The Holga Pictures - Barn

It was an overcast day, and the conditions were perfect for taking pictures with the Holga. Bright skies usually require a good deal of burning to achieve any definition, so cloudy skies make developing and printing much easier. The barn is across from the baseball field in Sewanee, and had interested me because of it's weathered wood and general condition. I made three exposures, this being the best. The print is done using split filter exposures on variable contrast paper. My first attempt at making a print was unsatisfactory, and I waited several days before making a second attempt. There is extensive burning on the sky and field in the foreground. Bringing out the detail of the clouds, as well as the texture in the grass required quite a bit of patience. I've done some further burning of the sky with Photoshop, a correction I would make if I were to make another print from this negative.






















© 2009 Greg Petropoulos

Color

Lately I've taken several pictures that have color components that are somewhat striking. I wish I could analyze this in a rational manner (or perhaps I'm really glad that I can't). What I can say is that the colors in these particular photos have had a purely visceral effect on me. I am surprised and delighted by this experience. These colors came out of nowhere are dazzled me. In one case (the red barn) I was impressed by the subtlety of the color. I removed all other colors from the picture, and even now when I see the red barn, I'm not quite sure if it's really there. The mallard is a riot of bright, contrasting colors. It was as if a child got to pick the yellow beak, the green head, and the blue feather under the wing, for no sane adult would throw those colors together. Finally, the blue sky with the white clouds. We've seen them often enough, but the purity of the colors seem to bypass the eyes altogether and go directly for the central nervous system. My spine melts into a state of complete relaxation every time I see this sky. Colors are amazing.


All Images ©2008 Greg Petropoulos