fourpointedstar

I do like these photos, but … (see previous post)

I don’t click the shutter button nearly as often as I used to; it’s not that I don’t take my camera out as much, it’s that I take fewer photos overall but have a higher percentage of photos that I like. Most often, I know before I click if the photo will be worthwhile, and I’m much more willing to wait for the right shot, scene, or composition. In short, I’m much less “spray and pray” with the shutter button that I used to be.

But barns? I found it very difficult to find inspiration and compositions with the barns and other abandoned structures on our trip. It’s not that the buildings weren’t interesting; it’s that I haven’t developed the mind’s eye for it. Once I brought the images into Lightroom, I couldn’t “see” why I took the photo to begin with – or worse – I could see and now I thought it was weak or absent.

Perhaps I need more practice (I do), but as I mentioned before; there’s only so much time to take pictures, and maybe I’d rather spend it with the subjects and scenes that I already love.

At some point in life, most of us realize that we don’t have time for everything that we’re interested in – we’re forced to drop a hobby because we don’t have time.

Photography reached that point for me a few years back; I used to photograph anything, but I discovered that I wouldn’t edit certain photoshoots or would be annoyed at editing certain shoots. I enjoy certain subject matter and certain photo topics and would like to spend more time with those.

Old, abandoned buildings is one of those topics; it’s not that I don’t like the photos that I come up with, it’s that I’d rather be photographing something else. This was true on our trip to Southern Illinois with Keith French; on two days, we visited abandoned churches and barns, and I found myself wanting to wander through the woods instead.

I do like these photos, but …

Back in November 2023, Side Street Studio Arts hosted a photo walk; each participant was supposed to pick a “challenge” for the day, so I took every photo at 200mm. I’ve already posted several of my photos, so make sure to check those photos out too.

.

>other images<
.

As this biker rolled up, the chorus from Nirvana’s “Heart Shaped Box” blasted from his bluetooth speaker; I’m not certain that you could be more cool that this dude.  I crossed the street in front of him, and I gave him a sleight nod of my head to let him know that I felt his aura, and as I lifted my camera up to capture the image, he gave me just the edge of a smile to let me know that he knows that he’s worth of being photographed.

I ended up taking more than a handful of photos of the derelict (and possibly being refurbished?) Congress Theater, but of all of the images, I love this one the most.  The old run down theater locked behind a pad lock and gate, held back from the public and waiting for someone to find the right key.

About 10 minutes earlier, another bus passed by and as it passed I noticed the reflection of the brickwork and the trees.  I understand why this happens, but it kinda hurts my brain to realize that the bus has a bit of motion blur, but the reflection does not – making it a fantastic canvas.

I’ve taken this type of photo so many times – a building’s reflection distorted in the windows of another building.  The rough idea of the reflection is visible, but only at a conceptual level; almost like a third grader was tasked with cutting 50 straight lines as fast as they can without using a ruler.

As I stood waiting for fellow photo walkers to arrive, I could see the corner of the McDonald’s sign reflected in the triangular building across the street.  Moving to the left allowed the entire sign to be displayed in their windows; a great way to start a street photography photo walk.