Never Again
Oct, 2016Views
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Contest Finalist in Cultures of the World Photo Contest
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ricklecompte
February 13, 2018
More disgusted than anger, the fire within still burns. A heat without flame, a smoldering without smoke. The pipe was not so much for the toe-backie as it was a slow draw on the bitter root he'd been forced to chew. Yes, it was a loss this time BUT..... Never Again..... Thanks Imagico, its one of my favorites too
Platinum
ricklecompte
December 19, 2022
Thanks! It is why we all love the spirit and style of re-enactors . They make us look good :-)
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
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Behind The Lens
Location
This image was captured in the sweltering heat of south Louisiana, befitting the stoic look.Time
I took this image around noon-ish at a civil war reenactment that started at 8am (because of the heat). The small crowds had thinned and went, no doubt, in search of water. This fellow was just standing still in his long sleeved shirt and vest so as to not create any additional heat. He sucked occasionally on his crooked pipe and the scent of wood flavored smoke settle slowly to the groundLighting
The light was softened from the noon day sun by a hundred or or more live oaks, the leaves filtering the harshness into a glow. The result was the barely perceivable shadow across his face from the visor of his hat. Shooting with B&W in mind, and an even tone - tress can be your best friend.Equipment
I shoot Sony, a A7m2 in this case, a native Zeis 24/240 lens that never ever leaves the camera body. It is an extremely versatile set up for every situation from lunar to macro.Inspiration
I heard about the reenactment being held at famous Audubon House. A home where the artist that drew the definitive set of plants, trees and especially birds in the 19th Century, stayed during a months long visit. Never having shot a 'period piece' that I could tone and play with, it furnished the perfect opportunity to load up the car with 2 dogs and my school teacher wife and play together. I will be going back next year!Editing
I shoot RAW/jpeg in my Sony. Shooting RAW gives me the chance to have at my fingertips, everything that the camera has captured through the lens. I get full access to all the lights all the darks, all the colors and everything in between. What I see in my minds eye when I squeeze the shutter trigger... has the best chance that way. I was thinking all day of B&W post work. I use Adobe Bridge to sort and import the images into my computer, Adobe Camera Raw for the first go round at 16 bid depth, then take it into PS for the skill work and changing - in this case - to Black and White. Gamma increase through the 'exposure' layer is a B&W favorite starting place of mine and because this was a civil war look. I toned on layer with sepia and them masked it in where it seemed to belong - in that leathery look of his face.In my camera bag
I travel light. Generally I have my Sony A7Rm2 with a 24/240 lens these days with my A7m2 and kit lens as back-up if doing professional work. I always have a tripod in the car but it rarely comes out. When the tripod does get used, it is a god send! Extra batteries just in case, a polarizing filter hardly ever used, and a camera bag to hold it all. I would rather have the flexibility of going anywhere at anytime for the spontaneous shot, than the technical perfect everyday image.Feedback
Here is my advice to shooters everywhere... GO SOMEPLACE NEW! Try something new!! It does not have to be another state or country or culture. There are undiscovered gems in your backyard with macro, there are funny shaped trees at that park you drive by all the time and never stop, there is that after-hours thrown by someone somewhere. And they all look different in the dawning of the blue hour and the fading of the golden hour. Stay curious, stay involved to stay creative. Play - it becomes addictive. The whole of life is in the verb 'seeing'. Go see something today, tonight, right now for no reason. You will be glad you did.
