These were taken from a dike trail between two large marshes. In most places the reeds and cane were twice as tall as me. I had to find open spots before I could even see anything.
Black Skimmers were working but they were so fast and my visibility limited half the time so I just enjoyed watching them work.
Just Watching A Skimmer
At this opening I had company. A Tricolored Heron joined the audience.
There are no old houses in Charleston that allow photographic lighting, unless it is arranged in advance for a special occasion.
The last time I used any kind of flash was during the Charleston Jail shoot, and yes that was a special arrangement. (That shoot used Speedlights and Rogue Benders for snoot and soft box.).
The images here, the Manigault House, all used the natural ambient light. Good news is many of these old manors have huge windows.
Grand House, Ambient Light
Above, the curved stair case and chandelier caught all the outside sun. The photographs settings were based on the bright window so everything else was very dark. The crystal sparkles this way.
Grand House, Ambient Light
The next photograph, from a different angle, did not use the the big curved windows for light readings. The ceiling was bright enough to frame the stairs and crystal. Getting this was simply shooting many different images until a had one with balance. Using film that would be sloppy and wasteful. It’s digital and I had space for another 1,000 tries so who cares.
Grand House, Ambient Light
Every old house I visit always has statues on the window sills. Many are original to the homes and really beautiful. The Charleston elite, and plantation owners, collected expensive art works. During the Civil War many homes were looted for their wealth. Most owners hid what they could.
Grand House, Ambient Light
Shooting here is all about contrast and shadows. In the film days you would ‘dodge and burn’ prints in the dark room to get it right. Thanks to digital we sit at desks now.
Grand House, Ambient Light
Above there was actually two sets of light sources. Off to the right was the large bow windows, the door below brightened first floor. Another trial and error shot since the curved stairs on the left were always in the dark.
Grand House, Ambient Light
The last photograph here would have benefited from a graduated filter on the lens. The window light is too bright. I did apply a software filter, top to middle to help.
No high end gear was used here. The camera body was a Canon 70D, my smaller backup camera. It does have a nice touch screen for shoots like these. The negative being it does not do low light very well. In this environment it usually doesn’t matter much.
One lens was used in all the photographs published here. A Canon 18-135 ‘kit’ lens covers all the focal lengths needed. I did have a few prime lens but time is an issue and distance is always guess work. Besides someone walks with you through the homes and I tend to slip away… they eventually come looking for me.
Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Photoshop, and DxO Silver Efex were the software programs used here.
The Second Presbyterian Church in Charleston. Well, the spire over trees lining Elizabeth street.
The church was built at 342 Meeting St., Charleston, South Carolina at the then substantial cost of $100,000, and on April 3, 1811, it was dedicated as “The Second Presbyterian Church of Charleston and Its Suburbs.”
Church Spire In Charleston
“The church bell was given to the Confederacy in 1862 for use as cannon metal. Before the Civil War, the galleries were used by the church’s more than 200 black members. The sanctuary was renovated after a fire in 1959. Situated on one of the highest points in the city, the church appeared on mariners’ maps as “Flynn’s Church,” so called after the first pastor.” (Wikipedia)
Taken after the light had softened a bit. Out in the open here sunlight is harsh. Late afternoon, when most everything has gone of course, is the time for reflections.
