Keith Parris
July 2024 - Northeast Texas Pumpjack
About the Image(s)
Pumpjacks are a common sight in northeast Texas. Many pumpjacks are fenced or too far off from paved public roads to be easily seen and photographed. I pulled off of the pavement; walked a few steps from my vehicle, and photographed this pumpjack over a low barbed wire fence handheld.
Camera: Nikon Z7
Lens: Nikkor Z 24-200 mm f/4-6.3 VR
ISO: 200
Aperture: f/22
Shutter Speed: 1/100 second
Focal Length: 140 mm
Photograph made on Thursday, 20 June 2024.
This round’s discussion is now closed!
10 comments posted
Hi Keith. That is a nice subject for a photograph. The rust has a lot of texture and color. The exposure brings out the sky nicely. Judging by the base of the pumpjack, it looks like the image slants a bit to the left. That item that looks like a cylinder (a can?) attached to a short pole at the left end of the pumpjack is a bit distracting because it is so bright. My suggestion is to either remove it or add a color to it so it isn;t so bright. Posted: 07/08/2024 14:11:32
I think the base appears to tilt because of the my vantage point outside of the fence. I elected to make the rod that goes into the well vertical; I try to be careful NOT to trespass. The cylinder is probably an electrical switch box that contains an ON-OFF switch for the electric motor that operates this pumpjack. It looks like a red and blue X on the motor. The dodge & burn tool will probably darken the cylinder (electrical switch box) so that it is not as distracting. Posted: 07/27/2024 22:27:04
This photo is nicely done and tells a story. I would consider a tighter crop and remove the white sign. Posted: 07/08/2024 14:30:46
I considered a tighter crop, but I wanted to show enough of the surrounding area to document where the pumpjack is located. Also, a tighter crop made the pumpjack look overwhelming to me. If this photograph was for a operation and maintenance manual, I would have cropped extremely tightly on the pumpjack so that leader lines and labels for each part of the pumpjack could be added. I retired from a career as a technical writer in the electronics industry. Posted: 07/27/2024 22:36:38
A Very nice colorful image. I like the detail showing in the pump. Posted: 07/21/2024 15:27:30
Thank you. I will be watching for other pumpjacks and oil field equipment to photograph. Unfortunately, nearly all of it is too far from public roads, hidden behind trees or bushes, enclosed in chain-link fence, etc. Posted: 07/27/2024 22:40:58
Susan Lurie
Hi Keith - I wouldn't have thought of a pumpjack as a subject, but I like the image. Besides, as you mentioned, it's a common item on the landscape. It deserves recognition. There is a somewhat stark feeling to the image which is nicely softened by the clouds and blue sky. Suggestions that might improve it would be to level it, as has already been suggested, and to crop out the dead tree on the left to balance the right and left space on either side of the jack. Posted: 07/21/2024 18:39:31
The dead tree doesn't look so good. However, I did not want to crop the coil of hose or cable the probably used with the pumpjack. I might be able to erase it, but that should not be done in documentary photography. I was born in Houston and saw the oil refineries southeast of Houston. I grew up in East Texas and saw the oil derricks and other oil field equipment. One of my father's first cousins worked in positions from roughneck to foreman in the East Texas oil fields during his 44-year career. Therefore, the oil production equipment fascinates me. My wife and I retired to Tyler in East Texas. Posted: 07/27/2024 22:53:15
I really like the photo the oil rig was captured perfect. Posted: 07/21/2024 20:45:51
Thank you. I am thinking about printing, matting, and framing this photograph; however, I might not find the time and energy to do so. Posted: 07/27/2024 22:55:33