Photo of the Week 2011-02-21

In Cold Darkness


I had an opportunity for a return visit to the abandoned Massey Ferguson complex in Brantford (again with authorized access) this past weekend. A monthly photo challenge to make a self portrait and a suggestion to use this location as the setting came together nicely and resulted in the image above ...

I had planned to find a dramatically lit corner or alcove to work with off-camera strobes, something that I have yet to become competent with. After going directly to a location I knew of from the previous visit and working there for some time, I did not have what I was looking for. Picking up my gear, I went back into a large room where sunlight was beaming through holes in the dilapidated structure. There was a particular spot I had noticed on my way in, I would set up to use a beam of light isolate my profile in the darkness.

The air was frigid and still. Stepping into the light, the steam of my breath hung in the air ... click ... the image was frozen.

DJE

Portrait of the Photographer

"Why don't you photograph more people?" is something I hear from many of those who follow my photographic journey. Recently a friend from work was the latest to ask if I would consider photographing their wedding. Now I know that there is a lot more to photographing people and there is a lot more to photographing weddings than there is to photographing people. ... but, as I have mentioned here before, I want to advance my photographic skills and do more "people photography".

For me to do this, I really need to learn and become competent with lighting. To that end, I have been adding some lighting gear to what I had already accumulated over the years. With several speedlites, background kit, stands, softboxes, reflectors, beauty dish & grid, remote flash triggers and various other pieces of kit, I have set up a studio area in the basement to facilitate the learning. I feel Strobist will be a close friend for a while and that is a good thing. The strong community around the off camera flash movement will be just what I need to support my efforts ... of course some very good friends, Alan and Grant are very helpful whenever I have questions or need help.

With the "studio" coming into shape, I could not resist some trial shots. The only available victim (model) was "the Photographer". I feel this will be the case for many of my learning sessions, at least in the beginning. One goal ... to have "people" actually request a sitting.

... the result
self portrait 2011-01-26
1/90 s @ f/8
285 @ 1/2
16" beauty dish w/ grid camera left
DJE