Tag Archives: barn

Use Changing light and conditions to add interest

Posted on November 21, 2009 | Leave a comment

January Morning at Winn Barn - Copyright Gary Hamburgh 2009 - All Rights Reserved

I am always looking for a different perspective of photographing familiar areas and subjects. One of my favorite barns is located on Winn Road near Weston, Oregon. This is about one hour south of the Palouse. I visit this barn at all times of the year and at various times of the day. I am rarely disappointed in the images I capture at this spot.

On a January morning, I arrived at this barn about 30 minutes before sunrise and prepared to capture the barn at sunrise. To my delight as the sun was rising a fog filled the area where the barn was situated. I took my first image which is shown at the top of this post. As I waited the light was changing as can be seen in the image below. I also liked the black and white version of this image so included it as well.

January Morning at Winn Barn 2 - Copyright Gary Hamburgh 2009 - All Rights Reserved

January Morning at Winn Barn 2 b&w - Copyright Gary Hamburgh 2009 - All Rights Reserved

Finally as the sun got higher in the sky the fog lifted and the barn and its clouds were very visible as seen in the final image.  As you can see, by remaining in place I was able to capture several different images with a variety of moods of the same composition.

January Morning at Winn Barn 2009 - Copyright Gary Hamburgh 2009 - All Rights Reserved

I would suggest trying this procedure as you may be amazed at the image that is available with just a change of light or conditions.

Leave a comment

Posted in Palouse Landscapes, Photography Advice

Tagged , , , , ,

Experience Creativity

Posted on November 10, 2009 | Leave a comment
GHamburgh_MG_2218-Farm-in-the-Palouse

Farm in the Palouse - Copyright Gary Hamburgh 2009 - All Rights Reserved

Creativity for most of us at times seems to be elusive. It seems we have the tendency in our work to go into a deep fog. It is difficult to drag ourselves out because we feel we have to do something totally awesome to get our creativity back.

My mentor Scott Bourne has posted an article on Photofocus that speaks to this issue of creativity. I find it very insightful as it offers some perspectives I hadn’t considered. Give it a read and see if the points hit home with you.

The final thought expresses being creative is “being you”.

Leave a comment

Posted in Palouse Landscapes, Photography Advice

Tagged , , , ,

Ideas for Improving Your Photography

Posted on October 13, 2009 | Leave a comment

 

Barn Lit by Morning Light - Copyright Gary Hamburgh 2009 - All Rights Reserved

Barn Lit by Morning Light - Copyright Gary Hamburgh 2009 - All Rights Reserved

I would like to share with you an article “10 Ways to Improve Your Photography without Buying Gear” that was published by my mentor Scott Bourne on Photo Focus. It has some outstanding principles to help you improve your photography. Over the years that I have worked with Scott he has shared these ideas with me in various ways. 

That is one reason I created this blog and am emphasizing the Palouse. It is a beautiful area that is dear to my heart and it is easy for me to get passionate about the people and the images that are available there. Enjoy the reading and taking these ideas to heart will greatly enhance your images.

Leave a comment

Posted in Palouse Landscapes, Photography Advice

Tagged , , ,

Friendly Folks in the Palouse

Posted on October 1, 2009 | 1 comment
After a morning shoot at Steptoe Butte, I was traveling toward Oakesville when I spotted the barn in the image above. The rain was coming down in a steady downpour but I  stopped to look around. I saw a house back in the trees and decided to ask for a property release so I could come back and shoot the barn later.
I came to find out a few minutes later that the owners of the barn were a friendly couple that invited me in for some coffee and conversation. They told the story of how they had acquired the barn and were raising Arabian horses. After about an hour, we noticed it had stopped raining so they wanted to show me the barn up close as well as show me their horses.
This experience is very similar to many that I have had in the Palouse. The folks that live there are very warm and friendly and welcome you with open arms. Plan on spending some enjoyable time if you engage someone in conversation.
Needless to say, I left with a property release, some great images and a couple of new friends that assured me I was welcome to return at any time for a visit and also to photograph the barn and horses.
Horses near Red Barn - Copyright Gary Hamburgh 2009 - All Rights Reserved

Horses near Red Barn - Copyright Gary Hamburgh 2009 - All Rights Reserved

After a morning shoot at Steptoe Butte, I was traveling toward Oakesville when I spotted the barn in the image above. The rain was coming down in a steady downpour but I  stopped to look around. I saw a house back in the trees and decided to ask for a property release so I could come back and shoot the barn later.

I came to find out a few minutes later that the owners of the barn were a friendly couple that invited me in for some coffee and conversation. They told the story of how they had acquired the barn and were raising Arabian horses. After about an hour, we noticed it had stopped raining so they wanted to show me the barn up close as well as show me their horses.

This experience is very similar to many that I have had in the Palouse. The folks that live there are very warm and friendly and welcome you with open arms. Plan on spending some enjoyable time if you engage someone in conversation.

Needless to say, I left with a property release, some great images and a couple of new friends that assured me I was welcome to return at any time for a visit and also to photograph the barn and horses.

1 Comment

Posted in Palouse Landscapes

Tagged , , , , ,

Corvair Discovery

Posted on September 30, 2009 | 3 comments
Corvair with Barn - Copyright Gary Hamburgh 2009 - All Rights Reserved

Corvair with Barn - Copyright Gary Hamburgh 2009 - All Rights Reserved

A couple weeks ago as I was driving the countryside in the Palouse looking for barns, when I noticed the barn that you see in the image at the top of this post. When I stopped to check it out, I made a discovery of several old cars and trucks on the deserted property.

Corvair Pair - Copyright Gary Hamburgh 2009 - All Rights Reserved

Corvair Pair - Copyright Gary Hamburgh 2009 - All Rights Reserved

I love cars from the 50’s and 60’s and have owned a Corvair and a couple of Mustangs from the 60’s. As I walked around I saw two Corvairs sitting side by side in the weeds. They were pretty much in disrepair and in various stages of rust. Still they were of interest to me as I thoroughly looked them over and took pictures. This was a fun experience for me and I hope you enjoy the images.

Rusted Corvair - Copyright Gary Hamburgh 2009 - All Rights Reserved

Rusted Corvair - Copyright Gary Hamburgh 2009 - All Rights Reserved

One thing I have found in the Palouse region as in many other farming areas is that the farmers rarely get rid of an old truck or piece of farm machinery. There is a great opportunity to see and photograph these old vehicles if you have the desire.

A couple weeks ago as I was driving the countryside in the Palouse looking for barns, when I noticed the barn that you see in the image at the top of this post. When I stopped to check it out, I made a discovery of several old cars and trucks on the deserted property.
I love cars from the 50’s and 60’s and have owned a Corvair and a couple of Mustangs from the 60’s. As I walked around I saw two Corvairs sitting side by side in the weeds. They were pretty much in disrepair and in various stages of rust. Still they were of interest to me as I thoroughly looked them over and took pictures. This was a fun experience for me and I hope you enjoy the images.
One thing I have found in the Palouse region as in many other farming areas is that the farmers rarely get rid of an old truck or piece of farm machinery. There is a great opportunity to see and photograph these old vehicles if you have the desire.

3 Comments

Posted in Photography Advice, Uncategorized

Tagged , , , , ,

Develop Your Artist’s Statement

Posted on September 21, 2009 | 1 comment
Union Barn in Early Light - Copyright by Gary Hamburgh 2009- All Rights Reserved

Union Barn in Early Light - Copyright by Gary Hamburgh 2009- All Rights Reserved

It is important to develop an artist’s statement so that you can share your vision with other’s who may be interested in your work. My mentor Scott Bourne has written an excellent article discussing this topic. I have included that article which is titled “Do You Have An Artist’s Statement?”

I hope you take the time to develop an artist’s statement so that you may convey to your audience your vision for your work.

1 Comment

Posted in Photography Advice

Tagged , , ,

Photomatix Pro – comparing tone mapping and blending images

Posted on July 16, 2009 | Leave a comment

Early Light on White Barn by Gary Hamburgh - All Rights Reserved

Early Light on White Barn by Gary Hamburgh - All Rights Reserved

I have been using Photomatix Pro for several months to process HDR images. I have been very happy with the results for HDR but there is another option in the program that I had not tried until recently. Rather than generating an HDR and tone mapping, the other option is to create an image through exposure blending.

I tried this process and below is a comparison between the final images using HDR in the first image and exposure blending in the second.

Palouse Falls Canyon by Gary Hamburgh - All Rights Reserved

Palouse Falls Canyon by Gary Hamburgh - All Rights Reserved

Palouse Falls Canyon by Gary Hamburgh - All Rights Reserved

Palouse Falls Canyon by Gary Hamburgh - All Rights Reserved

In this example my preference is for the image that was processed with tone mapping as it tends to show more detail in the shadows. Some of you may prefer the exposure blending so It is nice that this program does allow for  options for combining and processing images with high contrast elements.

Leave a comment

Posted in Palouse Landscapes, Photography Advice

Tagged , , , ,

Use lines and patterns to move through an image

Posted on June 26, 2009 | 6 comments

Patterns in the Hay by Gary Hamburgh - All Rights Reserved

Patterns in the Hay by Gary Hamburgh - All Rights Reserved

As you are composing your images look for elements to use as leading lines. in the image above I used the patterns in the hay to draw attention to the barns and lead you through the image.

In the second image the grass leads to the ramp and up to the door.  It invites you to enter the barn as well as enter the image and explore.

Entrance to Old Barn by Gary Hamburgh - All Rights Reserved

Entrance to Old Barn by Gary Hamburgh - All Rights Reserved

In the final image below the diagonal line of the grass leads your eye to the barn and on throughout the image. The road also adds to leading you through the image by taking you to the stop sign in the distance.

Red Barn near Dirt Road by Gary Hamburgh - All Rights Reserved

Red Barn near Dirt Road by Gary Hamburgh - All Rights Reserved

These are just a few examples of using elements as you compose to add interest and provide an entry point and a way for your eye to move through the image.


6 Comments

Posted in Palouse Landscapes, Photography Advice

Tagged , , , , , , ,

Utilize a Mentor

Posted on June 15, 2009 | 2 comments
Morning Glow on Winn Barn by Gary Hamburgh - All Rights Reserved

Morning Glow on Winn Barn by Gary Hamburgh - All Rights Reserved

I have used a mentor for my work since I first started photographing 6 years ago. His name is Scott Bourne . Over the years he has helped me by giving advice about both photography and business. At times I have paid for his expertise and other times he has offered free advice. It has been very helpful to me as I progress through my career.

Scott has posted an article that talks about Seeking Out the Advice of Others. I think you will find it very valuable as you look to improve your photography. I would highly suggest you find someone that is knowledgeable and very honest and unbiased about your work. Brutal honesty can be tough but very helpful as you critique your work.

Good luck and I hope you can find someone that can be as valuable to you as my mentor has been to me.

2 Comments

Posted in Photography Advice

Tagged , ,

Sweet Light Sells

Posted on June 11, 2009 | 3 comments

Sheep Graze near Old Barn by Gary Hamburgh - All Rights Reserved

Sheep Graze near Old Barn by Gary Hamburgh - All Rights Reserved

As photographers, we are always talking about how the “sweet light” of early morning and late evening can really enhance an image. A couple of weeks ago as I was visiting the Palouse this fact was brought to my attention once again in a very dramatic way.

I was actually on my way home going from Colfax to Issaquah and I decided to take one of my favorite roads which is SR 23 between Steptoe and Sprague. This twenty plus mile stretch of road has several nice and accessible barns for photographing. As I drove along I saw one of my favorite barns in very flat light but i decided to stop and shoot it to use as a teaching image demonstrating the idea that good composition in bad light still does not make a good image. The result was the image that you see below.

Red Barn in Flat Light by Gary Hamburgh - All Rights Reserved

Red Barn in Flat Light by Gary Hamburgh - All Rights Reserved

As I was walking around a bit just enjoying the solitude of this spot and trying to avoid becoming a major meal for the mosquitoes, I noticed a small clearing in the skies to the west. I decided to wait to see if perhaps the sun might break through for a brief moment so I could capture a similar image with good light. This would really help demonstrate the point I wanted to illustrate. As I waited I saw the light begin to break through and for a few short moments I was able to capture the barn in all its glory with good light as you see below.

Barn Glows in Evening Light by Gary Hamburgh - All Right Reserved

Barn Glows in Evening Light by Gary Hamburgh - All Right Reserved

Hopefully the message you receive from what I have written is twofold. First don’t shoot in bad light and secondly wait, anticipate and be ready for the “sweet light” when it does present itself. If you do you will have a keeper. Good luck with your search as you explore the Palouse.

3 Comments

Posted in Palouse Landscapes

Tagged , , , , ,