The Cutting Room Floor (part 2)

The takeaway from this post and my previous one is that it’s good to revisit your images for a fresh perspective. As photographers we continue to learn and evolve. What we like one day, we may not like the next or vice versa. Sometimes the hardest thing to do is being our own critic. That is why it is good to put some time between you and your images if possible. I’ve read where some photographers actually sit on their images for a while before publishing. As I mentioned in my last post, this time away if you will, dissolves the emotional attachment to the photograph which allows us to be more critical.

That is why I love shooting film. The constraints of shooting film are actually advantages. Limited shots on a roll makes you more selective. Because you don’t want to waist a shot, you tend to pay attention to the details as you are more engaged and you can’t review your image right after you take it. Less camera controls keeps you focused. Having to finish a complete roll and wait for development puts the necessary time between you and your capture to give you a more objective view. Ultimately, shooting film slows the entire photo taking process down and makes you more of an observer.

I was not overly thrilled about this first picture, but I like the setting and composition. The new Nashville Sounds baseball park is really nice. The skyline view in the outfield is a nice touch. As a kid, I grew up attending games in the old park, Greer Stadium. I was fortunate to take in a few games with the family before it closed down. It was fun bringing the boys to a place I enjoyed as a kid. I can’t wait to take in another game with the family at the new park.

Play Ball!

First Tennessee Stadium – Nashville Sounds – Olympus OM1 / 50mm f1.8 / Kodak Portra 400 / Film Box Lab

The next image is a capture of a place I frequent often. Williamsport Lakes is a system of man made lakes open to the public for fishing and wildlife observation. It’s a nice place to enjoy nature. On second look, I really like the layers in this picture and the feather-like clouds.

On Golden Pond

Williamsport Lakes – Williamsport, Tennessee – Olympus OM1 / 28mm f3.5 / Fuji Superior X-Tra 400 / Film Box Lab

Keeping the nature theme, I really love this next shot. It shows the rolling landscape of Tennessee. I don’t know why I never published this one.

Tennessee Country

Maury County, Tennessee – Olympus OM1 / 28mm f3.5 / Fuji Superior X-Tra 400 / Film Box Lab

Montgomery Bell State Park is one of my favorite state parks. I often take nature hikes here. There is plenty of nature and wildlife to photograph, but I like photographing the still life, too.

Sit with Mother Nature

Montgomery Bell State Park – Olympus OM1 / 50mm f1.8 / Kodak Portra 400 / Film Box Lab

The next two imags are pictures of a historical site where my wife worked for several years. I won’t go into the history, but Rippavilla Plantation is steeped in Civil War History. Currently it is used as a museum and a venue for weddings and events. This particular shot was taken late one evening an hour or so before sunset. This is the roll where I discovered I had a light leak in my Mamiya 645 1000s. I had to conduct a light seal transplant to properly repair the leak. You can read about the operation and see pictures here. Luckily the operation was a success. I have since shot a few rolls with no light leak issues. I believe my seal installation was better than the original. The other issue with this picture that I did not like was the contrast. I believe this shot would be much better under a little cloud cover. I will have to retake this shot because I do like the composition.

Plantation Living

Rippavilla Plantation – Spring Hill, Tennessee – Mamiya 645 1000s / Sekor C 55mm f2.8 / Kodak Portra 400 / Film Box Lab

Right after I took the picture above, I set up to take the next shot. The shot below has been published. The sun was getting a little closer to sunset so the light was getting better. The light leak was not as noticeable in this shot and it was in a position I could easily fix in post processing.

Rippavilla

Rippavilla Plantation – Spring Hill, Tennessee – Mamiya 645 1000s / Sekor C 55mm f2.8 / Kodak Portra 400 / Film Box Lab

The next three images were shot with black and white film. This first image was taken just off the downtown Columbia square. It was not a good time to shoot this particular subject as the sun was high and the contrast was at its extreme. I do like the idea. I will probably revisit this area in the future.

Dump’s

Downtown Columbia, Tennessee – Olympus OM1 / 50mm f1.8 / Kodak TRI-X 400 / Film Box Lab

This next picture has such a mood. I guess the grain is what turned me off at first, but the more I look at it, the more I like it. This was taken at the Templeton Library in Sewanee, Tennessee. It is overlooking the valley of my hometown. You can just make out the road heading vertically in the frame on the right that leads to the mountain top.

Storms on the Horizon

Overlook at Templeton Library – Sewanee, Tennessee – Olympus OM1 / 50mm f1.8 / Ilford Delta 100 / Film Box Lab

For reference, below is a picture of the Templeton Library. The overlook above is just behind the building below. These pictures were taken at different times. The library shot has been published.

Templeton Library

Templeton Library – Sewanee, Tennessee – Mamiya 645 1000s / Sekor C 80mm f2.8 / Kodak TRI-X 400 / Film Box Lab

Next is an old house on the property of Kentucky Utilities in Burgin. This house reminds me of my old childhood home. The home’s structure is a bit different, but the lighting and framing of the shot has a nostalgic tone that reminds me of the first home I ever knew. Upon second look, I fell in love with this shot.

Home Sweet Home

Old House in Burgin, Kentucky – Olympus OM1 / 50mm f1.8 / Iford Delta 400 / Film Box Lab

I would really love to hear your opinion on these shots and your views on the picture taking process. If you have not read Part 1, please do. I would love to hear your opinion on the portraits as well. Thanks for reading and Long Live Film!

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