Great compositional subject. My $0.02. Get up in the face of this subject matter much closer with a very tight frame. I inherently am drawn to the gorgeous details of the crumbling building and the adjacent tree in more intimate detail. You may need an elevated position for lens coverage (ladder and rising center column).
Linhof Technikardan S45, Schneider-Kreuznach Apo-Symmar L 5.6/150, Heliopan CPL, Lee 81A, Provia 100F.
Lawrencefield Birches by atomstitcher, on Flickr
I can't decide if this is / was one large tree, or a group. The Victorians (in the UK) often planted saplings in a tight group, but this is in rural farmland and I think it is unlikely. There are parts of a larger bole that has rotted, maybe the smaller trees seeded from something larger.
I'm kicking myself for not giving it some space to the right (although roadside constraints and complications applied). I'll have to take it again sometime.
Ash tree(s) by Peter Brooks
5x4, Nikkor-M 300mm, yellow filter, FP4 in Rodinal
Nice, Peter...but where are the sheep
Thank you for the advice. I initially wanted to shoot up closer with 105/150mm lens. However, I was stopped by the "no trespass" sign at the roadside. Thus, I decided to shoot from side of the road using 210mm lens instead. Now to think of it, perhaps the sign was only used to prevent people from entering the building since it could collapse at any time. I don't think walking 20 meters closer to the building would matter in this case. I'll try again next time!
Thanks John. You're right - no pastoral scene is truly complete without sheep!
There were some, but down in the bottom of the field - away from me! Luckily this scene isn't far from where we live so when conditions are right (no wind or rain, and a good sky) I'll try again.
Oh yes... (must check edges, must check edges...)
First instincts are usually spot on. Couple of options. One is to see if you can ascertain who the property owner is by popping into the court house where property records are kept. Making the effort ahead of time and and asking for permission by identifying yourself and your objective to simply photograph there I have found is quite easy. Only had one entity say no and that was because the property was held by a management trust and they could care less. The other workable option is go early in the morning when you will have the place to yourself and you can get your shot. The light might be better as well. The other suggestion I would offer up is to try to get your camera to the highest vertical shooting position you can. I have a tripod that has a center column that rises quite high (and a step stool to get me there as well) and I have a 10 ft lightweight aluminum ladder that I clamped a piece of wood on top that I have a tripod head screw on top. It is amazing what even a modest increase in shooting position can do for a photograph.
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