The Ryman in Nashville

The Ryman, being not so photogenic, is typically shot from this angle. I used PC on this. Had I stayed with the wide angle shot with all the distortion, the building would look even larger than it is.

What is PC? It is perspective or proportional control. Before digital, it was either done with a PC Lens that would offset the angle of the lens to film plane or it was done in the lab by offsetting the angle of enlarger. Now it can be done on the computer.

It is commonly used by photographers who shoot for architects to give a more realistic representation of the building.



Windows on the north side of the Ryman are a trow back to stained glass windows of the 1950's.

In contrast, here is the new visitor center in Nashville. It appears they were trying very hard to get away from PC even in their design. "Let's build something that changes shape, creates a new reality, with every change of angle."

Sunset on the Tennessee

A bridge now crosses the Tennessee River where the Colbert Ferry gave rides nearly 200 years ago.

Tobacco Barn

The shadows on the barn caught my eye. I muted the color somewhat and worked a little with the contrast.

The Natchez Trace Parkway has not been in continual use since it was first changed into a "highway" from what was just a well warn path. It had been replaced by canals, riverboats, railroads and other highways. But, it did have its place in history in the development of the lands and the economy of several peoples. As late as the 1950's, some of this land was privately owned and this particular tobaco barn was new then and on the property of a farmer. Now the Trace is opened from Nashville to Natchez - 444 miles long.

Part of the old trace can be seen just behind the barn and was actually still in use as a graveled lane for a mile or so from this point running northeast. This is one section where the traveler can get off the highway and drive on the old trail, much like it was a couple hundred years ago. I think it is cool - pot holes, ruts, and all.

More stops along the Trace

I left Clarksville on Sunday around noon, and I wanted to reach Tupelo by the evening. There I would spend the evening and arive in Amory on Monday morning. As I left the Parks family in Clarksville, Mona mentioned how much she liked photographic prints of waterfalls, nature scenes, and wildlife. Because they graciously had me in their home, I had in mind then to search for a print or create a new photograph for them. Now I am very happy to have found one that I think will please them. It will be a vertical panorama of one of the falls I stopped to see that same afternoon.

I traveled straight south following Tennesse State Routes 48, then 46, and then 7 until I found an entrance to the Natchez Trace Parkway near Santa Fe, Tennessee.

Below are a representation of several of the images that I created from scenes along the way. We will have to wait until I get home for me to work with it in photoshop. These are are not tweeked - but I think some may enjoy seeing them.

It is not hard for me to imagine folks traveling through here just 200 years ago. This is old road bed which sunk a little more every time a traveler past through. Paths are created when the soil is compacted by beast, man, or wagon. Here a rut was formed about 7 feet wide and about 2 feet deep. It is a remnant of what once was, not so very long ago.

Five "joe" photos...

...worth 5,000 words.

Photos to be published in LIMITED PRINTS

LIMITED PRINTS
by Paul Farrier

Note: If you desire to take advantage of the links, please do so by right clicking on them and selecting "Open in New Tab" or "Open in New Window". That way, you will not be directed away from this site.

I am in the process of selecting some of my best images for publishing in a book. When I select an image I make changes and adjustments to make unique and more interesting. I offer single, one of a kind, prints through my store at http://www.photosamericana.photoreflect.com/. If you like, please visit my store to view others I have selected to be published.

When the book is published, anyone who has purchased a print will be listed in the book as the owner along side the image in the book along with the description.

Here are some that I just added to the collection.


Inspired by some incredible artistic work by John Agnew, I took advantage of a nature walk through a Cypress Swamp that is conveniently located along the Natchez Trace in Mississippi. I also photographed some wildlife while there. You can see those photos from earlier postings to this blog.



This is a panoramic image created by stitching 4 photos together. I would suggest that this be printed to 24 - 30 inches long to get the full effect and still maintain excellent quality.


More cypress knees. I boosted the color and the sharpness of this photo, and did a couple of things with the certain colors to attract the eye.


Also, while in historic Vicksburg, Mississippi, I had just a little time to create some images. Although this building is not typical, it does represent a richness in the culture through some of its architecture. Although the colors in this image were also very attractive - producing a black & white print makes it more dramatic and suitable for framing and hanging on any wall.

I'll be returning to Vicksburg soon and hope to take in more of the sites while conducting business in nearby Jackson, Mississippi.

Paul Farrier © 2009

Vicksburg, Mississippi

I got a chance to capture a few images while in Vicksburg - but a local got my attention. He wanted to tell me the history of his life in Vicksburg. He said, 'Hey buddy, have you got a dime? Do you have a dime for a cup of coffee?"

"I don't havd a dime, but I've got some time to hear your story."

From my few photos you might think I thought the doors were interesting. Apparenlty, that is the case.

Old Dixie Hwy - 25W

From Jelico to La Follette

The photo above is a panorama - 4 photos stitched together.

I first traveled this highway in a Olds Cutless in the Spring of 1968 on a trip to Ft. Lauderdale from our home in Dayton. This is the road many took because the highway that now runs the ridge 600 feet above was not yet open for traffic.

Step back and admire your work...

A panoramic image is not just a photo done in "letter box" - it is more than that.

One could use a wide angle lens but to get this much in there would have to be a lot of distortion. Or, one could get further away from the subject and then crop out the top and the foreground - but that severely limits the size of the print when enlarging. But in order for me to back up on this one, I would have to leave the trail and as I moved back, more trees that were behind me would then be in front of me.

I want to get a wide view and the only way to do that is by taking four photos from left to right with the manual settings on the camera so my aperture and shutter speed stay constant. Lapping each picture by one third over the previous, I can use a photo merge program that will "stitch" the photos together.

Swamps are extremely photogenic. I've never got so many good photos from such a small location. Only about 10 acres of the swamp were accessible. It's located along the Natchez Trace Parkway in Mississippi.

So - if you want to step back and admire the view - try creating a panorama.

Cypress Swamp

Shots from the Cypress Swamp along the Natchez Trace.

Natchez Trace

Here are some shots of the Natchez Trace Parkway and the Old Natchez Trace used until about a 100 years ago.