This old barn is near and dear to my heart. It was the barn of my first riding instructor, Maggie. I took my first lessons there over 40 years ago. Maggie left her family's old dairy farm, on which the horse barn was built, 30 years ago, and has never returned. As far as I know, the barn has been empty for over 20 years, yet, the horse poops still remain. As soon as I saw the challenge title, I knew that I had to use this old barn.
I probably took over 50 images in various places in and around the building, but I like this one the best. The sun was setting in the west, and I was able to get the right spot so that the sun shown through the door, and provided enough natural lighting through the main area to show the old gates and the old waterer. The viewers eyes are immediately attracted to the door on the right, and the move leftward to the gate and over to the open windows on the left.
The photo was taken on the 9th of April. No flash. All lighting was natural, via the sunset through the door and windows. I used Photoshop to open the image in Lab mode. Post-processing, I slightly adjusted lighting by using the histograms. Using the lightness channel, I used the Unsharp Mask feature to sharpen detail on the gate and ground. Then used Photo Filter to put a warm (sepia) look to it, and put a touch of my warm memories along with it, to submit it to the challenge.
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You may as well cropped the light flare off the side of this image since it adds nothing to it and detracts from the overall. One of the better sepia type treatments I have seen in this challenge.
I like the lighting and feel of this photograph. The sunlight is a bit too harsh coming in through the doorway and windows, but overall an interesting picture.
The lighting on the gate is wonderful. And I love the tones you've chosen for the photo. I think it might have been a stronger presentation if it had been cropped closer on the sides. The blown out lights keep my eyes going back and forth instead of focusing on the wonderful gate and boards in the barn. Hope this feedback is helpful :)
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