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These images are from my trip down to Alabama a few weeks back. While exploring the countryside I came upon this old log building that has become a piece of Americana. The owner of the property is obviously into collecting old signs and old gas pumps. The sky was full of clouds that were remnants of a thunderstorm that went through the night before while off to the east the sun was breaking through and illuminating the cabin and the surrounding area. In the distance the sky and horizon were still dark and foreboding. The light was bright enough that I was able to handhold the shots and that allowed me to move quickly around the scene.
I processed this image using NIK HDR Efex Pro 2 for the merging of my three frame bracket set. My bracket set was -2, 0 and +2 EV. After I tone mapped the image I made some adjustments to vibrance and contrast in Aperture 3 and then I took the image into OnOne Perfect Effects 4 where I applied a vignette using the Big Softy preset.
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This is another image from the same shoot. I loved the way the sun was lighting the buildings and the field around them while in the distance the horizon and sky were still dark. I followed the same basic procedure for processing this image as I did in the one above but I spent a little more time in OnOne Perfect Photo 7 playing around with Perfect Effects where I once again added the vignette using Big Softy preset as well as experimenting with some of the other adjustments that Perfect Effects has available.
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In this image the sun went behind some clouds and it really softened the light. I shot a handheld three frame bracket at -2, 0 and +2 EV and merged them in NIK HDR Efex Pro 2 before taking the merged image back into Aperture 3 for final processing. The change in the quality of the light creates an entirely different feel to the scene and I didn’t feel that Perfect Effects 4 would be of any benefit on this image so I finished it with Aperture 3.
Great photos! Worthy of framing!
Thank you for the kind words Victoria.
What more can I say, Nick? MAGNIFICENT. There are times when pushing HDR’s grunge look is perfect. You nailed it on this one. Best, Lauren
Thank you for the kind words Lauren. I agree with you there is no “one size fits all” when it comes to using HDR software and processes. It has to be tempered with the intent of the image, IE: what is the story you want to tell?
This is what I hope to convey in my workshop next weekend. Think about what you what story you want to tell and process accordingly.
I’ve got to start doing better proofreading in my replies. 😉 I was trying to say:
“Think about what story you want to tell and process accordingly”
That first photo is a poster waiting to happen. It’s absolutely charming – rugged with vintage flair. Definitely Americana art.
Thanks LBT maybe I should print some posters and see what happens.
I’ll be your first customer. Send me a link when it’s ready. 😀
I really love this picture! It is an era long lost. Thank for sharing!
Thank you Nancy, I’ve had a few people suggest making it into a poster; maybe I should give it a shot.
Nick,
Simply fabulous!
A superb demonstration of combining subject, elements, tools and talent to produce a spectacular image. Indeed you should print a poster or two…
Thanks Phyllis I’m very flattered by your kind comment.
Me again!
I just showed this photo to my husband. He thought it was a painting! I explained how talented you are with your camera! I would love to have this on my wall! It really is great!
Are you interested in purchasing a print?
Truly magnificant pictures, my friend!
Thank you Larry and Thank you too for commenting here on the blog. I’m honored that you’ve taken the time to do so.
Nick, you know I’ve followed your photography regularly but I must say, this set of images is my absolute favorite of everything I’ve seen of yours. That’s because of the subject matter — old buildings that speak eloquently in their own way of the history of a place. The REAL history, real people, not just mansions and estates. (Do you know that for all my trips to Newport, RI, I’ve never once been inside one of those fancy mansions? Except for Ochre Court, which houses Salve Regina University, where I was attending a conference for my employer.) I take it you must have visited Cades Cove at some point in your life? Would love to see your images. It’s the one place I’ve ever been to in the GSMNP and wish I had had more time. If you expand on this theme you must publish a book of the images, really, Nick.
Thanks so much for the kind words Nancy. You’ll probably find it hard to believe but I haven’t been to Cades Cove in almost 40 years. I sort of lost interest in the Smoky Mountains National Park when it became so over run with people. I have explored over the mountains in Maggie Valley, North Carolina and it has some of the flavor of the old days but it too is developing pretty heavily.
While I was in Pine Mountain, here in Kentucky, a couple of months ago I heard about some sites in Cumberland Gap NP that have a similar theme to Cades Cove. I intend to go back down there this spring when the weather breaks and I can ride my motorcycle more to explore that area.
Many people are commenting on these images on Facebook and LinkedIn too. They have certainly struck a chord and I’m very pleased to hear that they evoke such strong feelings. The funny thing about the building in these photos is that it is a collection of things placed there by a collector as opposed to being an abandoned business. The log cabin may have been there for years but the signs, drink coolers and gas pumps were brought there from somewhere else. That doesn’t bother me though because I was most attracted by the textures and colors of the things that have been collected. Whoever put it together was clearly trying to create a nostalgic tableau of a time gone by which, judging by folks responses to the photos, has been accomplished.
As with so many things in photography I was fortunate that the light and the weather provided me with such a rich scene. I can’t imagine how, had I arrived there on a clear day, there would have been anything as evokative in the resulting images. As we photographers are acutely aware there is no substitute for a moment of serendipity and good light. Then again I was there in Alabama that day to say goodbye to my favorite aunt and she may have directed me to the scene as a gift from the afterlife. 🙂
This particular shot or series of shots I believe is HDR at it’s best. We all sometimes tend to overuse the technique, but this one stands out. The subject matter is incredible to start with. I’d like to see it in B & W also. Great job. Nice composition.
Thanks Al I appreciate hearing from someone of your stature regarding my work. I agree that HDR can be taken to surreal areas but what I’m trying to accomplish is a more refined approach. There are times when I go for the surreal look but those are for impact and certainly not for everything. Thanks for commenting too.