Weathered Truck

Photo and article by:
Ken "Max" Parks, Photographer/Writer Examiner.com

Johns Creek - Last year, the image "Weathered Truck" was exhibited and won a local photography award.

"I found this old truck in the middle of a stripped out corn field on my way to Cleveland, GA. I had to get a few photos of it."

Ken determined the best time to shoot this scene was on an early Sunday morning.

"It was an interesting shoot as the dark clouds appeared with a ray of sunlight, I must have taken over 150 photos and then made my selection.

Ken has become quite adept in the use of Photoshop CS5, a professional post-production application and used the software to enhance the dark clouds and allow the ray of sunshine to be a bit more noticeable.

Post-production has been key in Ken's artistic talents. Recently, he shot a Bridal Model session. One of the models complained, "I'm 40-years old and I'm thinking about getting out of the business. The younger girls are getting the jobs and I can't compete against that."

Ken reassured her, "You look fantastic! Heck, Cheryl Tiegs is over 60-years old and is still modeling. I tell you what... I'll make you look like you're 25-years old."

After the session, Ken sent her only his 2 best shots. Natalie replied, "Ken, these are fantastic photos. You have wonderful talent."

There were 3 other bridal models at the session. One of the models had tattoos on her fingers. Ken used Photoshop CS5 to get rid of the tattoos. "I don't understand why someone so attractive would submit themselves to adding a permanent etching on their skin. For me, as a photographer, this is a turnoff, a major distraction."

Other photographers, not as keen as Ken when it comes to post-production, allowed the tattoos to be shown.

The "Weathered Truck" image, when first introduced to other photographers, their reaction was "WOW!" This is the exclamation that Ken tries to get from those who view his artistic images.

"My Dad" and first photography mentor always told me, 'You never show your average to good work, but only your best.' And, I've always kept his advice as a standard."

Ken admits, "That has been the case in all of my photography sessions. I may shoot over 500 images and only a handful will make it to post-production selection. Then only one to three would be submitted for viewing. 'Weathered Truck' was the only image of the 150 I shot on an early Sunday morning that was worthy to be shown."