I was at a location where the light varied from
Mostly dim to almost completely dark
Beyond just being able to see what was there
Watch out for that low pipe I just left part of my scalp on!! Not joking. Ouch!!!
Seeing in order to compose and frame
To say nothing of focusing and exposure
Was an interesting challenge
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A Message from Long Ago
circa 1957 – untouched since then
Abandoned (1957) Silk Mill, Lonaconing, MD
Tripod
Lit by flashlight
Not visible in the ambient light
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This note, posted on a bulletin board, was addressed to “Soakers”
The bottom level of the mill had a number of tubs
They were apparently used in a soaking process related to the mill’s production of silk thread
They can be seen here (barrel as well as the dark rectangular tubs at upper left)
Bulletin board was next to this barrel & trash can arrangement
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Making the image -
Without a flashlight – not possible
(I learned this lesson from my first visit in May; I could not even enter this area then – no flashlight & it was nearly pitch black)
Frame/compose by light of flashlight
Focus by light of flashlight
Aperture priority exposure
Did some lit by flashlight
Some lit by on camera flash
This is an example where RAW will save your butt
Don’t even think HDR
HDR (HIGH dynamic range) doesn’t apply – in the least
The tonal range in this scene is NOT WIDE
It’s nearly zero
Here are the three stages – capture, RAW conversion, Color Efex Pro 4
Click to enlarge
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Tags: Art Photography, Photography, Photography Composition, Photography How To, Photography Tips, Photography Tutorial
