Old Abandoned Barn

Click on image to enlarge it!

Click on image to enlarge it!

     This old abandoned barn is located just outside of my hometown. I think it falls into the Nature category because it's no longer in use, and looks to stay that way. I took these photographs during the twilight hours, and I would definitely recommend that as an ideal time for photographing. It's a time when it's not quite dark, but it's not quite light, so you get a unique perspective on a lot of things. I used the landscape feature on my camera (a Nikon D3300), which seemed to do the trick.

     My advice on taking quality photographs at night, in low light or shadowy situations is to use the "high key" feature on your camera, if it has that. However, be careful about using this feature, as it can wash out some of the image's detail, making it appear fake and blurry. If used right, this feature is especially helpful in situations where there is a bright background behind the object you want to shoot.

     As I mentioned earlier, I used the landscape feature for this particular photograph. Landscape features are meant to capture an object that cannot be focused on. For instance, if you try to take a picture of a grove of trees, the autofocus will have a tough time locating the trees. Once you switch the mode to landscape, it turns the focus off and allows you to snap your ideal pictures!

     These images are for sale in the Own a Photo! page located in your righthand sidebar. Check out the page, along with featured deals offered there. As a bonus, all shipping is free!







  

On Top of a Waterfall

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Click on image to enlarge it!

     Have you ever had the pleasure of standing atop a rushing waterfall? Speaking from personal experience, it feels exhilarating and terrifying at the same time! The photograph on the left is one I took of my sister standing on top of Gooseberry Falls. What you can't see in the picture is a crowd of people swimming and splashing in the natural pool below.

     The photograph on your right is of the same waterfall (as you can tell), minus my sister. Both of these photographs are available for purchase at the Own a Photo! page in the righthand sidebar.

     If you've ever had the breathtaking experience of standing on top of an active, surging waterfall, share it below in the comments! I'd love to hear your stories. Don't be afraid to share photographs as well!

A Fork in the River

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     I'd like to say that I took this picture because it reminded me of the decisions we often have to make in our lives, but that wouldn't be true. In all honesty, I took this picture because I thought it would be a cool picture––end of story. But as I look back on this picture, I can't help but think of the days of the fur trade (probably because I had just taken a tour about that very subject earlier in the day).

     WARNING: The following material is historical in nature (pun unintended), and unless you find yourself fascinated with the olden times, you may want to skip to the last paragraph.

     You see, if we lived back in the 1600's, and came across this fork in the river, we'd have to choose which way to paddle our birchbark canoe, as the main mode of transportation were the waterways. Fur trappers, Native Americans and businessmen alike used the network of rivers and lakes that span across North America. The Upper Midwest was the main location for the famously sought-after beaver furs, as it contains thousands of acres of forest––a prime habitat for beavers.

     It is a little known fact that the indians and europeans lived in harmony for around 200 years. Both cultures learned and benefited from each other––and surprisingly, intermarriage was common. The indians caught and sold beaver skins to the "white men," in exchange for beads and other essentials. The europeans used the beaver skins to construct fashionable items of clothing . . . the most favored item being the top hat. It's amazing to think that a complicated and well oiled trading business went on for 200 years, which also involved other countries from around the world (such as India), simply for the sake of men's fashion. 

     The point I want to make is that I think a photograph can cast us back in time, or illustrate to us a new idea. In this case, I found this photograph to remind me of when North America was just beginning to be tamed and explored. It's wonderfully metaphoric and historic at the same time. So I ask you . . .

     What does this photograph mean to you?