About the Image(s)
I grew up in Southern Indiana in little Bedford. Nearby was an even smaller town called Oolitic. Only the locals can pronounce it correctly! Population in 2023 was only 1,135 residents. But, Oolitic is famous for limestone...the most prominent use of which was to clad the Empire State Building back in the 1930's! They like to call themselves the "Limestone Capitol of the World". This image is more of personal nostalgic interest than perhaps photographic quality, but I present it to you this month nonetheless. My D300 was used to capture it in Infrared, and I'm pleased with how the abandoned, ageing structure displays using NIK Silver Efex Pro for the black and white conversion with a dash of sepia added. I straightened the image consistent with the building's edge closest to me. IR adds a nice touch to the weeds growing through the asphalt parking area in front of the school. It was closed years ago and consolidated, along with many other tiny community schools, into the Bedford North Lawrence School Corporation. It sits idle and unused. 18-70mm f3.5-4.5 lens, ISO 400, 1/125th second @ f11
Arik Gorban
Hi Gary. Nice work with the building. Infrared brings out details even in the architecture. I like your choice of light sepia. Most of my monochrome images are toned to be a bit warm. I'm not sure why there are a couple of tiny white spots on the dark building in the background. I don't see them on the original. Still, well done. Posted: 07/01/2025 13:18:34
Gary Potts
Thanks Arik, I'd no more opened the DD66 site this morning and perused all the images...only to see the white spots in the back building for the first time! Easily corrected, but not an error I'd usually make. Posted: 07/01/2025 13:29:50
Jack Florence Jr
As usual you've conveyed a nice sense of mood, Gary. This feels so old and melancholy. In addition to the sepia you have the late afternoon light, and the clouds; very nice. Posted: 07/02/2025 22:41:50
Gary Potts
Thanks, Jack! Posted: 07/28/2025 11:26:56
Emil Davidzuk
Gary
A little different structure submitted by you this month because of the personal link. Certainly a beautiful limestone edifice in its day and even now it looks great in sepia.
Thanks for its history.
Regards
Emil Posted: 07/04/2025 18:26:21
Gary Potts
I appreciate the feedback, Emil...thanks. Posted: 07/28/2025 11:26:18
Henry Heerschap
I love this, Gary. It's a beautiful building that really benefits from IR. My only suggestion is to undo the straightening. The keystoning on the left gives me the impression of the building leaning to the right. The counterbalancing angle in the original feels more natural to my eye, but that could just be me. Posted: 07/07/2025 16:03:31
Gary Potts
Thanks Henry...I'll try to go back to 'unstraighten' my perspective attempts! Posted: 07/28/2025 11:25:02
Melanie Hurwitz
Hi Gary, What grand old building with a personal history for you. I was also bothered by the straightening. I did try using Nik perspective on it to straighten the left side, but it did not look right at all. I think that Henry may be right when he says to undo the straightening? You pointed out that the lime stone is so beautiful. I believe that you would serve it better by backing off a little on the sepia tone you chose, maybe just on the building itself. It's certainly a worthy and meaningful image. Posted: 07/09/2025 19:29:49
Gary Potts
Thanks, Melanie...yes, I may go back and 'unstraighten' the building. Posted: 07/28/2025 11:24:19
Charles Walker
Gary, again, you have shared a story, not just an image, splendid as it is. I like how you used the encroaching weeds to help tell the story. Nicely rendered. A "breaking away" piece of history elegantly saved. Posted: 07/10/2025 14:08:29
Gary Potts
Thanks, Charles...not something I'd normally think about for IR, but it seems to add some visual impact. "Breaking Away" is just up the road a few miles in Bloomington! Posted: 07/28/2025 11:22:39
Steve Long
I think the sepia tone was a perfect addition to this image. Posted: 07/25/2025 12:39:50
Gary Potts
Thanks, Steve. Hope you're enjoying the group thus far. Posted: 07/28/2025 11:21:24
