My last photograph from 2011

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

This faded American flag hangs on the fence around the backyard of a house on Geneva Street in a working class neighborhood on the west side of Fort Wayne. A newer flag hangs on the front of the house.

This was the last photograph that I made in 2011. I shot it around 5pm on December 31. Tri-X in D-76 1+1, 50mm tabbed Summicron.

 

[paulfish4570]

fine shot, Chris. that could have been made in many small towns across the country, which is what makes it special.

 

[zauhar]

Nice composition, and the stark contrast works well. Good note to end the year on.

Randy

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Thanks Paul & Randy. I see scenes like this all the time in the city I live in.

 

[gb hill]

Very good photo Chris. The tones you get keep amazing me. I developed my last roll for the year Dec. 31. Arista Premium 400 in D-76 @1+1 for 10 mins. Click on my blog to see them. Just wondering, how much do you think that a certain lens can play in the final look of a photo?

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Thanks Greg. Part of what gets me nice tonality is the light I shoot under. I'll wait weeks sometimes for the right light. I don't like bright sun, its too harsh here in Indiana (though out southwest, I got good results in sunny light). Your sunny shots on your blog are very good. I always have trouble with scenes like that.

Lenses definitely have an effect on tonality too. Some people on RFF have claimed that the differences in contrast are no big deal. "Just develop less with really contrasty lenses, or more with softer ones." Problem is that there's more to it than overall image contrast. Some lenses have very high microcontrast that gives a harsher look even with less developing.

An example: The 35mm version IV Summicron and the 35mm f2.8 C-Biogon. I have the Biogon now and used to have the summicron. The Biogon's tonal rendering is harsher. I like both lenses, but sometimes regret selling the summicron. Some things look better with it, some with the Biogon. Then there's things like Bokeh if you have out of focus backgrounds. So yeah, lenses make a difference. Not an earth shattering one, any good sharp lens can be made to give good tonality by the right exposure and developing and post-processing (or darkroom printing technique) but you cannot make them look the same.

35 Summicron Version IV

35mm C-Biogon


Similar light. My rendering of the C-Biogon photo is probably a little too contrasty but the tonality would still look a little harsher than the Summicron shot.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Here's one I shot in October. 50mm Summicron, Tri-X in D-76 1+1

This house in on Jefferson Boulevard in Fort Wayne's historic West Central Neighborhood. The "Saint Therese Pride" sign in the window refers to a Catholic School in Waynedale.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

This one is right down the street from the last one I posted. I photographed them on the same day, 10-30-11.