Destination cornersville
About two weeks ago, I added a new camera to my kit. It arrived while I was in the middle of shooting a weekend-long event, so between the event, processing and curating images, and my day job, I haven't had much time to put it through its paces.
Why a new camera?
Almost a year ago, I added a larger-format camera to my kit, and it quickly became my workhorse—the camera I use for client and commercial work. As much as I love it, I've found myself missing something smaller. I wanted an everyday-carry camera that was light, discreet, and could make use of the little, fast prime lenses I already have.
Street photography was the biggest reason. My workhorse is a great camera, but it's hard to be inconspicuous with it. My new camera is actually eight years old, so I should say new to me. It's considerably smaller and lighter, with a tilting screen and EVF that make it much better suited for shooting discreetly on the street.
I could have taken it into the city this weekend, but I wasn't in the mood for the hustle and bustle. Instead, I decided to take the long way around and spend some time in God's Country.
I opened Google Maps and eventually settled on Cornersville, Tennessee. While researching the town, I came across a photograph of an old country store that caught my attention. That sealed the deal.
Along the way, I stopped whenever something caught my eye.
The skies were overcast, and the light was far from what many photographers would consider ideal. But I love photographing in this kind of light. There is something about its softness and muted character that creates a mood all its own. For old barns, weathered buildings, country roads, and forgotten places, that subdued light seems almost fitting.
It doesn't necessarily make the scene prettier. Instead, it gives it atmosphere—a feeling of endurance, age, and nostalgia.
Sometimes, photography isn't about finding the prettiest light. Sometimes it's about seeing beauty and character in the light that's already there.
I hope you enjoy the images from the new camera.
I'll be hitting the streets of Nashville soon, so stay tuned for my first batch of street mages with my new kit.
