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Construction Documentary

These photos were taken at the home/office building of Scott A. in Manchester. Scott bought this empty mill building and is converting it for home and business use. He considers the project about halfway complete, so I offered to take photographs of the building in its current condition. I arrived on February 19, 2009 with my D700 camera, my SB-600 flash, and my 14-24mm, 24-70mm, and 90mm lenses. Scott has a mix of incandescent and fluorescent fixtures, but I only had my CTO gel.
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  • Temporary master bedroom. The actual master bedroom space is adjacent on the right side of this room. It is not yet furnished as construction work continues there.

    Temporary master bedroom. The actual master bedroom space is adjacent on the right side of this room. It is not yet furnished as construction work continues there.

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  • This room was a challenge for flash use. Three of the walls have mirrors or reflective glass, which show where the flash was being pointed.

    This room was a challenge for flash use. Three of the walls have mirrors or reflective glass, which show where the flash was being pointed.

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  • I didn't realize that the lamp has a fluorescent bulb in it. The flash is actually gelled for incandescent, which is why the framed photo over the lamp is so green. This can be easily fixed in a reshoot—either swap out the bulb or gel the flash for fluorescent.

    I didn't realize that the lamp has a fluorescent bulb in it. The flash is actually gelled for incandescent, which is why the framed photo over the lamp is so green. This can be easily fixed in a reshoot—either swap out the bulb or gel the flash for fluorescent.

  • Oops...I forgot photography rule #1...don't insinuate yourself in the photos. That is my coat draped over the office chair. Sheesh!

    Oops...I forgot photography rule #1...don't insinuate yourself in the photos. That is my coat draped over the office chair. Sheesh!

  • There was once a wall here, as evidenced by the dark line of lath at top center and the differing height of ceiling trim.

    There was once a wall here, as evidenced by the dark line of lath at top center and the differing height of ceiling trim.

  • With a cloak of steam added to this stall, some great candid photography awaits...

    With a cloak of steam added to this stall, some great candid photography awaits...

  • This is an HDR image which was intended to both preserve detail of the light fixture and the color of the sink cabinet. I made a mistake though, can you see it? Hint: Notice the two-tone color of the sink cabinet. I forgot to turn off the office lamp behind me!

    This is an HDR image which was intended to both preserve detail of the light fixture and the color of the sink cabinet. I made a mistake though, can you see it? Hint: Notice the two-tone color of the sink cabinet. I forgot to turn off the office lamp behind me!

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  • Scott's cat is named Rocky. Scott put him down at the base of the stairs so that I could capture him coming up. The light is coming from the flash which is perched on an electrical wire just below the beam (near the bright spot). The fluorescent bulb nearby is not lit.

    Scott's cat is named Rocky. Scott put him down at the base of the stairs so that I could capture him coming up. The light is coming from the flash which is perched on an electrical wire just below the beam (near the bright spot). The fluorescent bulb nearby is not lit.

  • Rocky really loves posing for the camera and is not put off by the sound of the flash recharging. Here I'm using my built-in flash at the lowest possible setting, using it to trigger the external flash downstairs. The external flash did not fire, so the stairway remained dark. This was an accident, but I liked the multiple colors in this shot, despite the ugly shadow of the lens.

    Rocky really loves posing for the camera and is not put off by the sound of the flash recharging. Here I'm using my built-in flash at the lowest possible setting, using it to trigger the external flash downstairs. The external flash did not fire, so the stairway remained dark. This was an accident, but I liked the multiple colors in this shot, despite the ugly shadow of the lens.

  • This is a pantry at the top of the stairs and just beyond the kitchen. Once again, I failed to realize that my camera bag was in the shot. Bad!

    This is a pantry at the top of the stairs and just beyond the kitchen. Once again, I failed to realize that my camera bag was in the shot. Bad!

  • The kitchen. In my later shots I would remove the wire across the floor; it shouldn't be in this shot either.

    The kitchen. In my later shots I would remove the wire across the floor; it shouldn't be in this shot either.

  • An HDR shot of the kitchen. This was my photo of the day for this day. Click on the link for details on how I set up and processed this shot.

    An HDR shot of the kitchen. This was my photo of the day for this day. Click on the link for details on how I set up and processed this shot.

  • Scott asked to be included in some of the kitchen shots. I was happy to oblige, and tried a few things. Here, Scott is in the soft bokeh of the image. I bet that this would work better if he was busy doing something over there rather than posing. Unless of course the message is, "a watched pot never boils."

    Scott asked to be included in some of the kitchen shots. I was happy to oblige, and tried a few things. Here, Scott is in the soft bokeh of the image. I bet that this would work better if he was busy doing something over there rather than posing. Unless of course the message is, "a watched pot never boils."

  • Same as before except now the focus is on Scott. This is a crop. Luckily I will realize that Scott and the teapot are aligned too much.

    Same as before except now the focus is on Scott. This is a crop. Luckily I will realize that Scott and the teapot are aligned too much.

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  • Now trying the portrait with some softer light. But not too soft, as the shadow on the cabinet shows.

    Now trying the portrait with some softer light. But not too soft, as the shadow on the cabinet shows.

  • Some driftwood that Scott found and transported himself is draped over this future 6-foot tall lazy Susan which looks remarkably like an Orgasmatron from the movie Sleeper.

    Some driftwood that Scott found and transported himself is draped over this future 6-foot tall lazy Susan which looks remarkably like an Orgasmatron from the movie Sleeper.

  • I could shoot here for days and not exhaust the photographic potential of this space.

    I could shoot here for days and not exhaust the photographic potential of this space.

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  • Where current construction and living space meet in harmony.

    Where current construction and living space meet in harmony.

  • Tile-looking mats atop tiles in the kitchen provide a place for things to crash from the counter without damaging the floor.

    Tile-looking mats atop tiles in the kitchen provide a place for things to crash from the counter without damaging the floor.

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