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Mt. Pleasant, Mississippi

Posted by
Jason Politte (Conway, AR, United States) on 2 July 2011 in Architecture and Portfolio.

Several years ago, I was on my way back to Conway from a trip to Mississippi when I happened upon this old overgrown shack in Mt. Pleasant. I really wanted to photograph it, but I knew that on a relatively bright day, I just wasn't going to get the effect I was hoping to achieve. I was wanting a sense of mystery for the shot.

I knew I wouldn't be back by here anytime soon, so I went back to my vehicle and found a piece of lens cleaning tissue. I rubbed it flat between my hands for a good ten minutes to get it as thin as I could. Then, I proceeded to tear tiny line-like holes into it. Next, I positioned the tissue in between my lens and a UV filter to keep it in place. Using my DOF preview button, I was able to see just how it was positioned relative to the frame and adjust it accordingly. I shot wide open to get the lens cleaning tissue as much out of focus as possible, and the above photo is the result. When I got my slides back, I was surprised at just how well this on-the-fly technique worked.

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Francisco Romero from Carbajal de la Legua, Spain

Fantastic effect achieved. No less great description of your technique. The atmosphere created is terrific, Jason. Thanks a lot and have a great weekend.

2 Jul 2011 6:16am

@Francisco Romero: Thank you very much, Francisco - I'm glad you like it!

jpla from St Barthélémy d, France

Cette brume est la bien venue ! Je te souhaite une agréable journée
JP

2 Jul 2011 6:56am

@jpla: Merci beaucoup!

CElliottUK from Reading, United Kingdom

haha-real creativity with the available materials. It ended up really well!

2 Jul 2011 8:37am

@CElliottUK: Thank you very much, Chris!

Stephen from Canberra, Australia

Brilliant technique you improvised here - who needs post-production software! Superb shot as well - love the way nature is reclaiming the site by climbing in through the window!

2 Jul 2011 10:51am

@Stephen: Thanks Stephen!

Rick from Toronto, Canada

A wonderful result to reward you (and us) for that creativity. This is a superbly moody shed and it needed a suitable vibe to show that off. I recently went on a little binge of shooting directly through various fabrics, plastic wrap, my sunglasses, a glass of water... just silly and fun, but two shots surprised me pleasantly. Nothing wrong with experimentation, and you prove it right here!

2 Jul 2011 11:29am

@Rick: Thank you very much, Rick! I agree, the photo just wasn't going to work without a moody atmosphere so I'm glad it worked out. :-) I'll be looking forward to a few of your experimental shots if you decide to post them.

Shaahin Bahremand from Tehran, Iran

oh ! great view

2 Jul 2011 11:40am

@Shaahin Bahremand: Thanks Shaahin!

Eric Cousineau from Sherwood Park, Canada

Definitely 5-stars for creativity Jason!!! The resulting image has a wonderful foggy and mysterious feel to it! Bravo! ;-)

2 Jul 2011 12:13pm

@Eric Cousineau: Thank you very much, Eric! Glad you liked it. :-)

Tede from Aubenas 07, France

Superb work, your idea was really clever, congratulations. Good day.

2 Jul 2011 1:32pm

@Tede: Thank you very much, Tede!

tataray from france, France

Quand la nature reprend le dessus....
Excellent. )

2 Jul 2011 1:34pm

@tataray: Merci beaucoup!

Viewfinder from Bradenton, FL, United States

Wow, who says improvising is just for jazz musicians? Your improvisation has produced a fantastic shot. Great tinkering, Jason!

2 Jul 2011 1:59pm

@Viewfinder: Thank you very much - glad you liked it!

Twojays from Southwest Montana, United States

This is photoart you have created, and an intriguing and moody subject to enhance and capture. I'm awarding you 5 squashed bugs too, because all the elements are working together perfectly.

2 Jul 2011 2:26pm

@Twojays: Thank you very much, Joyce - glad you liked it!

Nicou from Sion, Switzerland

Avec cette brume quelle ambiance et compo superb eiamge, très beau cadrage êt compo

2 Jul 2011 4:42pm

@Nicou: Merci beaucoup!

skarlet from kerman, Iran

beautiful composition! well done

2 Jul 2011 7:49pm

@skarlet: Thank you very much!

Phil David Morris 2011 from Saskatoon, Toronto, Canada

A very beautiful effect, I thought at first I was seeing a small wind tunnel that
sometimes pop up. Superb photo.

3 Jul 2011 1:57am

Steve Rice from Olympia, United States

Very mysterious! An ingenious solution to the problem and it worked really well.

3 Jul 2011 2:09am

Julie Brown from Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

So clever-nice work!

3 Jul 2011 2:39am

Anne from 新加坡, Singapore

Foggy and effective to the image, I like the mood and it works so well..excellent job rewarded, Jason!

4 Jul 2011 10:37am

Denny Jump Photo from Easton, PA, United States

Superb, Jason...what a brilliant shot and you really underscore the old adage that says: "Do the best job that you can with the tools that you have." Wonderful here sir!

5 Jul 2011 3:36pm

franz from Baden, Austria

wonderful compo and frame, and perfect use of light! a stunning effect!

6 Jul 2011 10:46pm

Barbara Kile from Ft. Worth, United States

Creative approach and great result!

7 Jul 2011 5:41pm