Interesting But Difficult Subjects

This 2006 photo was made when I first spotted this row of mailboxes.  Capturing it in a manner
that reflects how I think best represents it has long eluded me. (click to enlarge)
Nikon D200; 12-24mm f/2.8 lens @ 16mm (24mm FF); 1/90th sec. @ f/2.8; ISO 100

I don't think it is unusual for we photographers to be out and see subjects that beg for us to stop and photograph them.  Sometimes making a pleasing photograph of those subjects is relatively straightforward and we are satisfied with what we have created.  However, there are those subjects that are a real challenge to photograph well—or should I say make a photograph that reflects the reason we stopped in the first place or shows how the subject is best represented.  We like what we see but we can't seem to create a satisfying image that shows it as we think we want it shown.  This particular row of mailboxes has been one of those subjects for me.

I discovered this row of 68 mailboxes in 2006 while out wandering the countryside.  Immediately I knew I wanted to make some photographs of them.  I like things like repeating patterns and unusual sights.  It is not often I see a large number of mailboxes all together in a row.

An image from 2011. (click to enlarge)

I stopped and made a number of exposures but after looking at my images in Lightroom, I was largely unsatisfied with my efforts.  The photographs I had made just didn't capture the scene as I wanted it.  Really, I didn't even know what I wanted but I know I wanted to satisfactorily capture these mailboxes in a manner that did it justice.

A third variation from my initial visit in 2006. (click to enlarge)

After the first effort and when driving in that area, I stopped a few more times with no greater success.  I was still unsatisfied.  However, a couple of weeks ago I found myself driving by the mailboxes and, of course, I stopped once again.  This time, I seemed to have come closer to my goal—I think.  I'm still not sure what I'm trying to say (create, capture, represent, reflect...) or what the photograph should say, but I am more satisfied with my latest efforts than in the past.  Not completely satisfied but it seems I am getting closer.  I'll keep trying.  I'm not one to give up easily.

This one is from a 2011 stop. (click to enlarge)

This is from my last stop in April, 2022. (click to enlarge)

This image is a crop from a handheld focus stacked series of images, again, from April,
2022. (click to enlarge)

This representation is a closer crop of the above image. (click to enlarge)

Have any of you ever found a subject that has eluded your efforts to capture and say exactly what you want?  I would be interested in your story.

Join me over at my website, https://www.dennismook.com.  

Thanks for looking. Enjoy!  

Dennis A. Mook  

All content on this blog is © 2013-2022 Dennis A. Mook. All Rights Reserved. Feel free to point to this blog from your website with full attribution. Permission may be granted for commercial use. Please contact Mr. Mook to discuss permission to reproduce the blog posts and/or images.