I’ve been riding my bicycle past this neat old barn for four years and each time I pass I think to myself: “You must photograph this barn John.” I finally did it and will continue the series as the corn grows taller and taller until it’s as tall as an elephant’s eye.
This shot was taken in the evening. The light was a bit flat and coming from my right. I used a yellow contrast filter to separate the clouds from the sky. Not much contrast among the barn, the foliage and the fence.
I took this one a few days later on Friday morning (today). There wasn’t a cloud in the sky and the brilliant morning light was coming from my left. I bought an X1 green contrast filter last year and believe it or not, this shot is the first time I ever used it.
There’s a huge difference between these images. The first shot was made on Ilford FP4+ with a 50mm lens. The second with Fuji Neopan 400 with a 35mm lens. The time of day put the sun 180 degrees apart. But the biggest difference was because of the contrast filters I used.
I used the yellow filter in the first shot to darken the blue sky and bring out the clouds. Without the yellow filter, the sky would have been white. But the tonality of the red barn and the green foliage are too close so there’s little contrast and the image is dull.
Contrast brings the second image to life. The green filter darkened the red barn because red is the compliment of green while, at the same time, the green filter lightened the green foliage. Notice how the fence next to the silo pops out in this version. I’m pleased with the results and will be playing with my contrast filters all summer. I’d like to see what happens to the clouds and the sky with a green filter.
Drop on by The Monochrome Weekend, especially if you are a monochrome maniac. There’s lots links to some great monochrome photography. And some of the monochrome maniacs still use film like I do.
I like both of these shots so much. That barn is a great subject for photography.
I love both, for the difference in the brightness… I always wanted to visit a place like this. I hope you dopost the corns as they grow.
Kisses from us.
I like your commentary on filters and showing us the difference. You’re right, I like the sky with the yellow filter, and the buildings and corn with the green filter.
I like the rows of corn that bend in unison disappearing to the right – in the second photo! I also like the lighting in this one and the composition.
An excellent lesson in filter use. You’ll have a load of fun experimenting!
Thank you for describing your use of filters, it is very helpful. The second shot jumps off the page because of the additional contrast. Great idea to show similar shots under different conditions. I like to do this with circular polarizer filters.
I love both of these, but can appreciate the contrast in the second shot. Can’t wait to see the scene on a day with fluffy white clouds.
I enjoyed the look into the mind of a craftsman pursuing a shot. I’st been many years since I shot film and black and white. Thank you for the reminder and the lovely photos.
Now I understand about the filters! The second shot is my favourite – I really like that tumbledown building.
I would love to see this place with my own eyes!
Love your shots and thank you for the lesson about filters 🙂
Have a great weekend, John!
Both great pictures, John, and a good object lesson in the use of filters.
Interesting comparison. I like the how the green filter made the red barn darker and the green foliage lighter in the second image.
Great pictures. They make me think of The Wizard of Oz when it’s all black and white.
These monochromes are fascinating..and the barn is a classic. I could stare at these forever.
«Louis» doesn’t use any filters; he found this contrast between the different filters fascinating. hmmmm….. Maybe it’s time to consider filters….
Although I see your point on the contrast, I really like the top one best. Maybe it’s the evening light and the sky.
That corn has really grown in just a few days!
I love your photos so much…very traditional views…
That’s a neat lesson in the use of filters, very well illustrated. The old barn is a great subject, too.
Glad you listened to yourself!As lot of men, you always speak about the technical way you took your pictures! Ü
But I prefer to focus on what you show: I don’t know if you imagine how much american this picture can be from Europe!The shape of the barn, the corn field, even the mood , make a very typical landscape of your country!The kind we immediately recognise.That’s what I like to see in your beautyful pictures!
Have a nice sunday, and , as we celebrate it here, a nice Father’s day!
you did a nice job with the yellow filter and the clouds …it’s not that easy, I know 😉
Very interesting … thanks for sharing!
I love your photos! Thanks for sharing!
You took beautiful pictures, and these are just great macro..The monochrome really brings all the details out too.