogue Flashbender with minor fill cards for some fill on the opposing side.Inspiration
I think that images should tell stories, evoke emotion, and inspire others. My father told me many stories of this phone and his use of it. He would recount how my grandmother would paint the phone every year when she painted the kitchen. The layers of paint are thick and the phone shows heavy signs of use. I wanted to viewer to experience this same feeling in the image. I wanted them to get a sense of the many conversations that were engaged through the phone. The stories of hope, love, and the sound of laughter being transmitted between two people.Editing
I do most of my processing in Lightroom and some in Photoshop. This image had more Lightroom through the use of custom sliders. Nothing has been altered.In my camera bag
I carry my Fuji X-T1 and a selection of Fuji XF lenses. However, my favorite is my Speed Graphic 4x5 view camera with the famous Aero Ektar lens. I also shoot an old rangefinder Canon camera and a Rolleiflex TLR. Yes, I LOVE film!Feedback
It all comes down to the heart. So often you hear of the three pillars of photography (ISO/Aperture/Shutter) and how this is what you need to learn to take pictures. That's true. However, to take truly inspiring images, you need the fourth pillar of the heart. Until you learn to show the world what you feel inside, your images will be lacking. To emulate this image, I would start with one light source on your subject from the side. Enough to create that struggle of the light fighting to fall on your subject and then...stop. Snap your image and add fill lighting from there as needed. Tell others your story :)
