Carriage Hill Farm – Page 21

the color of history

Posted on June 5, 2011 by Tim McMurdo

You can be forgiven if these images are the way you think of life in the past. Black and white with lots of grey muted tones. When I convert images of the farm into black and white, I am often complimented on the conversion. Everybody seems to think that black and white or sepia are the perfect treatment for the historic topic.

In actuality, our ancestors enjoyed colors very much. Daily items from clothes and stone wear to farm equipment was often very colorful. Our thinking of history dressed in grey is only the result of old photographic methods and technology.

Visit your local heritage farm, living history village or museum and you will see spectacular colors being used for centuries. Our ancestors lived in color not black and white.

asters

Posted on June 5, 2011 by Tim McMurdo

This is one of those grab shots that pop out at you when you don't expect it. I was wandering around the farm today when I came upon these white Asters in the rose garden. I liked the white flowers that stood out in the sea of green.

Exposure	0.001 sec (1/2000)
Aperture	f/5.0
Focal Length	35 mm
ISO Speed	100

Flocked

Posted on June 4, 2011 by Tim McMurdo

For some unknown reason, sheep like to put their heads in a corner…en mass. I've asked a few people about this bizarre habit. Even the farmer has no answer as to why they act this way. On very hot day, they will often huddle in the sunniest corner and pant in the heat. After speaking with the farmer, I walked away with the opinion that sheep might not be the smartest critter on the farm. If you know why sheep do this, let me know. Even if you make up an answer that just sounds good, I will believe every word you say.

Exposure	0.008 sec (1/125)
Aperture	f/4.0
Focal Length	26 mm
ISO Speed	100

barn cat

Posted on June 3, 2011 by Tim McMurdo

I visited the riding center at Carriage Hill Farm for the first time today. The occasion was a senior portrait shoot for some friends at the farm. I'll post images from the shoot at another time (When I have processed them). Today I wanted to share a picture of one of the many cats living at the riding center. This long haired tabby was the prettiest and cleanest barn cat that I have ever seen. She/he ran right up and demanded that I scratch its ears. I then picked it up and loved on it. Not one complaint and it didn't want down until I put it down. That is what I would call a fine cat.

Exposure	0.02 sec (1/50)
Aperture	f/4.5
Focal Length	30 mm
ISO Speed	1250

awaiting seed

Posted on June 3, 2011 by Tim McMurdo

Lee, the assistant farmer at the farm is waiting for more seed corn so that he can continue planting. The horses of the plow team don't mind the unexpected break at all.

Exposure	0.004 sec (1/250)
Aperture	f/4.5
Focal Length	30 mm
ISO Speed	100

how my brain works

Posted on May 29, 2011 by Tim McMurdo

While at the farm on Friday, I noticed a Mennonite family visiting the farm. Being a typical outsider, I was amazed at how normal they were. The boys ran to the animals as fast as they could and climbed the fences. The family followed the same route around the farm as any other family. I thought, wow, inspite of our differences, we are all pretty much the same.

Then my evil side took over and I wondered what they saw in the farm. Wasn't it just like home? Farm animals and no electricity? I totally turned this family into a stereotype, even after thinking we were so similar. And then I realized there really were differences between us. They were polite and kind and I wasn't.

Somedays, I think my parents did not beat me enough as a kid.

good luck to go

Posted on May 27, 2011 by Tim McMurdo

Here is some good luck for your weekend. Around here, the sun is supposed to come out early afternoon and remain (mostly) through next week. If the sun stays more than two days, it will be our sunniest week this Spring.

I hope you have a grand weekend.

Exposure	0.025 sec (1/40)
Aperture	f/4.0
Focal Length	26 mm
ISO Speed	250

a quiet moment

Posted on May 26, 2011 by Tim McMurdo

This was one of those wonderful shots that just hit me in the face when I walked into the room. The subject, lighting and pose were all there for me to capture. I actually had to back out of the room a few steps to frame the image the way I wanted. I thought it would be important for the picture to place both her head and the stove pipe off center.

Exposure	0.025 sec (1/40)
Aperture	f/5.0
Focal Length	30 mm
ISO Speed	1600

I am really loving the new Sony a55 body. The low light capability and the ability to deliver high ISOs with very low amounts of noise is a real treat after shooting with the Oly E510 for so many years.

Thank you Mr. Sony. Ya done good.

all along the watchtower

Posted on May 25, 2011 by Tim McMurdo

Sarah, the resident barn cat at Carriage Hill Farm enjoys a quiet moment perched on the picket fence surrounding the vegetable garden. Sarah likes to roost up high on this fence. She feels safe. She can command the yard & survey her own private kingdom. She is at ease here.

The farm is made from these quiet, soft moments combined with a visual and physical contrast between this serene place and the tumult of our daily lives and this rat race we live in.

Do you have a tranquil place in your own life? A place where you can go to rest your mind and your heart?

ninja ewe

Posted on May 25, 2011 by Tim McMurdo

I know that right about now, all of you are wondering why I have posted a picture of tall green grass. I mean, what could be so special about a field of grass? Well, if you squint your eyes and tilt your head just a little to the right, you might be able to make out the outline of a sheep hiding in the grass. If you can't see the sheep at first, try shaking your head vigorously and then take another peek.

If you spot her, congratulations, you have seen Myra Whitsocks, the worlds first (and to my knowledge only) ninja sheep. Once you see her, don't take your eyes off of her or she might slink away and in pure ninja style, pounce on another unsuspecting member of the pasture community. Who knows, it could be you.

You just might find yourself walking along whistling to yourself when suddenly you hear her blood curdling war cry! Baaaaaa! Too late, she jumps out of the tall grass and tags you. Before you know what is happening, Myra disappears into the tall grass, leaving you bewildered.

So take a good look at the picture again my friends. You may never have this opportunity to see Myra, the ninja sheep again.