I started in film production in 1972. Most of my early jobs were scouting and managing locations. So my self education in photography had to include the ability to convey the essence of a location in very few images and to find locations that could function as characters in their own right, as much as the actors. My personal photography evolved from this background, which included a lot of travel.
This has led to me shooting in all 50 states and 54 countries. In many cases I’ve chosen specific geographic and/or cultural regions to study visually.
In 2004, after working as the Unit Production Manager of M. Night Shyamalan’s “The Village,” I decided to take a vacation/photo journey to Quebec Province, especially the cities, towns, farms, landscapes, people and wildlife along the St. Lawrence River. Only having the most basic agenda, I followed my nose by car, foot and boat to explore the area. Quebec City and Montreal are amazing cities and the countryside is about as picturesque as it gets in North America.
I had recently purchased my first digital camera, a Nikon D100, so there was the added adventure of learning a new system on the fly.
All this led up to coming upon this scene. From the road, all I saw was the green building, which with its weathered color and texture was enough to stop me on a dime. When I walked around a bit to discover the wooden barn behind, I knew I had a special composition if I could find the right balance between all the elements, textures and directions.
What do you think are the TWO most impactful features that make your image a good photograph? Don’t be shy!
The very rigorous and traditional composition and the contrasting colors and textures.
If you would be able to make this photo once again, what would be the ONE thing you would like to do better or different?
As a first DSLR, the Nikon D100 was only 6 megapixels and not of the greatest quality. So I wish I had a bit more firepower. And also geotagging.
Mark Indig shared his photograph in the FRAMES Facebook Group.
Photographer
Mark Indig, Canada
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Equipment and Settings
Nikon D100
Tamron 28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 Di VC PZD
Shot at 117mm (35mm equivalent)
1/90 sec., f/4.9, ISO 200
Björn
May 11, 2020 at 14:17
I saw this image a couple of days ago. It struck me directly. It’s is so soothing and explosive in its simplicity. One that I can sit for hour and look at and not get tired of it.
Mark Indig
May 12, 2020 at 04:59
Appreciate your comment. I have it printed 30×40 in my house and never get tired of looking at it.
Jo H
May 17, 2020 at 13:35
It’s almost like a black in white photo inside a color photo. I love the greens and the textures. That’s what makes a great art photo when you hang it and love it, never tiring of it. Beautiful!
Tony S
June 7, 2020 at 13:16
It’s definitely a great image, one I wished I had taken. I can see what made you stop in your tracks. Gor me I would have reduced the amount of green with a square crop but that’s just personal choice. The textures are great.