Photographing old farm buildings - getting the wider picture

Old farm buildings near Cypress Hills, Alberta

Look at the images above and below; both are from the same photo, the above one is how I originally took it, and the other is a significant crop of just the second structure.

Crop of second structure from the above image.  Sharpening added.

Which do you prefer?  They both have their own appeal, and I could see how an argument could be made for either one.  For me, the answer comes down to what the purpose of the image is.  

My general preference is to see the environment surrounding the subject.  It gives context to the location and hints at what is or was occurring.  The top image provides this far better than the lower image.  The advantage of the lower image is that you get more detail of the structure, and the patina of the wood is often pleasing to one's eye.  One of the ways around this is to make a LARGE print - my pigment 17" wide printer at home can make 36" long prints, and I love large prints that show not only the environment the subjects reside in but the exquisite details of the components as well. 

I took the photo with my Z7ii, a camera with a 48 mp sensor and an S-level lens.  The detail and latitude are excellent allowing for fine reproductions.  The advantage of such prints is that you get the best of both worlds, the fine details of the structures and the environment in which they exist.  The problem - my lovely wife doesn't like large prints in our home.

But, it's all a good idea, in theory.

Thanks for reading.

Eric Svendsen     www.ericspix.com

  

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