Boo!

Posted by Laurie (New Jersey, United States) on 31 October 2008 in Abstract & Conceptual and Portfolio.

Boo!!!

Happy Halloween!

It's creepy in the moonlight. Enter if you dare. Go ahead...you know you want to!

OK I confess this wasn't actually shot in the moonlight. It was shot in broad daylight. When I was doing the black and white adjustments for the image at one point the sky went to nearly all black and I thought, wow that almost looks like it was shot during a bright full moon. So I went with it.

This is actually a house I know quite well. It breaks my heart to see it in such a state. When I was a child I ran in it's halls while my Uncle would jokingly (I think) stomp is feet and say gruffly that children should be seen and not heard. Meanwhile my Aunt spoiled me with little trinkets and treasures.

It was actually a grand old farmhouse. To me it was magical with all the antiques and wonderful treasures in every elegant room, and its grand staircase and fireplaces. To a small child it was larger than life. I was especially fond of this giant calliope music box that was very much like this one. It played tunes from these large metal disks that were stored in the bottom of the case. I don't know what happened to it.

Years before my Aunt died, not long after my uncle passed, she had turned the huge property over to the Hunterdon County Park System with survivorship rights so she could finish out her days there. She did not want to see this beautiful open space developed with McMansions and strip malls. The park is called Hoffman Park and I visit there regularly.

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Comments (49)

jamesy from christchurch, New Zealand

Fabulous shot Laurie perfect for Halloween. They say you should never go back and sometimes I think that they are right. The fisheye has given this a perfect shape.

31 Oct 2008 7:25am

@jamesy: Thanks.

It is a beautiful park though so I will always go back. I've heard that the house is supposed to be restored. There were signs that restoration had begun.

Craig from Vacaville, California, United States

I second what Jamesy says. You fooled me. I thought it was shot in moon light! Very well done Laurie!

31 Oct 2008 7:37am

@Craig: Thanks.

dobbino from Cape Town, South Africa

Perfect use of your fisheye lens! This does look eerie - great shot. Happy Halloween to you too.

31 Oct 2008 8:05am

@dobbino: Thanks.

Marie from Dauphiné, France

Perfect for halloween. I like it !

31 Oct 2008 8:31am

@Marie: Thanks.

Sergei Z from Turi, Estonia

WOW, it's scary.... Nice shot and I like your story with this shot.

31 Oct 2008 9:25am

@Sergei Z: Thanks.

Russ Devan from New Hanover, United States

I thought I recognized this house! That shutter on the right looked very familiar. I like what you did with the processing. It does look like it was shot during a full moon. Very spooky and very appropriate for Halloween. Nicely done, Laurie.

31 Oct 2008 10:34am

@Russ Devan: Thanks. That happened so accidentally when I was adjusting the black and white tones. I was really excited to see it when the sky turned so inky black. I did a little dodging and burning to enhance the "moonlight" look and added a slight Orton effect to give it that moonlit glow. Way more processing than I am used to doing but I was thinking Halloween the whole time I worked on it.

GJC from Kyoto, Japan

Super shot. I really like the feel. And the story is sadly too familiar. Thanks for sharing.

31 Oct 2008 10:56am

@GJC: Thanks...on the up side the house is supposed to get renovated and there were some signs that renovations were under way.

Monique from Koh Samui, Thailand

I'd rather stay outside ... you've made a really creepy with the post processing ... great job!

31 Oct 2008 11:22am

@Monique: Thanks.

Giovanni from Milan, Italy

BBBRRReautiful b&w and ssssscary wide angle shot! Happy Halloween!

31 Oct 2008 11:24am

@Giovanni: Thanks.

MadScientist from Düsseldorf, Germany

A fine Halloween shot and an amazing story. Hoffman Park seems to be a fine place for recreation.

31 Oct 2008 12:03pm

@MadScientist: Thanks. It is lovely and I make several trips there each season. It has been a pretty common subject on my blogs over the years.

Francesc B. from région parisienne, France

Yes !!! good effect for Halloween... the wide angle works well here, and B&W too.
Happy Halloween, Laurie !

31 Oct 2008 12:15pm

@Francesc B.: Thanks.

Observing from West Cheshire, United Kingdom

Creepy and scary indeed..... I'll pass. Happy Halloween

31 Oct 2008 12:17pm

@Observing: Thanks.

JJ from Jersey City, United States

your processing fooled me also it looked like a moonlight shot to me, a wonderful post for halloween, and your description makes me feel sad to see it run down

31 Oct 2008 12:35pm

@JJ: Thanks. It is supposedly going to be renovated and there were some signs that renovations had indeed started so hopefully next time I go I will see more progress, if I can get close enough that is. ;-)

marc from granby, Canada

creepy all right and a interesting play of shadow and light .......
happy halloween Laurie

31 Oct 2008 1:12pm

@marc: Thanks.

Morgane from Laroque Timbaut, 47, France

I have shivers of them! played well for this day of halloween

31 Oct 2008 1:14pm

@Morgane: Thanks.

Daryl from Amagasaki, Japan

Oh, freaky!

31 Oct 2008 1:27pm

@Daryl: Thanks.

Barbara from Florida, United States

Outstanding Laurie, and after I read your commentary I found the image even more remarkable.
That it was caputred in daylight, the process you used really turned this into a haunting place.
But I adore your story about running the grand halls, the stairway and about your Aunt and Uncle.
I like the memory of things being larger than life as a child, how wonderful children see things.
It is wonderful that you can have these memories. I really enjoy this.
Happy Halloween to you too, and I can almost hear that beautiful music box.

31 Oct 2008 1:56pm

@Barbara: Thanks...I'm glad this post touched you the way it did me when I wrote it. :-)

Rags from Plano, United States

I agree that it is sad what happened to the house. I love the image and indeed it has a spooky look and feel to it.

31 Oct 2008 2:40pm

@Rags: Thanks...It is sad but there were signs that renovations had begun.

rem_la from Villiers, France

une atmosphere de circonstance pour halloween !!

31 Oct 2008 4:43pm

@rem_la: Thanks.

Alun Lambert from cheshire, United Kingdom

A creepy looking place, cool shot

31 Oct 2008 4:57pm

@Alun Lambert: Thanks.

Jasp from Plymouth, United Kingdom

It must be a trick then :-) but a treat as well. I'm not going there after dark.

31 Oct 2008 7:07pm

@Jasp: Thanks.

MontereyJohn from Salinas, California, United States

Boo to you!

That house criesout for restoration.

31 Oct 2008 7:45pm

@MontereyJohn: Thanks. There were indications that renovations were being done so hopefully...

Elisa from Massachusetts, United States

Happy Halloween Laurie!! a perfect shot for today!! I really like it!

31 Oct 2008 7:53pm

@Elisa: Thanks.

Zygène from France

Une atmosphère vraiment de toute beauté, j’adore.

31 Oct 2008 8:21pm

@Zygène: Thanks.

Rabbit from Richmond, United States

That is so FAB what happend to the sky - wow. And from this angle the house does look spooky. Its nice to hear tho at one time it was filled with laughter and love.

31 Oct 2008 9:39pm

@Rabbit: Thanks.

Paco Díaz from Palma de Mallorca, Spain

The wide angle adds a lot to the effect of this splendid image for halloween. Very good b/n.

31 Oct 2008 11:10pm

@Paco Díaz: Thanks.

akarui from Kagoshima, Japan

Happy halloween. The right atmosphere with this picture...

1 Nov 2008 2:47am

@akarui: Thanks.

Jeffster from Long Island, United States

Truly spectacular b&w image. The history makes it even more fascinating.

1 Nov 2008 3:49am

@Jeffster: Thanks.

Michael Rawluk from Prince George, Canada

Very nicely shot. I love the warp and the processing.

1 Nov 2008 5:08am

@Michael Rawluk: Thanks.

Suzanne Cummings from Huntington Bch, United States

Great shot...perfect for Halloween. I also liked your story about the house.

1 Nov 2008 6:28am

@Suzanne Cummings: Thanks.

Siam from Chaingrai, Thailand

Félicitation pour cette prise de vue en Noir et blanc, ensemble harmonieux des gris, qui donne une belle atmosphère de cette maison

1 Nov 2008 6:38am

@Siam: Thanks.

djedfre from schaumburg, United States

nice processing - great story/memories!

1 Nov 2008 6:38am

@djedfre: Thanks.

Zing from Hamilton, New Zealand

Awesome shot, very moody, nice tones!

1 Nov 2008 7:31am

@Zing: Thanks.

One from Açores, Portugal

Very beautiful, shooting with wide angles gives the picture a worrying aspect.

1 Nov 2008 7:53am

@One: Thanks.

Calusarus from St Sorlin en Valloire, France

A fearing house. And the lens distorsion adds to this feeling.

1 Nov 2008 7:56am

@Calusarus: Thanks.

Saeed from Tehran, Iran

This is Professional shot . . . Well done . . .

1 Nov 2008 8:03am

@Saeed: Thanks.

Ana Lúcia from Leiria, Portugal

Terrific image.

1 Nov 2008 9:09am

@Ana Lúcia: Thanks.

Ronnie 2¢ from London, United Kingdom

It must, indeed, sadden you to see this fine old house in such disrepair . . especially with those fond memories of yesteryear. I often find it is the little things - like the music played, the odd words spoken - that are the strongest memories. Convincing moonlight !

1 Nov 2008 9:23am

@Ronnie 2¢: Thanks. The news is not all bad though. There were signs that the house and property are indeed being renovated. So it will be interesting to see what happens in the coming months.

bluechameleon from Vancouver, Canada

This image is captivating! Had to give it a <3 at VFXY.
Cheers!

1 Nov 2008 2:06pm

@bluechameleon: Thanks so much!

Jose Antonio from Barcelona, Spain

Una historia enternecedora. El misterio que encierran este tipo de casas es increible en especial para la mente de un niño. Por suerte este tipo de recuerdos perduran toda la vida, nunca se borran.

1 Nov 2008 4:19pm

@Jose Antonio: Thanks.

Viewfinder from Bradenton, United States

Fabulous photo, and a really poignant story.

1 Nov 2008 11:28pm

peter from new york, United States

laurie thank you very much for sharing this photo and the accompanying story. really a great capture here and even more poignant knowing a bit of the history. keep the great shots coming : )

1 Nov 2008 11:38pm

Magda from Vancouver, Canada

Fantastic image! The story behind it is so precious.... Keep those memories alive!

2 Nov 2008 7:06am

Sri Harsha from Melbourne, Australia

Interesting perspective. Well done Laurie. There is something moving (and spooky) about this shot.

2 Nov 2008 8:14am

dominik from Paris, France

L'oeil de boeuf (oeilleton) d'une porte d'entrée..... Il vaut mieux regarder avant d'ouvrir la porte... Magnifique anamorphose en N&B....

2 Nov 2008 4:22pm

Doum from Saint-Alexandre d'Iberville, Canada

Surprenant! Antique houses are source of many graphical shot. I'm really like framing, treatment and story about this photo. Thank.

5 Nov 2008 1:43pm

danthro from Suburbia, United States

great halloween photo... you know, you're starting to make me want a fish-eye lens, when i get a chance i'm going to have to learn how to make a fake fish eye look in photoshop :)

7 Nov 2008 11:12pm

ankush vimawala from springfield, United States

beautiful!

8 Nov 2008 11:20pm

bisha from Saitama, Japan

Ohh, nice effect! Great Halloween image! It is sad that it has been allowed to deteriorate, especially since it holds so many wonderful memories for you. Thanks for sharing the story behind it.

9 Nov 2008 7:34am

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Nikon D200
1/250 second
F/11.0
ISO 200
11 mm