Saturday, May 27, 2006
Harris Tweed (Lewis)
This was taken at Gearrannian Blackhouse Village. We had been driving along the west coast and arrived at this museum when it should have been closing (17:30). This chap insisted on running the loom and explaining everything about the way in which the work was done in crofts, how the loom worked etc etc. Around 18:00 I made a comment about the need for him to pack up and go home. His comment? "We don't work to rule up here you know!"
On the left, out of view, were two and half lengths of tweed that the museum had made in demonstrations. They were waiting for the local mill to open and wash the cloth. In conversation the value of the cloth was said to be £1000.
This picture was taken at ISO800 1/10s F2.8 hand held.
I put this here not because it is a great photographic achievement but by way of a tribute to all the friendly Hibrideans we met.
Permalink / posted by and copyright of Rex : 5:23 PM
Comments:
Nothing like dealing with an enthusiast!
"not because it is a great photographic achievement".....but an achievement nonetheless given the lighting conditions, and a lovely human moment.
Contrary to my comment on an earlier picture, this is one where the narrative is important and does add to the picture.
I'd say this is actually a pretty good documentary photo. Apart from the highlights on the gentleman's head, I can't see anything that I'd want to change.
From memory the illumination was a single large lamp not far above his head. There is nothing left in the RAW image.
With great care and precision my flash gear was left behind my chair in Bransgore!
Following up my response to Auspicious, this is also a portrait. I am not sure that I really go with whether something is 'documentary' or not; it's either a good photo or not. Well done on the shutter speed. It's very rewarding when one pushes the tools to get a shot in these sort of conditions and your decision to (largely) expose for the shadows was probably right, although a more 'portrait'-type (!) shot might have captured him exposed for the highlight with the room sinking into the shadows, all in black and white! You were fortunate to have that demonstration and talk and then be able to get the photo. Even without you saying anything, this would be an expressive shot and the blur is perfect. I'm also rather fascinated by the construction of the stone wall.
This is a very good example of applied photography. It shows the subject well and I particularly like the movement in the loom. Probably could do with a bit of dodging on the left side.
I'm finding the gentlemen just a litlle to static. And the brightspot on his head is too hot. Perhaps some movement in the hand may bring this picture up some more for me. It's a shame, as I really like the movement in the loom.
Such a dynamic photograph. It's good to see the machine in use rather than sitting static as shown in many photographs.
I agree with the comments about the light above the gentleman's head.
I have some others where his hands were blurred. I had dismissed them, maybe too rapidly. I will re-evaluate. I think he has burnt out hair in all of them. If I had turned out that light it would have been dark, very dark, very very dark.
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"not because it is a great photographic achievement".....but an achievement nonetheless given the lighting conditions, and a lovely human moment.
Contrary to my comment on an earlier picture, this is one where the narrative is important and does add to the picture.
With great care and precision my flash gear was left behind my chair in Bransgore!
I agree with the comments about the light above the gentleman's head.