Posted on Nov.04, 2010, under Michigan
(Nikon D700, 16-35mm at 22mm, ISO 200, Exposure 1/250 sec @ f/11)
Ok, maybe it’s not really a garden path, but a path none the less. This shot was taken at Traverse City Commons, also known as the old Traverse City State Mental Hospital also known as the Northern Michigan Asylum. The hospital buildings and grounds are being converted from decaying hulks into retail shops and residential condos. A few buildings have been converted, but there are many others that are still in rough shape. The image above shows one such cluster of buildings.
Processing on this image consisted of two main changes, cropping from horizontal to vertical, and conversion from color to black and white. The picture was shot with my 16-35mm lens and I originally thought that a wide shot would be interesting. While processing it, however, I noticed that the path made for an interesting element and the wide shot didn’t emphasize it enough. I cropped so that the image focuses more on the path that leads to one of the buildings. I converted the image using Nik’s Silver Efex Pro. After getting a basic conversion, I used some control points to brighten some of the vegetation as well as the path. I finished the image off with a bit of a vignette.
Comments or thoughts?
Copyright © 2010 James W. Howe – All rights reserved.
Also, I’ll be posting a post today that will include a link to you and your work.
From concept, vision, capture and view-after… it is amazing how our view changes from when first seen to when we view and see something different again within the image. I like what you created with your vertical crop.
Not to be an additional thorn: I do agree with John Barclay and to keep the image “as was” (horizontal) and frame close to the trees. The trees add a great balance, presence and tell the story of how the old cement path likely cracked over the years from the roots of the trees. Keep the black-and-white… that is simply an awesome transformation and brings new (old) spirit to this historical site. The stories these buildings, trees and grounds could say…
All in all, a very powerful image and looks great in black-and-white. Awesome work!