Prairie Icons Photo

Photographer’s Note

Whilst driving through the prairies of Canada one can see these grain elevators rising up from the flat landscape. Slowly these old ones are being replaced by more modern ones, which I think is a pity, but one can still see some of these original ones with the name of the town they are in written on the side, like here in Sintaluta.
Sintaluta is a small town. The current population of Sintaluta is approximately 98 people. The town is located about 85km east of Regina. Sintaluta once was home to seven elevator companies, and has the distinction as being one of the top grain-producing areas in all of Canada. There are two remaining elevators in town today, and are in the hands of private owners, two of fewer than 350 original elevators that remain across the prairies today.
Another common sight along the road are these huge trucks transporting all sorts of things along the arteries of Canada, I think they are a vital source of transportation in Canada.
Anyway so I thought I would portray these two icons side by side.

Iso400

belido, ChrysK, holmertz, InasiaJones, PixelTerror, bostankorkulugu, bukitgolfb301, hispic, jonathan_hart, fadingstar78 has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

belido (16455) 2009-07-12 6:11

Hi Wanda,

very original composition. The way you framed these two elements and the soft lighting coming from the left make this a real plaseant seen. Great job!
Regards,
Carlos

Bartleby (4880) 2009-07-12 7:36

Hi Wanda,
nice catch. I like the justaposition of the truck and the old grain elevator. A beautiful light falls on both and makes the scene very eye-catching. I like it.

Best,

Philippe

holmertz (9636) 2009-07-12 8:00

Hello Wanda,
This is a stunning composition of the red truck facing the grain elevator. and the warm light and strong colours help to make it something special. The other red truck in the distance provide good depth. The only slight drawback are the wires. It would be tempting to eraze them through clone-stamping, but I am actually not too keen on that kind of distortion of reality.
Best wishes,
Gert

baba_flies (7985) 2009-07-12 9:36

Hello Wanda! Yes these elevators, I love them, and they belong to the prairies as much as the Matterhorn to Switzerland although I have never really touched the prairies like you did on your recent trip but a little while driving along the Rocky Mountain frontier from Montana to Calgery. Great the truck and how it enters your picture. Two icons, so much North America and how we want to see it, but actually they both exist, maybe with modernized elevators but still. Great shot ... Barbara.

InasiaJones (20229) 2009-07-12 11:56

Hello African Princess,

After a "fish-called-Wanda" in your previous shot, this is a red Van den Hogen... :-P)

Now, have a look at your image from Lake Louise and by comparing it to this one, observe how both of them share a similar composition! It's exactly the same spatial organization, with a central vanishing point and leading lines creating an X shape.

You might tell me that this one is much more dimensional, with this strong perspective, while the other one is more distant an have a frontal angle, but still, because of the reflection, they share an identical geometry and convergence.

So other than underlining this notable resemblance, my point is that your shots confirm the theory about photographers creating images that already exist in their mind, seeking shapes and structures that correspond with predetermined visual framework and perceptivity.

But then again, it's probably just a coincidence and the fact that you have uploaded these photos back-to back caught my attention...

While I was there with you, I didn't even see this truck as I was too much grabbed by the grain elevator, but you were clever enough to monitor the area and come out with something new, fresh and witty by combining two icons for the price of one.

The warm tones are very attractive with this end-of-the-day light and who can resist to such a fiery red...

As you are usually dragged by exotic destinations and engaged into more people shooting, I like to see what you have done in my country, adding landscapes, architecture and landmarks to your photographic repertoire... :-P)

Very interesting note! I didn't knew at that time why you wanted to meet the mayor and collect all these information, but now I know what you were doing with your writing pad and tape recorder... LOL!!!

Your partner in crime...

André

[workshop] [compare]

SteveH (3899) 2009-07-12 18:49

Hi Wanda, Great composition, creating a good feel of the region. technically good too, sharpness, exposure and colour all perfect. I wondered about cloning out the cables, but then thought that they contributed to the convergence of the lines. well done. Cheers, Steve

dareco (17104) 2009-07-12 22:29

My son owns a trucking company and has been able to see all of Canada and the United States because of his work. I think this is a very well thought out composition. An excellent pov, and awesome colors and detail. TFS

aadilj (17950) 2009-07-12 23:53

Hey wanda...you again disappeared!!! and now this vibrant and stunning work with such lovely colours and a nice urbane look to it with that huge red trcuk

PixelTerror (86088) 2009-07-13 1:29

Hi Wanda,
Ah you're back too I see !
I like your pov here to get the truck in opposition with the forward pointing lines, a very american scenery and this red truck was a real gift to balance the image and add plenty of color
Have a nice day JY

delkoo (34296) 2009-07-13 2:12

hi wanda,
this is absolutely great shot, full of light and colors. Excellent composition and perfect moment to capture such place and such scene.
regards

didier

bostankorkulugu (33536) 2009-07-13 5:36

i like that "X"... and the eye-catching red... beautiful shot i think wanda... best... korkut

dvlazar (6476) 2009-07-13 20:54

A real eye grabbing shot - the composition is very pleasing to look at. I like the strong colors youve got out of the truck. Nice exposure!
Dave

Flavia (10202) 2009-07-14 6:17

Hi Wanda,

I see you're back from your trip with great shots! Amazing composition, you really masterd the elements here and created a very interesting and rich compo! The red truck is very attractive and the way you placed it entering the road is great! Nice capture of Canadian icons, you really got the spirit!

Regards,

Flavia

patdeph (17846) 2009-07-16 10:21

helo Wanda
yo have done a great use of the different lines of this picture,converging to the same point,they give a interesting perspective!The red color of the truck is of course a strong element,and the evening ligt is vey beautiful!Very well seen!
Regards
Pascale

bukitgolfb301 (4616) 2009-07-16 12:17

Hello my dear Wanda

What a dynamic and color contarst shot !
Very vivid color (red and blue)and wide focus approach are very attractive.
Congratulation on your good job !
Thanks for sharing and best regards,
Takero

hispic (7399) 2009-07-20 20:36

Hi Wanda,
Red of the huge truck is very impressive, a warm lighting increases the beautiful red further. The composition that put the two icons side by side brings an interesting perspective to the image.
Regards, Hisashi

jonathan_hart (22576) 2009-07-27 12:55

excellent idea to shot these two icons side by side
it works very well,
appealing composition
the red truck and the warm light of sunset on the buildings
the truck is in a fine angle to help to provide a great sense of depth
jc

cherryripe (18973) 2009-09-02 13:34

Hi Wanda
This truck makes me smile as one day during our trip in the states, Toni and I decided to go truck hunting as they are so beautiful and cared for compared to European trucks. You've got great balance between the truck and the interesting silo and excellent depth. If I was in my integrist mood, I'd do a workshop changing it to yellow ;-)
Regards
Nikki

ManuMay (10810) 2009-09-10 22:57

Hi Wanda!!

Excellent composition thanks to your point of view and angle to shot, the way you have composed with the truck and building leads our eyes to the way including the main hits of this land in just one capture.

A very good colour and light management, and a wonderful play of colour tones...

Well seen and well done!

Have a nice day.

Best regards

Manuel

francio64 (11032) 2009-09-11 13:50

Ciao Wanda,
eccellente immagine dove la vista parziale del camion sulla destra del fotogramma, dà molta dinamicità alla scena.
Il suo colore rosso attira su di esso l'attenzione e la resa cromatica di tutto l'insieme è davvero eccellente.

Well done!
Francesco

speedymanu (1590) 2009-09-16 10:55

hello Wanda

icons indeed. Your interpretation is a fine flawless one, very eye catching and well composed.

Congrats

Emmanuel

fadingstar78 (402) 2009-12-01 4:03

Nice picture (I particularly like the bright red cutting through the picture) and interesting note.