The moon is often low in the west behind this church in the morning, especially when the moon is more than 50% - it looked almost exactly like this today when the fog was burning off, only the moon was larger at 91.6% and there was no color in the clouds.
Yup, I've seen lots of great panos that include this church - the terrain is so open and it is easy to do (I've got one that is about 200megapixels). Watched a guy working with an 8x10 Deardorf last year - you could cut out any part of his tranny for a large pano. I guess Matt Bradley is the one who made this church famous in his National Geographic article from the 1970's.
Posted by Craig Myers on October 7, 2009 at 1:27 PM
Maybe someone should approach the owners with a portfolio of images of the church to show them the scene they've ruined. Perhaps they would have second thoughts.
Posted by Karla Hall on October 7, 2009 at 1:39 PM
That's pretty sickening.Is this church not on the national historic register? If it is they are supposed to have structures approved before they can put them there.Just a thought...
Posted by Scott Bean on October 7, 2009 at 4:31 PM
This is a great shot! Too bad the carport has been added to such a lovely place...guess that is "progress" right? Funny how we humans define that word sometimes.
I didn't mean to let all the worms loose, just wanted to pass on some info. Fact is that being on the historic register doesn't come with any protections at all. I am part owner of a building that we got listed and we can literally do anything to it that we want to now, including tear it down if we want - the listing added nothing. If the Boxley building is inside the park boundary then it might have its own special protection (like most of the buildings in Boxley), however keeping a clear view for photographers probably is not included. It is indeed private property, and while it is unfortunate they put the carport in that location, it certainly is not our place to complain about it. I sure don't want anyone trying to tell me what I can or can't do with my property - do you? We don't have any special rights to view or photograph this building (other than being able to take its photo since we can see it from a public road) - it is simply there for us to enjoy as the property owners happen to see fit to allow. I suspect what will happen is that folks will find other angles to use and will come up with more and better photographs than we already have - and/or we'll get better at Photoshop in the process, ha!
My photo above was taken a couple of years ago and there has been nothing that I know of added, other than the carport and a few more dead bodies (I will be one of them someday).
By the way, they are very nice folks at the church - perhaps you could stop by and drop something in the plate and thank them for keeping their property up so well so that we could take pictures, and for welcoming the public to get in close to view the church and cemetery. You just might decide to stay for the service!
No, no, not complaints - THANK him for helping us help ourselves become better at Photoshop without having to pay him! I'm sure he was behind putting all the collars on the bull elk and green neck bands on the zoo swans in Boxley too. Maybe they will bring Photoshop World to the valley sometime...
Photoshop skills aside, I really like this image Tim.
I have stopped by this spot 4 or 5 times over the last two years hoping for great conditions like this and it just hasn't happened for me - yet.
Posted by Bill Dark on October 7, 2009 at 11:05 PM
I believe this is one you took before breakfast at the last workshop I attended. It was one of the examples you used in a photoshop lesson. Looks just as good now as it did back then - maybe better!
Yup, that's the one - you've got the memory of an elephant! I sped right on past the scene so that I could help you guys eat breakfast, but when I got to the junction I decided to turn around and go back. Glad I did - it has become my largest-selling image ever. (and the cover for the Arkansas Landscape picture book) I just donated a large canvas of it to the Jasper school library yesterday - the kids did not even know it was in Newton County. I'll replace this image later today with one of the carport - didn't think to shoot one yesterday.
I just replaced the original photo with one I took this morning showing the carport, FYI. You can still get a clear view of the front of the church from the road by moving to the left a little bit, but the big tree on the left begins to cover up the church, and you would still have the carport to deal with on the right - practice, practice, practice...
One of many things I've learned in Tim's workshops is to NEVER throw any files away. This is a great example of why. I have several images of this church archived, but have never been happy with the scene as shot. Most will take quite a bit of work before I'm satisfied with the final product.
Posted by Karla Hall on October 8, 2009 at 8:38 PM
Carport....What Carport?????
Hope you don't mind me photoshopping your shot Tim! This took all of about 10 minutes guys, so no worries...It can be done...Of course, if I was doing it for real, it would take longer that 10 minutes
Ciao!
Posted by Joe Rogers on October 8, 2009 at 8:59 PM
Hello all from Texas,
Tim, it was your shot that so wowed me about a year ago that I started following the Central States Forum.....then I was wowed by the fine photography done on this forum, so last June my brother and I made a scouting trip up to the Buffalo National River and spent three wonderful days photographing. We are coming back this fall.
While in Boxley I attempted to duplicate Tim's wonderful image....the results were not as good by a long measure, but I did get a very passable image at sunset. Thanks all and thank you, again, Tim.
Joe Rogers
Vernon, Tx
Posted by Bryan Simpson on October 9, 2009 at 10:21 PM
Joe, many of us here owe a lot of our inspiration to Tim (and those that have taken one of his workshops owe much of our skill as well). Like you, I have also been inspired by the other fine photographers here. It's a talented group.
I must warn you about the Buffalo River area though. I made my first trip up there in 2003 and usually find myself making a couple of trips there every year. I also regularly check the real estate listings and dream. It's a compelling place.
If you are coming this fall, you ought to consider joing us for the gathering later this month. Check out Bill Dark's post for details.
Posted by TIMERNST on October 11, 2009 at 10:00 PM
I just spoke with one of the elders in the church tonight. They have received a number of complaints from Cloudland Journal readers and members of the church about the location of the new carport - I was told tonight that it would be moved "within the next 1-2 weeks." So the old classic view will be restored soon, yippie coyote! The carport was originally supposed to be built behind the church but they were unable to due to some issue with the sub-surface, but they hope to get that fixed...
Posted by Mike Hall on October 11, 2009 at 10:43 PM
That's GREAT news! Well done!
Posted by Ed Cooley on October 13, 2009 at 11:03 PM
Wow that is good news. I drove up to the church and couldn't believe where they put that carport. I drove off a little depressed thinking "Exactly what happens when decisions are made by committee!"
Glad to hear they will be moving it soon, I may get my classic shot after all. It is impressive that they can be so understanding.
I'm a little surprised at your comments about the historical register. My gallery building is in the Rogers historic downtown district and we had to "jump through hoops" to get our plans approved. Fortunately the building was trashed when we bought it so our updated retro look was a welcome improvement from the 1970 shake shingle monstrosity we purchased.
Ed: your "district" may have their own policies and regulations. An individual building that is listed on the federal National Historic Register has no protection, at least that is the way our building is. I was quite surprised when I read the generic regulations and discovered that we could even tear it down if we wanted to because we had heard so much the opposite. All of the buildings in Boxley are different as well since they come under the management of the National Park Service - a different animal for sure! Obviously the church is able to operate under a different set of rules since there are no new buildings allowed elsewhere in the park. Perhaps it is considered just a temp structure. I know one land owner in Boxley that has been in need of a new hay barn for years and they refuse to allow it.
Posted by Gale Rainwater on October 14, 2009 at 11:18 PM
Great news Tim your influence really paid off. I give you all the credit for getting this taken care of. I also looked at it and was dissapoited after seeing it. This may give us all more insperation to get a beautiful image of this Arkansas icon.
Posted by TIMERNST on December 25, 2009 at 7:24 AM
Update Christmas morning: As an extra gift to the world besides the snow and all the beauty and glory of Boxley, the members of Boxley Baptist Church have made good on their promise and the carport has now been moved - it is completely out of sight behind the new church building. I think they really were just clearing the way for Santa, but it is an extra bonus for photographers and everyone else who enjoys seeing a clear view of this old icon.
Discussion
24 repliesYup, I've seen lots of great panos that include this church - the terrain is so open and it is easy to do (I've got one that is about 200megapixels). Watched a guy working with an 8x10 Deardorf last year - you could cut out any part of his tranny for a large pano. I guess Matt Bradley is the one who made this church famous in his National Geographic article from the 1970's.
My photo above was taken a couple of years ago and there has been nothing that I know of added, other than the carport and a few more dead bodies (I will be one of them someday).
By the way, they are very nice folks at the church - perhaps you could stop by and drop something in the plate and thank them for keeping their property up so well so that we could take pictures, and for welcoming the public to get in close to view the church and cemetery. You just might decide to stay for the service!
Do you think he would see the humor in it if we were to email him complaints?
I have stopped by this spot 4 or 5 times over the last two years hoping for great conditions like this and it just hasn't happened for me - yet.
Hope you don't mind me photoshopping your shot Tim! This took all of about 10 minutes guys, so no worries...It can be done...Of course, if I was doing it for real, it would take longer that 10 minutes
Ciao!
Tim, it was your shot that so wowed me about a year ago that I started following the Central States Forum.....then I was wowed by the fine photography done on this forum, so last June my brother and I made a scouting trip up to the Buffalo National River and spent three wonderful days photographing. We are coming back this fall.
While in Boxley I attempted to duplicate Tim's wonderful image....the results were not as good by a long measure, but I did get a very passable image at sunset. Thanks all and thank you, again, Tim.
Joe Rogers
Vernon, Tx
I must warn you about the Buffalo River area though. I made my first trip up there in 2003 and usually find myself making a couple of trips there every year. I also regularly check the real estate listings and dream. It's a compelling place.
If you are coming this fall, you ought to consider joing us for the gathering later this month. Check out Bill Dark's post for details.
Glad to hear they will be moving it soon, I may get my classic shot after all. It is impressive that they can be so understanding.
I'm a little surprised at your comments about the historical register. My gallery building is in the Rogers historic downtown district and we had to "jump through hoops" to get our plans approved. Fortunately the building was trashed when we bought it so our updated retro look was a welcome improvement from the 1970 shake shingle monstrosity we purchased.
MERRY CHRISTMAS to you all!