Mike Patterson
August 2026 - Do Not Enter
Original
About the Image(s)
I captured this image of a prickly pear covered door in a small town north of Big Bend National Park in Texas. I believe I used a Canon 7D and shot at 35 mm at ISO400, f/11 at 1/320 second. Processed in Lightroom. I was struck how the cactus has completely overtaken the front of this old adobe house. I can't imagine how hard it would be to hack your way through that mess, and probably contend with a rattlesnake or two in the process.
7 comments posted
Great shot of the old building but the door is obscured. It would be a job to clear the cacti. It looks a little hazy to me and it's too bad that antenna isn't gone. I would have added a new sky on this one to round out the image. A good find. Posted: 08/05/2026 19:50:06
Another story-telling image and yes, a good find. I totally agree with Al. All the sprigs need to stay, but the sky and a curves and dehaze treatment would probably help. Posted: 08/11/2026 18:15:55
Yes, I agree that the antenna seems out of place. Given today's technology, I wonder if this suggests about how long ago somebody lived there. As long as there's even a part of the door visible, I guess it qualifies. I think that a brightening (especially of the cacti) and adding contrast overall would improve the look and bring out the texture. Posted: 08/15/2026 01:53:45
The antenna appears to be one of the early 60s, so I feel that it can be part of the story and it suggests the approximate time of people living there. Posted: 08/15/2026 21:04:56
A good point, but you could argue that given how long ago this house was built even the antenna is too recent. Posted: 08/16/2026 21:36:52
This image feels sad and lonely to me. I think it needs some color - some blue in the sky and a lighter green in the cacti. It also might be interesting converted to a monochrome pencil sketch style such as you can do in Topaz and other programs - maybe even Photoshop? I like your title!
Posted: 08/16/2026 16:19:57
Posted: 08/16/2026 16:19:57
At first I thought of a sky replacement but I like the gloomy sky as it adds to the somber mood of this image. Good capture of the building. Posted: 08/16/2026 17:33:48