Red Barn and Pogonip
December brought extremely cold temperatures, freezing fog and a blanket of frost to the area surrounding Lake Tahoe. Knowing that these extreme conditions can create a special mood for the right composition, I spent three mornings searching within the pogonip for interesting “western” scenes. I had driven past this traditional red barn hundreds of times, but this is the first image I have composed of the structure.
The frosted trees, pogonip and diffused morning light add an air of history to the scene. I especially liked the way the mountain backdrop disappeared into the mist allowing my imagination to wander. The detail of the tree’s soft shadow on the barn is subtle, but intriguing. I much preferred this “softer” feeling image to the bright contrasty, literal scene I observed the previous morning. An iconic western scene became something special when paired with unique and dramatic natural conditions. Using the panoramic format enabled me to eliminate the clearing sky and retain the intimate feel I desired.
Tips: Given the extreme temperatures (about 5 degrees F) I kept my camera pack in the back of my truck as I explored, eliminating issues like fogging that can occur by taking the camera directly out of a heated vehicle. My camera backpack is padded, so the equipment cools slowly as I explore. In these frigid conditions, I always hold my breath when near the lens. Warm moist air that is breathed out will coat the lens and immediately freeze and will take precious time to thaw. Wiping a frost covered lens can create scratches and damage a modern lenses coating. To protect myself, I was using a new pair of fleece gloves that had pile on the inside, but a smooth weave on the outside. They were thin enough to handle the controls on my bellows camera, but still kept my fingers from becoming frost bitten. Finally, watch your exposure in foggy conditions. This type of scene often requires an exposure compensation of +1/2 to +1 full stop. I usually cross reference my spot metering with an ambient reading. If shooting digital, watch the left side of your histogram.
Carson River Fall Detail Panorama
One of my favorite times to create images is during a gentle rain. While most people are hiding inside, I am out searching for images that have been rain soaked and saturated. This saturation, along with overcast skies (softly filtered light) enables us to capture rich colors without the harsh contrast of a directly lit subject. Most often, it is a good idea to exclude the dreary sky from these images and just focus on the details. The vantage I chose, in the middle of the river, brought me closer into my subject, giving a greater feeling of being “within the scene” (a quality my collectors comment on often). I used the moving water as a dynamic lead in line, drawing the eye into the composition, and adding a feeling of motion to an otherwise static scene. I also like the way the white water adds a contrast to the darker tones in the image. I chose to exclude a majority of the sky, as it would have made the scene feel gloomy. However, due to the lack of brightness in the dark grey of the clouds, I was able to keep a bit of sky visible between the trees and retain the full (non-chopped) composition. I also used a warming polarizer to remove a majority of the glare on the wet rocks and foliage. This enabled me to see the rich colors in the scene, as well as extending the required exposure time to accentuate the moving water. In the end, the scene makes me feel good when I view it. Along with all the technical aspects of my work, I always fall back to the emotions I feel (or don’t feel) in a finished composition. That is usually what transforms an image from simply a two dimensional picture into a three dimensional work of art!
Equipment Details: KB Canham 5×7 Metal Field Camera, Caltar II-N (Rodenstock) 90mm lens, Singh-Ray LB Warning Polarizer, Really Right Stuff BH-55 Ball Head, Gitzo 1325 Carbon Fiber Tripod, Fuji Quickload Film Holder, Fuji Velvia 50 4×5 inch Transparency Film, BTZS Dark Cloth, LowePro Super Trekker AW Backpack.
Please Note: I have left a lot of time open in the next several months for private field seminars. I have been receiving many inquiries from aspiring photographers out there and have made the time available. I am looking out at some fresh snow this morning…perfect winter conditions. Call ASAP to schedule your time with me.
