BAD PHOTOGRAPHERS

I was out shooting this week. First in awhile. I knew my target and got the shots, and spent the day reflecting on bad photographers. Not bad as in their photos are bad. Bad as in Bad Santa bad.

My shoot yesterday took me out to Spotsylvania County to photograph an old barn I've been admiring for a few years. In order to get the shot I wanted, I needed to trespass on the grounds of the fire station. So I went inside, asked if I could park in their lot and shoot from the grassy knoll of their back field. While talking with the gentleman in the station, he asked if I had permission from the land owner to shoot the property. Well, the property's in public view, so at that point I didn't need permission, as long as I wasn't on his land. I didn't need a property release because I have no plans of selling the photo for commercial use. Now, don't get me wrong; my brief discussion on this matter with the gentleman in the station was not this curt and we never talked about property releases or commercial use. That knowledge is for you, the reader, so you understand how all of this photography stuff works.

The gentleman in the station did provide me the name and phone number of the land owner, said he was a friend and there wouldn't be any problem getting permission. When I said I just wanted a shot of the barn from across the road and I wasn't going on the property, he understood and gave a deeper explanation of his inquiry.

A while back, some photographer decided he was going to tramp about in the barn and take pictures. Tramp about, mind you, without getting permission. What this photographer seems to have ignored is that the land is private property. Do a little research. Or better yet, knock on the door of the house by the barn. Duh?

(Don't ever assume anything because even public property, state owned property, etc., may require a permit or certain restrictions. For instance, you're not allowed to include the National Park Service logo in your photographs - bet you didn't know that. And railroad tracks - private property. So if you get run over by a train because you wanted that oh so awesome pic, don't expect much sympathy).

What caused further issue with the matter is that while the barn looks abandoned, there was a resident living on the property. Personally, my thoughts on this, don't ever assume. (I imagine someone walking out with a shotgun in hand, shooting first and asking questions later.)

I don't know why some photographers believe they have the right to shoot wherever they want just because they have a Nikon or Cannon or whatever in their hands. That camera doesn't make you "the press" (and even the press need a pass) or the eccentric artist or the commercial genius. And it certainly doesn't make you a professional. It makes you an obnoxious bore that give the rest of us a bad rap.

STEVENSON RIDGE - AN ARTIST'S VIEW

I've been neglecting the blog again. Sorry, my friends. It's that 80/20 thing which has now moved to a 99/1 thing.

But I did get out the other week and shoot, thanks to the wonderful folks at Stevenson Ridge; special thanks to Jennifer LaRock.

Simple. Serene. Idyllic. That was my morning at this beautiful lodge/bed and breakfast/inn. There are many words to describe Stevenson Ridge, but I'll stick with my three - simple, serene, idyllic.

Stevenson Ridge is an 87-acre historical property. On that property you'll see some of the best in historical building restoration, the guest houses actually - and my three descriptive words - unique, pristine, charming.

I stuck to the exterior of the property as these buildings, like most historical buildings, intrigued me. While I didn't capture all the properties (yeah, I forgot my map and missed a few), I did make my way around to several and it wasn't always the building itself that caught my attention, but the small details of the buildings that captured my eye.

At the backside of the lodge is where it happens. On my first visit to Stevenson Ridge, the pond centered on the property was so calming. I stood on the balcony of the lodge and took it in - the small dock, the benches, the trees, the oar sticking up out of the pond. I have no idea what story goes with the oar, but it catches my attention. Probably because I just know there has to be a story.

The morning of my shoot, I took it all in again, only this time I had marvelous morning light and beautiful reflections of the Riddick House shimmering off the surface of the pond. I can just see myself sitting on the deck overlooking the pond in the quiet morning sipping a cup of joe.

 

From the Riddick House, I made my way over to the Log Home. This place has a charm you wouldn't believe and that's only from the outside. The idea of dropping the camera and curling up in a rocker with a good book certainly crossed my mind that morning.

 

With the porch of the Log Home just calling out for relaxation, I have one question that continues to plaque my mind, even now - what's with the bathtub on the porch? Not so much the bathtub itself, that's just charm, but the can on a stick jutting out of the bathtub. Ah, yet another story of intrigue.

I moved onward. I think I found the Adrian Cabin next. This is another one of those charming porch features. The Adrian Cabin is a small cabin which reminds me that it should be in snow covered ground, so I'd have to think winter here, even in summer. The porch was decked out with this old crate and again, I was drawn into comfort and a good book, along with a tall glass of iced tea with a lemon floating on top, sweating on the table (of course, I'm back to summer). Irresistible.

From the cabin, I hiked over to the Servant's Quarters. The first thing I noticed here was the blue hurricane lamp hanging from the eaves over the door of the house. The Servant's Quarters is very basic, until you trek around to the back. A small deck invites you in. A green door with a porcelain handle beckons you toward the house. An outside bath house (shower) dares you to give up the comforts of home.

Last we come upon the Spy Hill House. A simple two-story cottage with a view of the pond. I liked the detail of the door on this building.

And by the pond, we find the boat, with one oar, which may explain the oar sticking out of the water.

 

On my adventure to Stevenson Ridge, I missed the Corn Crib and the Civil War House. I asked if I could come back in the fall to again capture the charm of this place, and when I'm out shooting the property with the leaves in full fall color, I will be sure to collect images of the two missing properties.