One Barn - Three Renderings (Comments Welcome)
Sep 23, 2019 22:09:24 #
This barn attracted my eye for several reasons. It's in the early stages of decay but still in use. It looks like it was originally for livestock, but now the farm is cherry orchards. The barn seems to be used for storage with some old farm equipment in the open storage area under the one wing.
#1
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#2 Barns are often good in B&W. In the post last week on B&W many guidelines for were given. One being that color often comes through in unattractive mid-tones. The bottom portion became that boring mid-gray, so I cropped it out.
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#3 One of the things that attracted me was the weathered red paint. Olympus cameras have Art Modes, one being B&W + 1 Color. I rather like it, but wondered what others thought.
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Sep 23, 2019 22:15:24 #
Sep 23, 2019 22:15:46 #
John from gpwmi wrote:
This barn attracted my eye for several reasons. It's in the early stages of decay but still in use. It looks like it was originally for livestock, but now the farm is cherry orchards. The barn seems to be used for storage with some old farm equipment in the open storage area under the one wing.
John, The last image is outstanding in your selection of Camera mode and one color.One of the things that attracted me was the weathered red paint.
Sep 23, 2019 22:57:38 #
All old barns should be presented in B&W 
. I might play around a little with brightness and contrast just to see what happens.
. I might play around a little with brightness and contrast just to see what happens. Sep 23, 2019 23:07:47 #
WAstinkbug
Loc: Silverdale, WA, U.S.A.
John from gpwmi wrote:
This barn attracted my eye for several reasons. It's in the early stages of decay but still in use. It looks like it was originally for livestock, but now the farm is cherry orchards. The barn seems to be used for storage with some old farm equipment in the open storage area under the one wing.
I love old barns and we have one that is finally being torn down. :-( It looked much like this building when we moved here... old but still reasonably sound for use. That was over 40 years ago.
I actually loved that third one the best and surprised myself. I usually prefer color. I love the feel of how subdued it is but still featuring the red color of the building... without so much competition from the green grass. Thank you for sharing them.
Sep 23, 2019 23:49:52 #
Normally I prefer color to any variant of B&W. However, your #3 sings to me so much better than #1&2. It’s outstanding.
Ron
Ron
Sep 24, 2019 00:07:04 #
Yep, #3 is the best rendition of this particular image. The barn really makes a show in that one.
will
will
Sep 24, 2019 00:17:07 #
John from gpwmi wrote:
This barn attracted my eye for several reasons. It's in the early stages of decay but still in use. It looks like it was originally for livestock, but now the farm is cherry orchards. The barn seems to be used for storage with some old farm equipment in the open storage area under the one wing.
Barns on basements were not used for livestock, unless livestock includes chickens. Barns housing livestock sat on the ground, weight may have been a factor.
Sep 24, 2019 00:52:21 #
John from gpwmi wrote:
This barn attracted my eye for several reasons. It's in the early stages of decay but still in use. It looks like it was originally for livestock, but now the farm is cherry orchards. The barn seems to be used for storage with some old farm equipment in the open storage area under the one wing.
I think Barn #3 is perfect for the subject matter. However, somehow, the details of Barn #3's roof got a bit blown out as compared to the other two. I'm all for doing whatever it takes to "save" a photograph. Now the roof in #1 is practically "B&W + 1 color," so I did a composite with Roof #1 on Barn #3, and now it's even more perfect IMHO. Wanna see?
Sep 24, 2019 02:33:09 #
My preference is for #1. However, I would have cropped out the foreground as you did in one of your others.
The problem with your B&W is the tones are so similar. B&W needs some part of the image to stand out and because of the lack of difference here, nothing stands out. Work arounds could have included shooting at different times of the day to get different light angles and times of the year for snow, colored leaves, etc. BUT, that is a lot of personal taste and you go with what ya got at that moment.
If allowed I would try to get some closeups. Old weathered wood texture can be very interesting, especially with the faded paint and the field stone foundation can be nice, both in B&W as well as color.
Old barns and sheds can be very interesting and are a favorite of mine. I ask permission if I can get close to shoot them, taking pains to point out that I am an amateur and it is for my own satisfaction. While I do get turned down occasionally, usually I get permission.
A last suggestion would have been to use a polarizer filter. That would have given the colors a deeper feel that post editing can't do. The shot was done around noon, when the sun is harshest.
I thank you for sharing and a reminder that my opinion and $1.19 gets you a 20oz coffee at the Family Express gas station.
The problem with your B&W is the tones are so similar. B&W needs some part of the image to stand out and because of the lack of difference here, nothing stands out. Work arounds could have included shooting at different times of the day to get different light angles and times of the year for snow, colored leaves, etc. BUT, that is a lot of personal taste and you go with what ya got at that moment.
If allowed I would try to get some closeups. Old weathered wood texture can be very interesting, especially with the faded paint and the field stone foundation can be nice, both in B&W as well as color.
Old barns and sheds can be very interesting and are a favorite of mine. I ask permission if I can get close to shoot them, taking pains to point out that I am an amateur and it is for my own satisfaction. While I do get turned down occasionally, usually I get permission.
A last suggestion would have been to use a polarizer filter. That would have given the colors a deeper feel that post editing can't do. The shot was done around noon, when the sun is harshest.
I thank you for sharing and a reminder that my opinion and $1.19 gets you a 20oz coffee at the Family Express gas station.
Sep 24, 2019 03:35:34 #
Sep 24, 2019 05:38:11 #
i am just an amateur photographer. I liked all three. What struck me was how much the barn looked like our family barn. When I saw you are in a Michigan I had to comment. Our farm was in Michigan. Our barn also had a basement and it was our milking parlor with stanchions. After we moved in 68, I doubt the barn was used again. The last time I was there it looked a lot like your picture. Sad very sad to see such structures fading away. Thanks for the memories.
Sep 24, 2019 05:52:58 #
John from gpwmi wrote:
This barn attracted my eye for several reasons. It's in the early stages of decay but still in use. It looks like it was originally for livestock, but now the farm is cherry orchards. The barn seems to be used for storage with some old farm equipment in the open storage area under the one wing.
Like all 3 well done.
Sep 24, 2019 07:01:43 #
John from gpwmi wrote:
This barn attracted my eye for several reasons. It's in the early stages of decay but still in use. It looks like it was originally for livestock, but now the farm is cherry orchards. The barn seems to be used for storage with some old farm equipment in the open storage area under the one wing.
All three have their distinct pluses. Hence equally descriptive, I think that many folks overlook the spectrum from definitive to impressionistic. The first one is definitive as the next two are impressionistic (i.e., the draw for the demand for all old barns to be B&W). For me, the third one makes the statement of the barn (in the Now).
Well done, all three.
Sep 24, 2019 07:04:26 #
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