Photo Notes: “That Groundbreaking Sun”
. . . . . . . . . That Groundbreaking Sun
The events are silhouetted by the morning sun as the unfold.
Standing at the podium, Gov. Tim Kaine addresses those gathered during the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Western State Hospital in Staunton on Monday, Nov. 29, 2009.
On 66 acres adjacent to the current location, the new facility is expected to be completed in the spring of 2013.
When I first arrived to cover this event and took in the scene, I instantly saw the largest obstacle — the sun.
The way those setting up the event had laid everything out, the podium and those speaking with be looking to a sunlit crowd while many of those in attendance would be looking not just at those speaking … but into the sun.
From my vantage point, the challenges of the assignment rose slightly on the hardness scale as now to get the photos I wanted, I would have to be mindful of lighting, over or under exposure, lens flares, shadows and more.
However, it did not take long for me to figure out some of the best angles (generally from either side) as well as the fact that I could go artistic and use the back-lit setting to my benefit.
– Mike Tripp, photojournalist
** “PHOTO NOTES” takes you behind the lens of the camera as the photographer offers a behind the scenes glimpse from inside the shoes of a photojournalist as well as offers the rare chance to hear some of his thoughts in the process.
