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Painting with light

PostPosted: Sat Jun 09, 2007 7:33 pm
by stubbsy
My triptych entry (the old dairy) was my first attempt at painting with light (specifically I used a Maglite torch). What I found interesting is just how big an impact the type of torch had on the shot. With the maglite the buildings I painted had a noticeable orange cast. If I used an led I got a blue cast instead. Obvious in hind sight, but not something I'd have thought of.

Anyway I have a friend who lives near me in Newcastle on his family's old dairy farm. It's recently been sold and is to be razed in a fortnight and turned into suburbia. I'd always been meaning to take some shots of the dilapidated old buildings on the farm so the challenge theme and the impending demolition prodded me into action. Here are some other shots from the session. More can be found HERE.

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This one is of the hay barn

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PostPosted: Sat Jun 09, 2007 8:11 pm
by macka
Peter,

You've outdone yourself with this series. I loved your triptych, and these are stunning. The light is just gorgeous. Almost too hard to pick a favourite, but probably #1 for the subtle moonlight feel and great sky. Also love #4. POTW!

PostPosted: Sat Jun 09, 2007 8:11 pm
by rooboy
Simply fantastic work Stubbsy :D. Some of your best I think. Stunning colour, I can only imagine how good these will look printed large :)

If I was picking POTW I would have difficulty splitting #1, 3 & 4. Great work.

PostPosted: Sat Jun 09, 2007 8:26 pm
by Alpha_7
Love them Peter, well done and for a first effort.

PostPosted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 6:51 pm
by stubbsy
Kris, Patrick, Craig - thanks for the comments. One thing that really struck me about this technique is just how saturated the colours became. I need to play with this more in the future.

PostPosted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 7:05 pm
by Ben
Well done Peter, these are cool, number three for me. I did a little painting with light using people, you can get some intertesting effects. How you have balanced it with the ambient light is very effective.

Ben

PostPosted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 7:14 pm
by ATJ
Absolutely stunning, Peter. I'm speechless - I am without speech.

PostPosted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 7:26 pm
by Big V
Awesome

PostPosted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 8:46 pm
by Matt. K
#1 for me. It shines like moonlight. By the way...a moving light source is also wonderful for macro work. Give it a try sometime.

PostPosted: Wed Jun 13, 2007 6:51 pm
by stubbsy
Thanks for your comments. I just realised looking at the EXIF of #4 that it is a bit different to the others in that the torch was only used to fill in some of the side detail (earlier at dusk) whereas the other 3 shots it was used to illuminate the entire scene.

And a comment on #1 - it was shot at full moon whereas the others were not hence the great light on the roof.

PostPosted: Wed Jun 13, 2007 7:22 pm
by Underload
Great photos mate :)

I don't want to get all philosophical here, but it seems such a shame that visually interesting places like this, probably with a real history and feel behind them, need to be knocked down - to meet the needs and desires of consumerism.

It makes the photos all the more good.

PostPosted: Wed Jun 13, 2007 8:21 pm
by marcotrov
Gorgeous images Peter. I was about to try some light painting and hence bought a 2 million candle light from Bunnings. seems as though i wasted my money given what you have done with the good old mag light :oops:
cheers
marco

PostPosted: Thu Jun 14, 2007 10:05 am
by stubbsy
Underload wrote:Great photos mate :)

I don't want to get all philosophical here, but it seems such a shame that visually interesting places like this, probably with a real history and feel behind them, need to be knocked down - to meet the needs and desires of consumerism.

It makes the photos all the more good.

I helped my friend move house at the weekend. I was talking to his dad who, despite having received a reasonable amount of $ from the sale, is quite sad about the whole process. The farm has been in the family since 1925, but his view was that with a new suburb being created right next to the farm its character would be gone so he decided to sell reluctantly after having said no at a number of times in the past. When he worked the farm there were 3 adjacent dairy farms. Now there are none.

PostPosted: Thu Jun 14, 2007 10:30 am
by the foto fanatic
#1 and #3 should be able to be printed and sold in large quantities.

Very good work Peter.

PostPosted: Thu Jun 14, 2007 10:40 am
by sirhc55
#1 and #3 are superb, on #2, I would have cut in closer to the interior to give a touch of warmth.

PostPosted: Thu Jun 14, 2007 10:44 am
by Reschsmooth
Underload wrote:I don't want to get all philosophical here, but it seems such a shame that visually interesting places like this, probably with a real history and feel behind them, need to be knocked down - to meet the needs and desires of consumerism.


Can you explain what you mean by "meet the needs and desires of consumerism" in reference to the construction of residential properties?

Do you reckon Whathisname Wollstonecraft (and his descendants) should have held onto all his land from Wollstonecraft - North Sydney - Crows Nest and wherever else he had land holdings as opposed to eventually making it available for housing?

PostPosted: Thu Jun 14, 2007 12:12 pm
by Underload
Reschsmooth wrote:Can you explain what you mean by "meet the needs and desires of consumerism" in reference to the construction of residential properties?


Sure. Perhaps it is me being sentimental, but I think it's disappointing that urban sprawl needs to swallow up everything before it. Yes, everyone needs somewhere to live, and I'd be the very last to deny them of that right.

I have often (like many others I suppose) found old buildings like the one that Stubbsy has captured so well to be great not only to look at, but to have a poke around in. History, and a glimpse into times past. It just seems a stark contrast to what will soon be in its place.

JMHO by the way - I don't want start some multi page thread, where the focal point of it, Stubbsy's photos, is lost.

PostPosted: Thu Jun 14, 2007 1:22 pm
by Raskill
Great images mate. Sad about the urban sprawl, but I guess it comes with growth.

PostPosted: Fri Jun 15, 2007 7:25 pm
by Oneputt
Very nice Peter. I think that the third is my favourite. :D Light painting is something I have yet to try. Might give it a go.

PostPosted: Sat Jun 16, 2007 12:24 am
by blacknstormy
Peter = I love this series - and the shot with the moonlight on the roof is just magical :)

And for the record - I echo Underload's sentiments whole-heartedly :(

PostPosted: Sat Jun 16, 2007 4:42 pm
by colin_12
This is an interesting concept Peter. While I have seen it used before this is a great subject for it for me.
I also think that urban sprawl is a bit of a bummer.
Soon we will have to import all of our food.
Regards Colin