Some of my best times as a kid include barns. Horses, tack rooms, hay and other horsey stuff emit an ambience like no other. Fast forward to today In Michigan, I continue to relish seeing and photographing these long standing structures.
Barns from across the ages and colors line country roads. They stand stoic through time and the elements.
Barns tell stories. They take you home. And, if walking down memory lane, they stir old memories. Well, that’s especially true if your childhood holds memories of games, hay tosses, building forts and hiding in the hay.
It’s also true if the hours of brushing and caring for your horse, cleaning the stalls and hanging in the tack room feel like yesterday. Conversely, who can forget the time you were taken behind the barn (aka “woodshed” ) when in trouble?
Back to the present, we’ll share tips on bringing these beauties from the past to current images in our portfolio.
Tips for Photographing Barns Across the Ages
Tip 1: Start with the ‘One’ Theory
Typically, I start with the “one’ theory. What is the one thing that makes it unique? There’s tons of old farm structures out there. What makes this one special?
In the image above above, I can’t even count the number of times I’ve driven past this barn. Those black doors always stand out against the bold red. Yet, I never felt the moment. Then, one evening the skies cascaded a wardrobe of color that tied everything together. The black doors really pop with the red.
However, the one thing in the image above? Capturing the color pallet.
Here’s a few books dedicated to barns and barn life that show other artists views.
Tip 2: Take Your Time: Barns are Patient
If we shoot a ton of sunrises and sunsets, time is of the essence. When photographing these historic gems, take your time! They’re not going anywhere. The light may be, but not the barn.
Some barns are like wine, they get better with age and time. Especially when you savor what it has to offer. If your subjects are close by, you’re in luck as you’ll return across the seasons and changing light. If it’s a drive by and u-turn moment, then it’s back to Tip #1 and the amount of time to spare.
Tip 3: Demonstrate Depth
After finding the ‘one’ point of interest, how will you complete the image? Just like any building, they fall flat fast when it’s a 2 dimensional view only. Angles that show depth, or the 3-D view are much more impactful. Are there other elements to give depth? A set of trees, rolling hills in the backdrop? Or, is there another way to communicate a sense of scale?
In the red barn image with the big metal roof above, the 3-D view shares size, depth and scale with the position of the vintage mobile home in the background.
Tip 4: Post Processing – Crank Up the Barn’s Details
Texture. Clarity. Contrast. When post processing people, flowers, babies – we go lightly on these sliders in post. With barns? Let’s crank it up. Wood grain, peeling paint, shimmery metal roofs. All of the textures and character of the barns come to life when we post process specific, unique features.
And of course there’s harnessing light. When light shifts quickly, bracketing exposures gives you more to choose from and the option of HDR. Exposure Bracketing is Beautiful offers quick tips to manage shifting light conditions.
What stories will you share in your next barn image? Will you convey a lively, fun place to roam? Or, will there be a sense of haunting mystery? With many barns, artists apply multiple techniques to share multiple visions of one image.
For photography tips: Our Photo Tips Section
