Toll Booth Ford
Aperture f/2.8 ISO 320 Shutter 1/640 Focal Length 240/10 
Sep, 2020Views
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Contest Finalist in My Favorite Colors Photo Contest
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Behind The Lens
Location
I pulled into one of my favorite antique shops in Columbia PA called Toll Booth. This 1955 Ford pickup did not have to beg me to capture some images.Time
I shot this image mid morning.Lighting
It was overcast that morning, so the light was nice and soft.Equipment
This was shot using my Nikon D850 with a Sigma 24-70 at 24mm.Inspiration
I am always inspired by objects that show wear and patina. I personally find objects with weathered, time worn, textured surfaces such as this 1955 Ford pickup truck tell a unique visual story. After shooting this image it took me another month to be inspired in post-processing. I struggled and put it aside for another day. I almost never did anything with it, but settled to work on this image and the second wave of inspiration followed in the editing process.Editing
For this particular image I used several textures to add depth and compliment the existing patina on the truck. I use several editing tools in post-processing. I import my RAW files to Lightroom and make a few adjustments. After that I am in Topaz Studio where I spend the most time post-processing. I end up with some finishing touches in Photoshop. Most of my life I spent in the darkroom printing for professional photographers. Often you would here professional photographers say a lab can make or break the photographer. That still stands true in today’s digital environment, most photographers now post-processed their own images. I see so many nice images photographers have posted only to end up being a ho-hum, spiritless image due to poor post-processing or even over processing. When I worked with negatives in the wet lab, I would have a final print sitting in my work area that I felt was a winner, the next day I would come in and say to myself "What was I thinking"! It is the same with digital post-processing, sometimes walking away and leaving it for another day can be your best decision.In my camera bag
I use a Nikon D850 with a variety of modern lenses as well as vintage film camera lenses with adapters to fit Nikon and Sony E-mount. I recently had my Nikon D700 converted to infrared. I enjoy using vintage c mount lenses designed for 16mm cine camera on my Sony A7R. The lenses I use with my Sony are Kinoptik 9mm, 32mm, 40mm and 75mm. I also use Wollensak, Schneider and Angenuiex lenses. I also enjoy free-lensing also called lens-whacking with a Helios 44m, some Russian lenses and any other vintage lenses that will produce nice flares and pleasing bokeh.Feedback
Personally, I have to take a deep breath and slow down. I’ve struggled with mental focus my entire life, so even at 59 years old I have to really concentrate on slowing down as well as not getting discouraged while shooting. I still think of the acronym FAST - Focus, Aperture, Shutter and Think. I enjoy exploring several different camera points of views to find something that may tell an interesting visual story. Post-process is as important as the capture, invest in creative editing software then learn your software. There are many free tutorials out there that can teach you and give you the edge you have been looking for in your images.
