It was great getting out in the snow last week, and after several attempts to get together with workshop client, Mike, who hipped me to this place, and my new friend, Dan we made it to a huge car junkyard, almost in the middle of nowhere, northeast of Harrisburg. I’ve never shot old cars in the snow, so was stoked to check it out, along with the maiden voyage of the D800E!
I photographed more textures than normal because the rust was very colorful and graphic. The car shot of the old model A was made with a texture from an adjoining car. I shot a fair number of HDR sets and got around to a 360 stitched pan.
Among other things, we’ll tackle HDR and Stitched Pans during our Digital Photography Creativity Seminar in Essington, PA…just outside of Philly!
Here’s a gallery from the day. I look forward to getting back there in summer for some infrared!
Thanks for taking time to visit and we’ll see you online!!
Tony
Sure. 1.5GB is a sample file size. I’m negotiating (read begging) Sue to get a new MacPro!
wow hdr pans with a D800e are gonna make some HUGE files no?!
Hi Cliff, thanks for checking out the webinar! In terms of infrared, I prefer a converted camera because of the creative options with the Super Color conversion, but using the Singh Ray IR filter cuts down on one camera when things are tight.
Thx very much, Tom! Pretty fertile location, for sure!
You’ve got some wonderful captures here. My favorite is the DSC0476_HDR, but enjoyed them all.
Hi Tony
Wanted to let you know I enjoyed your Topaz webinar yesterday. Hope to see you do more of them! Your infrared photo reminded me I wanted to ask if you have had time to play with the Singh Ray filter yet and if so, do you have a preference filter or converted camera?
Thanks
Cliff
Thanks much, Michael! I agree that it’s really tremendous and a great learning experience seeing what others get from the same location.
Tony:
These came out great! It was a lot of fun shooting these old cars with you, and we certainly got lucky with the weather. The fisheye creates a really interesting perspective and seems to work very well with this subject matter. I worked on some of the photos from that day too, and my shots seem to have a bit of a different look and feel from yours (https://picasaweb.google.com/113216626418484514907/OldCarz).
I love how people can be looking at the same thing at the same time and yet have such different final results!
Look forward to seeing you again,
Michael
Tony,
Thanks; makes complete sense and I had not noticed that the V was at a 1/3 point – darn, some rules may actually work.
Roger and Josh! Great thanks for the comment on this particular image, which really didn’t seem like that big of a deal. I’m not sure that I can quantify why an image works or not. Generally, my approach is not unlike playing music, where I tend to surrender as much conscious thought as possible to get into the moment and simply react to the situation. After a career or three of violating whatever rules apply to whatever discipline I’m pursuing, after learning them “cold,” by the way, I tend to react viscerally to a scene. To me, these days, it’s quite simple. If it feels right, it is right. Now, that certainly circumvents considering specific elements in a composition. However, in this case, what caught my attention first was the strong graphic created by the open door and the huge “V” shape created at the 1/3 from the right side of the frame, knowing that the 14mm would dramatically increase the visual impact of the scene (which is what wide angles are supposed to do). The strong symmetrical spiral of the broken window was also an attention grabber. I also find open car doors a compelling element when photographing old cars. So, in order of significance: The open door with the cracked window pulled me to the subject, then all that was left was to compose the image in a dynamic , non symmetrical fashion. And, of course, getting very close to the subject increases wide angle drama. I hope that this makes sense.
Tony,
Usually when I look at a collection of your shots I rarely have a favorite, I like lots of desserts. However, this go around, like Josh, #0415, is THE show stopper for me. And, I can’t figure out exactly why. It has two points of focus, not one or three (through the cab and the perfectly broken window); no “rule” of thirds (I hate rules); lots going on (i.e., not “simple”), etc., etc. In short, on the surface it seems to violate many compositional concepts I have learned from you and others. Do you mind telling us why you think it is very special, if you think that, and why it works so strongly.
Hey Betty (Babs!!), Thanks! We had a great day, for sure. But, YOU guys…..are in for one helluva a storm. I look forward to seeing a bunch of great shots from the Cape when the gale force winds subside!
What a great find! Must have been such a great day of shooting – wonderful!
Hi Tony
I love your work, such beautiful colors
I still use my D2x at the moment, one day i will get the D4 (wife permitting lol)
Regards to all.
Paul (Newcastle, England)
Thx much, Roger. Pretty cool place!
It’s not built like a pro camera, but the files are beautiful. Waiting for the D4X.
Funny… when I was up at the Mt. Washington Hotel last Fall, carrying my D800, some guy saw me and smirked “Amateur camera!” under his breath to his friends there.
We were lucky with weather, Roger, and the limitless material didn’t hurt!
Thx a lot, Josh!
Great images! DSC0415_HDR my favorite—visual impact!
While you would produce wonderful shots of this subject anytime of the year, the snow is, literally, icing on the cake. Superb.
Hi Tony,
Superb work! Amazing hunting ground for a photographer! Living in the capital area would love to visit this place. Could you tell me where is this cool car junkyard?
Happy shooting,
Robert