, Route 1, Logan, Kansas 67646
Photographing tractors is an art which requires time and
practice. Anyone can take snapshots, but preparing a thorough
informative photographic essay of a tractor is not an easy, casual
project. It requires careful thought and attention to details.
Failure to do this results in pictures which hide more features of
the tractor than they should.
I have found that it takes a minimum of 11 pictures to
illustrate the basic features of a tractor. They are as
follows:
One through eight: These are distant, profile shots of the
tractor. They will show the general features, but lack much of the
details of the construction of the tractor. A picture of the top is
useful but usually not possible.
Nine and ten: Close up shots of the motor. More than two may be
needed to adequately show all the details. Close up shot of
operator’s platform and controls ends with number eleven.
The following additional hints will improve the details in your
pictures. If you are using an adjustable camera and light meter,
take the light reading from the area with the least light. It is
better to have a background that is too light instead of dark
shadows which hide many of the details of the tractor.
Always get as close as possible when taking the picture. Loss of
detail increases rapidly as distance from the tractor increases.
However, getting too close may cut off too much of the object and
make it unrecognizable in the picture.
Remove any signs, weeds, people, etc., that are between the
tractor and you. These always appear quite insignificant in the
camera view-finder, but hide much in the photograph.
Do not let any shadows, especially your own, fall on the
tractor. Shadows don’t appear serious in the view-fider, but
they really spoil the finished picture. Usually they hide the very
feature you are taking the picture of.
Do not be afraid to take additional close-ups of interesting
features of the tractor, particularly if it is an unusual feature.
This applies to controls, control linkages, motors, etc.
If you aren’t sure your picture will show what you want it
to show, then take another, preferably from a different angle.
(This may be of interest to quite a lot of you folks, but
remember, when you send us the pictures, do not send us all 11
pictures. Pick out the best one-that way we know which you prefer
and can give other folks a chance to get their photos in too-
Thanks-Anna Mae).
