Home on the Range
Catching the right image is often all about timing - and some luck. If had not forgotten my cell phone at Elmhirst's Resort while setting up my Spark Photo Festival show this morning, I would never have been confronted with this scene and the perfect lighting that made me stop the car and grab my camera.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/3ba77f30ad59ff107bad7134eae69331/8b1a5668-51bd-4028-af70-61ad45b686e5_rw_3840.jpg?h=1f319066e8e0693863e53a7a60b42367)
Being comfortable with your camera, having a good grasp of exposure theory, and knowing your way around post-processing takes that lucky opportunity and gives you a chance to do something special.
As I was editing this image, the tonality and contrast quickly became the dominant visual elements, so I switched to a black and white profile rendering (#6). Combined with a couple local adjustments (which are off.the.hook in functionality), the image truly started to sing.
The image is OK in colour, but I think it really shines as black and white.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/3ba77f30ad59ff107bad7134eae69331/a8d08345-1df6-49d1-a49a-9fd718313052_rw_3840.jpg?h=5159d21ddc32d9bb7f07e715e24d91f5)
Later this weekend, I came back to other versions of this scene and processed two that I'm also quite pleased with.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/3ba77f30ad59ff107bad7134eae69331/3e6b1bd4-e45e-4542-9b84-b1c5f8e7f79f_rw_1920.jpg?h=cf17368e81386175db451f5eb867f3a5)
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/3ba77f30ad59ff107bad7134eae69331/0f8391ff-63b8-4f91-abd4-4267b5b8e8d1_rw_1920.jpg?h=7c3d5dba67c9e7ab5982422921ffb90f)
I really like the vintage look of the vertical shot, even though the solar panel and modern tractor present a temporal dichotomy. A friend of mine recently commented on the similarities between the vintage image and a 1948 painting by Andrew Wyeth, Christina's World. After viewing that painting, I was doubly flattered, and can definitely see the similarities in composition, sans the human subject.
Never underestimate a route you travel regularly. At the right time of day with the right kind of light, it can surprise and reward you… if you are prepared.