Junk Yard Dog Photo

Photographer’s Note

Recently, travelling back along the Hume Highwway at Bookham (Near Yass, NSW) I saw this junk yard which was in fact full of old relics from the past. Farm machinery, old truck and cars, including the old horse drawn cart which is partially seen in FG.

Why did I title this Junk Yard Dog? Well there were signs everywhere saying 'Entry Prohibited'. I tried a few vantage points but ended up having a series of guard dogs barking their heads off at me :( I don't know who became more cranky. Maybe me, maybe them (but I felt safe protected by the old wire fence).

I have some burn out in the top right corner from the sun. :(

WS posted in BW.

phwall, gunbud, macondo, jlbrthnn trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

phwall (5693) 2009-10-27 14:46

Hi Graham,
Interesting subject, isn't it amazing how people get into collecting stuff, in this case, Blitz wagons, steam powered machinery and from the looks of it all manner of rusted and decaying paraphernalia.
Good composition, and the POV through the wire works too.
The burn in the top right is more than acceptable. Again though, it's the overall flatness of the light that is taking the interest away from the image.
I'd love to go for a walk through the yard, without the dogs though.
Cheers
Peter

gunbud (28071) 2009-10-27 18:01

Hi Graham,
Must be a small fortune in these antiques of the early industrial age.
Nice texture to thie scene through the chain linked fence.
Regards, Tom

delpeoples (6497) 2009-10-27 18:42

Hi Graham, interesting composition. The old wood in the FG looks great as does the saturation of the green grass. I wish the "junk" was more noticable, but with several vicious puppies after you, I think you did well under the circs! I like the B&W version - probably in preference to the colour one. Nice spotting. Have a good day, Lisa.

ifege (1923) 2009-10-28 2:45

Hi Graham,
I'd hate to think how long that place has been there. I remember driving past it (when it was still on the highway) in the (and please believe this) when I live in Temora and Wagga in the 60s!!!
Nicely taken with the focused foreground and slightly and appropriately dishevelled background.
cheers
Ian

alftrek (2889) 2009-10-28 15:58

Hi graham,
You have spotted this interesting subject well, and I can understand your frustration of not being able to get any closer to those old relics. But I think the view through the chainlink mesh is not bad afterall.

Regards
Alfred

macondo (13211) 2009-11-01 0:44

Hi Graham.
Interesting shot, and quite bold too. The inclusion of the cyclone fence has a lot of suggestive power, to do with boundaries and so on. Really does look like a rural/industrial graveyard. That is one very decrepit cart you found there; looks as though it would fall apart if touched. I like your title - reminds me of the movie, 'Stand By Me'. If you are getting burnt skies try a Circular Polarising filter - cost, somewhere between $70 and $100, or even a graduated neutral density - Cokin vertically adjustable system is best - this photo is just perfect for that. But the CPL would probably be sufficient to deepen the blue of the sky if you take exposure reading from just below the horizon. Of course, b/w solves problem too! But you lose the rustiness of the machines and the fence, and that lovely green.
Regards,
Andrew

papera (5573) 2009-11-01 1:37

hi graham
I was reading macondo's note and I agree with him on the polarizer (it's a good investment, no matter what) - although I must say this image is perfect for b/w and not because you would salvage the sky: it has a kind of retro quality (yes, stand by me came to my mind, too...) that would benefit from a '30s/great depression PP... needless to say, I prefer the b/w version =)c.

jlbrthnn (38611) 2009-11-02 3:06

Hello Graham,
It is only of scrap, and yet these machines have an indefinable charm. Netting seems to contain their desire for being released and for being regarded and useful as formerly. Very an good idea, and a good realization. Cheer.
Have a nice day
Cordially
Joël