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Have a Seat
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Have a Seat

by Lon Overacker

Gallery: Man & NaturePosted August 18, 2011228 views8 comments
Can't remember the last time I've posted, so I figured it was about time. You saw Harley's Coupe and you know he and I took actually 2 side trips to Bodie during our trip up the Sonora Pass with Preston. Bodie was fun and turns out pretty productive.

Tons of titles are waiting out there for this image, but this is the best I can do for now. Feel free to offer any title suggestions. And of course your comments/critiques of this image would be appreciated.

For this scene, no, I did not have access inside, this was shot through a window. Natural lighting from the front side the building helped to highlight the chair and deteriorating wallpaper. Also did some work in PS of course to try and enhance that a bit.

Your thoughts?

4x5, 300mm, V100F, f/64 @ 1min

Thanks,
Lon

Comments

8 comments
Comment posted by Charlie Baugh on August 18, 2011 at 7:37 AM
This is special. This may have been photographed before, but I have never seen it. Bodie was a haunting place when i visited and I'm glad to see it still is. Not surprised the exposure is so "right on". That chair with the split seat, the draping, hanging multi layer wallpaper, all so different from what I expect to see of your work. And done with feeling. Thanks for posting this Lon. I love it.
Registered on April 18, 2011, 329 Posts, 1985 Comments
Comment posted by Cory Freeman on August 18, 2011 at 9:06 AM
good to see a post from you Lon. I haven't been to Bodie yet this season, probably in the fall when the crowds lessen. I like your shot here. the soft lighting and tones compliment each other very well. I'm glad you guys are still shooting film as it helps keep me in check with the digital work.

I could also see an alternative version where the fg door and floor are darkened so as to put even more emphasis on the chair and torn wall paper.

Thanks for the comment on my Picture Pk image!
Registered on December 16, 2003, 107 Posts, 1341 Comments
Comment posted by Harley Goldman on August 18, 2011 at 9:50 AM
I love this scene. You did a great job with the processing. Great colors and comp and love the way the light directs me from the door to the chair.

The lonely chair in the trashed strewn room, by itself in the wonderful light is such a sad, poignant scene, I would be inclined to name it "Gone". To me, that invokes the thoughts of what used to be and makes me wonder what happened and who used to sit in this room and in that chair.

It is a beautiful image, Lon!!! One of my favorites of yours.
Registered on November 19, 2003, 586 Posts, 11271 Comments
Comment posted by Reno DiTullio on August 18, 2011 at 5:48 PM
Gorgeous Lon. The POV seems as if one could walk into the room without disturbing anything, but the condition of the room makes me hesitate to enter, to even stir the ageless dust or disturb the smallest item on the floor. This room was meant to remain in this state without any "help" from man, without any outside disturbance; the room belongs to the spirits of the past. :toast:
Registered on November 14, 2003, 130 Posts, 1644 Comments
Comment posted by Phillip Noll on August 18, 2011 at 8:56 PM
I think if I was sitting in this chair there would be 3-4 big burly guys with 2x4s, lead pipes, and a baseball bat determined to get some info out of me!! (And they would get it!) Cool shot, Lon! :toast:
Registered on November 17, 2003, 207 Posts, 1083 Comments
Comment posted by Preston Birdwell on August 19, 2011 at 11:22 AM
In the simplest terms possible: This just works!

The light, and the comp are right on the money. Nice work, Mr. L!

--P
Registered on November 1, 2003, 471 Posts, 5188 Comments
Comment posted by Sandy Steinman on August 20, 2011 at 8:01 PM
Great light and well composed. Even without access it well framed and a good point of view. I was in the Bodie Hills a couple of weeks ago and didn't make it to Bodie as the storms had swollen a creek and it was too deep to drive across.

Sandy
Berkeley, CA
Natural History Wanderings
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sandysteinman/
http://picasaweb.google.com/sandysteinman
Registered on March 14, 2010, 10 Posts, 83 Comments
Comment posted by Robert Dayton on August 21, 2011 at 2:36 PM
Simple but interesting. For me, it's fine art. Well seen, Lon.
Registered on November 11, 2008, 281 Posts, 3958 Comments