Same Place —Different View
Those of you who have followed this blog for some time know I love stormy skies. In fact, fairly recently, I did a blog on Blue Skies, Who Needs’em.
Stormy skies are magnificent, powerful, and a great backdrop to spring greens. Complementary colors, believe it or not.
The forecast was for T-storms. Perfect.
“The barn with the red roof will be perfect,” I said to Arnie, and he agreed.
And it was. The clouds were moving very fast, so we set up and composed quickly. I started with the one here, as it was a different vantage point from one I had done last year that has appeared online and in ads. I purposely added the little white building with the red roof down in the valley as a mini-counterpoint.
Getting the fence to behave was a little more challenging, especially while making sure the roof line didn’t land on the hill ridge beyond.
It was clear that the rains were coming soon, and I wanted to return to the spot where I did the shot a year ago, treating it a little differently.
I scooted down the road, picked my way gingerly across the cattle crossing, and quickly scrambled up to a spot that allowed me to include that same smaller, white building.
Efficiency was important now, as I could feel the first hints of a deluge. The occasional splat landed on top of my head.
Because I knew what I wanted — “previsualized,” as we call it — I was able to set up and grab two shots, one of which is here. Quickly, I got low to the ground so that I could separate the barn room and upper part of the building from the background. That way, it would stand out.
The occasion splats weren’t so occasional any more, so I headed for the car, protecting my camera and lens.
As I sat in the car, waiting for the others to retreat from the rain, I thought back to the photograph I made last year and wondered how they might compare. Here it is.
Once again, same place, different view. Two of these were made from no more than 15 feet apart. The first one, from the uphill side of the barn. And again, look at the difference in two stormy skies, almost exactly a year apart.
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Beautiful images! Right time and right place for sure! Amazing clouds…and the red roof!
Trisha,
You’re right; it’s the red roof that sets it all off. It is also why, when we saw on oncoming storm, we headed to that location.
Part of photography is knowing where the best place is to be for a given situation or weather condition.
Take care,
TBC
Margo,
Although both images are outstanding, I like the image made this year better than the image made last year. This year’s image has the advantage of the distant red barn as a counterpoint, a darker sky, much darker hills in the background, and a cloud shape which seems to mimic the shape of the distant hills. Taken together, all three elements help the red barn to stand out a bit more, making a much more dramatic and interesting image.
Arnie B.
Arnie B.,
Yes, the sky was more interesting, for sure, this year, but Mother Nature, as I noted, has a mind of her own, and we can’t always choose our skies. I’m glad you agree with my decision to add the little building as a counter point. I think it makes the image stronger.
Take care, and thanks for writing,
TBC
Well, here I go again, commenting. LOL. Tremendous photo of the barn and the dark clouds both times. I love this year’s take. The line of clouds leads you right back into the photo, but doesn’t take away from the barn. Two subjects in the same photo supporting each other. I personally like how you came in tighter on the barn but were able to capture those clouds. We had a some good storm clouds last year, but this one is fantastic. I am sure the rain wasn’t any better.
John,
We always enjoy your comments, so never feel shy about chiming in.
As to the storm clouds, they were fantastic both years. And the rain? Yes, just as hard, and yes, we got just as soaked. Once in the car, however, we backed into that little side road, upped the tailgate, took shelter well inside, right up by the back seats, and photographed out back. I may share those another day. It was definitely a soggy-biscuit day.
Take care,
TBC
Wow, great comparison to demonstrate the powerful impact of how light, composition, clouds, colors and lines can affect the emotional impact of a photograph.
Annette,
It’s certainly what we were talking about in our workshop on the Outer Banks recently, although we weren’t treated to skies quite this dramatic.
Take care, and best to Woody, too,
TBC
These are beautiful images. I love the lighting in the sky.
Geoff,
Those skies are a good reason to head out in inclement weather. Of course, if the lightning gets too close, best to head for the car.
So glad you like the photographs, and thanks for writing.
Take care,
TBC
Fab Margo, I was with you every step of the way, a welcome respite from my “cube-ic” existence today!
Any chance this was part of the superstorm a few weeks ago?
Rick
Rick,
Actually, it was yesterday that we were there. It was followed by horizontal rain. Not good for lenses, but ours were all protected. It was just us chickens that got soaked!
Glad you liked the images.
Take care,
TBC