Off to start ploughing

[Donald]

As I've written elsewhere, I had a photographer's pass for the Scottish Ploughing Championship that has been taking place this weekend. This is one from this morning.

There are lots of classes, from horses and vintage tractors up to the modern monsters with huge reversible ploughs on the back.

This was an early morning one as competitors were getting into position for the start of the day. Don't think I've ever done a silhouette before. Your views are always welcome.

EDIT - Unfortunately, Flickr seems to have put halos in that are not there on my own copies. Very annoying.


40D, 70-200mm f/4L IS @ 200mm. ISO400. 1/3000@f5.6.

[Shadowman]

Nice composition.

[tbob]

I suspect some people dislike silhouettes. I am not one of them. Especially this sort of thing. There must be some artistic term for this sort of thing; where the it is almost an abstract due to the minimalist effect. The swirling clouds absolutely make this.

[Suzan J]

Hello Donald: I'm looking forward to more of your ploughing competition photos. I really like the subject here, especially all of the detail in the gizmo that is being towed. The spokes and the "prong-like" extensions give it an almost delicate appearance. That tractor looks like a vintage one to me. It has the same shape as my husband's 1953 Ford.

[Mike Buckley]

I sure do like the sky, simplicity and composition. I'm not used to reviewing silhouettes, so take that into account when I mention that I'm a little caught off-guard that the man and equipment are in silhouette and the land isn't.

[Nicks Pics]

Good attempt Donald. I think that works. It will be fun to see if you post any more from the plowing (or ploughing ) show.

[wilgk]

Perfect subject for a silhouette in that he's on the brow of the hill, but not only that the old tractor with the 'gaps' in its build which let some light through, stop it from being 1 big black blob. So I really like your silhouette with the twist.

[allenlennon]

Donald, this i a fantastic image! From the composition, to the editing is just so great!

[Donald]

... the man and equipment are in silhouette and the land isn't.

Yep, I looked at that and wondered. At the end of the day I went for the option of holding on to a little detail in the land rather than put it to total black. Thought (Hoped) that the glint of light on the blades of the plough would 'connect' the land and machinery through them not being in silhouette, but showing a bit of reflected light.

[Bobobird]

Excellent as usual.

[mugge]

Donald, great use high ISO. Great atmosphere. Good use of black and white.
Ole

[Donald]

Donald, great use high ISO.

On my dear old Canon 40D, this is indeed high ISO, whereas on the likes of the new 7DMkII (which I lust after), 400 ISO is just getting off the starting blocks.

But this weekend was really, really dull and I never got below 400 ISO. In fact I even went to 800 ISO, but with the 40D you really have to get the exposure right so that you don't get drowned in noise. Good test in getting it right at the stage of capture.

[Donald]

A bit like getting EXIF data, I just got information through on the subject of this image:-

"Douglas Stewart from New Deer with his McCormick Deering W4 tractor and Ransomes Midtrac No.5 trailed plough who came second in the trailing class."

Am grateful to the competition organisers for this.

[bnnrcn]

Very nice

[marlunn]

excellent handling of a strong image. Its one of those images that is equally - start of day, work to do, or, time to go home, job done. Its only that you stated it was early moring that defines it.

[mknittle]

Very nice Donald. It works well for me.