Fond Memory
South Carolina 2016
I tasted my first Coca Cola when I was 7 years old. World War II had ended and luxuries like chocolate candy and soft drinks were back on store shelves. That first coke was so peppery that I could hardly drink it, but I learned to love Co’Cola as we called it down south. I shot this machine advertising a Coca Cola for ten cents in an old textile mill that was phased out when that horrible Celanese knit fabric came in vogue in the 60’s.
I show you this photo as an example of finding something interesting in your ‘backyard’. I’ve always had trouble thinking of what to photograph at home. Yet, photographing at home is the best preparation for photographing somewhere special.
Practice looking around the edges of the viewfinder for distracting elements protruding into the frame. Learn to think about your settings before you begin shooting. Do you need more depth of field or a blurred background, a faster shutter speed, a higher ISO a different white balance? Notice the direction of the light source. Look for ‘hot spots’ and change your viewpoint to avoid them.
Another thing I like about this photo is that I could use Alien Skin Exposure X software to make it look “cartoony”. I can’t help it. I love that punchy look.