ryoungerca

Abstract. Garage Wall. Pittsburgh.

This was an old, abandoned auto-truck repair garage.

This was an old, abandoned auto-truck repair garage.
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Jul, 2018

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Same photographer See all Behind The Lens

It was a cloudy, cold day. Winter. The photograph is a scan of the print made from 8x10 negative.

On a trip this (2022) Spring I took the opportunity to travel through Death Valley. I made this on my way as I was headed through Panamint Valley.

Crutch in Trash at Ballfield. Redwood City. California

I frequently walk through a county park next door to our home named Oak Oasis in San Diego County, California. I have looked at these oaks countless t

Behind The Lens

Location

This was made in a small Pennsylvania town in an abandoned mechanics garage and station.

Time

The garage was indoors, so the time of day was mostly irrelevant; but, it was daytime.

Lighting

It was quite dark in the garage. The walls were all blackened either with soot or from a fire. The floor was black cinder and old asphalt. I had to use a small flashlight in order to compose and focus.

Equipment

This was made with an Ebony 8x10 view camera on Ilford HP5 film. I used a red filter to separate the tones. Between the filter, the bellows factor, and reciprocity of the film, the exposure was approximately 30 minutes. The long exposure provided for some increased separation and contrast as well. I developed the film in Pyrocat HD. The print was made on Ilford Multigrade Fiber paper.

Inspiration

I like abstracts, often things that appear to be something they're not. The wall from which this is made was covered in patterns and I was particularly attracted by a couple of them. This image is from an area of maybe 2x3 feet. There were probably many more that would reach out to me; but after being there several hours to sun was setting and it was time to leave.

Editing

I develop and print in a darkroom. The original scene had a contrast range of 2-3 zones; so I developed the film to expand that substantially. I printed it on multigrade paper and ended up with the highest contrast filtration in order to match my visualization of the image when I made it.

In my camera bag

Camera (8x10); 3-4 lenses depending on where I am (i.e., different for architecture and landscapes). Filters. Lens shades. Depending on how far I'm traveling from my vehicle I'll have 3-5 film holders with me (2 sheets of film in each holder). Cable releases. A viewing frame. Tripod. And water.

Feedback

I've found my most satisfying photographs are those made when the subject reached out to me. I call it contemplative photography. This is one of those. To facilitate "seeing" I use a viewing frame to look at subjects before getting the camera out. Many times I've thought to photograph something only to find that in flattening it no longer was a good thing to photograph. The viewing frame helps immensely and saves me getting out and setting up the camera; only to take it down again without having made the photograph. I'm sure "live view" on digital cameras can provide that same subject-photographer interaction.

See more amazing photos, follow ryoungerca

ryoungerca

ryoungerca

Abstract. Garage Wall. Pittsburgh.

This was an old, abandoned auto-truck repair garage.

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow ryoungerca

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