My Corner of New Hanover
Barn at Bethesda Church
Posted by Russ Devan (New Hanover, United States) on 2 October 2008 in People & Portrait and Portfolio.
Bethesda Church is a restored church that is part of Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site. This small barn is located beside the church and probably was once used as a horse stable a very long time ago.
What caught my eye in the barn were the rows of posts and beams that seemed to create a frame around Betsy, who was photographed in available light. I also like the contrast of her dress against the dark, weathered wood.
This pose conjures up one of my favorite ZZ Top songs.
Click here to view Betsy's interpretation of this image.
"The Master in the art of living makes little distinction between his work and his play, his labor and his leisure, his mind and his body, his education and his recreation, his love and his religion. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence in whatever he does, leaving others to decide whether he is working or playing. To him he is always doing both."
- Zen Buddhist Text
Judy from Brooksville-Florida,, United States
Excellent shot, Russ, but Betsy's "dreamy" version wins my vote today. *smile*
2 Oct 2008 11:49am
Viewfinder from Bradenton, United States
I don't know the ZZ Top song you're thinking of, but the photo is good. I like Betsy's pose and the colors again, as opposed to the more muted variation. And I like the placement of her hands. What I wish is that one knee-high cross beam in front of Betsy were not there. I think it is distracting, but maybe that's just me.
2 Oct 2008 11:51am
@Viewfinder: Thank you for your comments and critiques. I always find everyone's comments (positive or negative) to be invaluably helpful.
I was drawn to this location not only for the barn and the dark, natural wood (which would contrast greatly with the white dress and make Betsy stand out), but also because of the posts and beams. Standing at the far end of the barn, I initially saw a repetitive pattern (which I am drawn to frequently) created by the posts and beams in the barn, but I later elected to crop out all but one set to put more focus on the subject. I wanted to achieve two things by including them in the composition: (1) create a "picture within a picture" and use them to frame Betsy, and (2) give more identity to the location as a barn/stable, hence the environmental portraiture aspect of the composition. I think by not including them at all, it is simply a portrait against a wooden wall. And the ZZ Top tune? "Legs".
Mary from Exton, United States
Nice Shot Russ. Its hard for me to decide today, as I like them both for different reasons!
But I know Betsy gets an Aplus for her modeling skills.
2 Oct 2008 12:26pm
Betsy Barron from Glenmoore, United States
RD - great shot! I like your cropping.. makes me as the subject stand out better.. thanks for your great eye!
2 Oct 2008 2:26pm
JJ from Jersey City, United States
I know exactly which zz Top song your thinking of :) wonderful composition and lighting in this, again they are both beautifully processed, but I will give betsys one the slight edge today as it has a nice mysterious feel to it
2 Oct 2008 7:34pm
Laurie from New Jersey, United States
I prefer this version. I think it works really well for the surroundings. Very nice.
3 Oct 2008 7:09pm
Nikon D200
2 seconds
F/8.0
ISO 100
75 mm