20150209.01-D7000-South-Hope-IN-5x7 copy
Mar, 2017Views
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photograph was taken south of Hope Indiana. It is heavily farmland in my area. I was just starting to seriously use digital cameras at the time.Time
This photo was taken around early to mid-morning on Feb 9th, 2015. It was a dull, overcast winter day, and I was just looking for something to happen when I came over this hill, and the starkness of this tree hit me in the face.Lighting
As I said, it was an overcast winter day, and the lighting was very flat. I usually look for something dramatic as a b&w photographer, or something that tells a story, so the loneliness of this image caught me by surprise! In this case, I believe that the flat, diffuse lighting is what gave the mood for this tree.Equipment
In this image, I had a Nikon D7000 with a kit lens on. I can't remember which one, but from looking at the image, I would guess it was the 55-200 f/4 - 5.6. I have always been impressed with Nikon glass, but I am not a fanboy. I would rather just use the right equipment for the job. Truth be told though, I actually wore that camera out! Today, the autofocus no longer works on it, and I focus everything manually, but it is still banging out good images, so I still use it fairly regularly.Inspiration
I must admit, I HATE being cold. If I could, I would live in Florida year round! But, my family is in Indiana; so I am in Indiana too. On this day, I was starting to get stir crazy from being inside all winter, so I had to get outside. I was actually scouting out another possible shot for later in the spring. The winter blahs gripped me firmly, and when I saw the bleakness of this scene, it spoke to me. I stopped in the middle of the road, set up a tripod, and made the shot. You can do that sort of thing when you live in the country. :-)Editing
My photography experience is strongly rooted in film photography, so I usually don't shoot a lot of images, and I try to get as much right in camera as possible. I have a lot of friends who have a completely different experience, and that is ok too. It works for them, and you simply can't argue with their success. I have never been one to say one way is better than the other, that should be up to each photographer. So, while I do as much as I can in camera, I still do some work in Lightroom, and Photoshop. These days, I am also using Affinity Photo too, and I am impressed. My workflow is fairly straight forward. I will open an image, adjust the curves set the contrast, and clean up any noise. I might take it into Silver Efex Pro II, or I may make it into a b&w image in Adobe. Just a little sharpening, and that's about it!In my camera bag
Well, these days, my bag is usually filled with an Intrepid 4x5 Mk4, a Schneider 150mm lens, and a Nikon 210mm lens (equivalent to a 50, and 75mm lens in 35mm) A hand held Pentax digital spot meter, and all of the film holders, dark cloths, and other things that go along with shooting sheet film. On a light day, I will either grab a Mamiya 645 Pro, with an 80, and a 150mm lens (same equivalencies as 4x5 roughly). Or, a Yashica Mat 124G. It shoots 6x6 negs, and has an 80mm lens (equivalent to a 50mm lens in 35mm) on it. Last, but not least, I shoot a lot with my iPhone XR, and process in Snapseed! I love it... As for film, I use Ilford HP5+, and Fomapan 100 in 4x5, and I use T Max 100, and HP5+ in 120. Various different developers, but mostly either Rodinal, Ilford DD-x, or Cafinol developer. If I shoot color, I will either use Kodak Ektar 100 for the color punch, or Portra 400 for great skin tones. Side note... I will usually shoot my color work in digital with either the Nikon, or a Fuji X Pro1 though.Feedback
Because my style of photography is slow, and deliberate, I try to look with an empty mind. When I go out with preconceived expectations, I usually come home empty handed. Once I see the composition, I try to visualize how the end image will look. For me, that may be a print on the wall, or it may be an image shared on social media. Once you have a strong idea of what you want, then you can work from there to achieve your image. Finally... leave room for happy mistakes, and accidents. You may be trying to take a picture of that tree, but when those pesky deer walk into your scene.... well there you go! Most of all, enjoy the experience.
