Old Sturbridge Village (56K Warning)

[Scottes]

The foliage was great, the weather wasn't, and I couldn't find anything.

So I went tourist, and visited Old Sturbridge Village, a recreation of what an 1830's town in Massachusetts would have been like. It was pretty interesting, really. The buildings are either old (some *are* original buildings) or just look very old. Everything was made the old way, by hand tools and such, so it seems quite authentic to say the least.

And they still make things the old way. I watched them making apple cider in a huge press, a process that made me appreciate modern filtering and pastuerization. The blacksmith actually made a Hooked Piece Of Metal, but I am easily interested by such things. The cooper gave a demo of making a barrel, and believe me when I say that it wasn't an easy process! Ugh! Praise the heavens for cardboard, eh?


Their is no doubt that the buildings have an amazing amount of charm, looking/being so old. If I had been there on the correct fall day it would have been a truly beautiful place. Since today was not so imperfect, I implore you to stretch your imagination some.

Also, I'd love to see the place without tourists. They kept getting in my pictures. Grr!


The Grist Mill. I was truly bummed because the wheel wasn't turning.

http://www.itsanadventure.com/postimages/GristMill_53894.jpg


The Saw Mill. I missed the demo, but the place would have been full of tourists anyway.

http://www.itsanadventure.com/postimages/Sawmill_53916.jpg


The Blacksmith making his Hooked Piece Of Metal. And two pictures that show my new-found admiration for hand-holding a 105mm lens at f/2.8 ISO 1600. I actually don't believe that these two shots look this good, I'll have to admit. And at 1/13 shutter the hammer looks cool. I was hoping for sparks flying, but it really was a wimpy Hooked Piece Of Metal.

http://www.itsanadventure.com/postimages/Blacksmith_53925.jpg
http://www.itsanadventure.com/postimages/Blacksmith_53940.jpg

His Shop. I keep thinking that this picture should have turned out better.

http://www.itsanadventure.com/postimages/BlacksmithShop_53950.jpg


The Parson Meeting Hall, I think it was, in the center of the village. I wish that all the trees had looked like this.

http://www.itsanadventure.com/postimages/Barn_53967.jpg


The Cooper's workshop. This was probably the most picturesque image in the place, so add some extra imagination to this one.

http://www.itsanadventure.com/postimages/Coopers_53920.jpg

[PacAce]

Wow, Scott, great colors! The foliage colors are vibrant and really very pleasing to ny eyes. I also like the blacksmith shots very much. The almost monochromatic look really does a lot to set the "mood" of the picture. Very well done! :)

[PacAce]

BTW, did you say 105mm handheld at 1/13? Now I'm truly impressed. :shock:

[Ballen Photo]

Scottes, These are some impressive shots, especially the BlackSmith, at 1/13th sec? WOW!
I really enjoyed these shots.
-Bruce

[LazyPhotographer]

Just stunning.... gorgeous, colourful, and the Blacksmith looks right out of a PBS special. Fantastic job!

[thomascanty]

I absolutely love these shots, especially the first two. Fantastic job!

[Eastcoast]

Not a bird or Norm in sight! :lol: :lol:

These are really nice even tho you say there was nothing to shoot. :wink:

1/13 of a second :shock: . Steady hands!

[Tiger1]

:D Scott,

Nice subtle shots that project the changing season. Looks like you avoided the tourists - didn't see any :!:

Gene

[marie]

just beautiful
all of them

I especially love the pictures of the blacksmith
the warm tones are gorgeous
the other pictures are a real special treat too

wonderful 8)

[dtrayers]

I haven't been there in years, Scott. Nice shots.

I especially like the picture of the Cooper's workshop. The last time at Sturbridge I was fascinated by the cooper's process and spent over an hour there. My wife and kids had to drag me out.

[JZaun]

Exellent Scottes, What lens did you use on the outsice ones? we have a place like that 60 miles from here (Williamsburg) all done the old way :)

JZ

[Scottes]

I'm glad you all liked these. I'd love to go back on a better (blue sky, more foliage) day. Next year...

PacAce: Yeah, 1/13 on 8 or 9 shots, of which 5 are actually usable. I realize now that I must have looked odd, as I was doing my best to scrunch myself into a ball and brace every part of my body against anything available. Since I'm not a small guy I have a hard time scrunching, and I was bracing against some odd items...

Bruce: Thanks. I think the Blacksmith shots are my favorites. And I've always sworn that I'd never take shots of people. Go figure.

Lazy: "PBS Special." !! That's what's been gnawing at the edge of my memory! It's the hat, isn't it? ROFL.

Thomas: Thanks. The grist mill was awesome in it's surrounding, but the people and overcast didn't allow me to really show it off. It's a wonderful building with tons of character.

Eastcoast: Actually, there was a little house sparrow inside the grist mill getting crumbs and ignoring the humans. But it was *so* dark inside, and he ended up flying out after the second flash shot.


Gene: Thanks. Avoiding the tourists wasn't too bad since it was a lousy day. But only once did one of them stop to allow me to shoot. But most of the time I didn't have to wait for more than a minute to get a clean shot.

Marie: Thanks. I also like the tone of the snithie - almost looks like it's lit by the fire.

Dave: The cooper fascinated me too. What an amazing amount of work to go through to make a barrel. It was fascinating.

Jerry: The shots were all a mix of lenses; either the 50mm f/1.8 (rarely) or the 18-55mm kit (usually) and I think that the cooper's shed was the only one with the 105mm macro. I really should have brought the 70-200 in but didn't feel like lugging it around. And Williamsburg would be perfect for this sort of stuff! Yes! And you should have some perfect foliage down there, *and* you get to go on a weekday. I'd love to get down there...

[ssim]

Amazing shots Scott. Those of the blacksmith ae simply fantastic.

:D :D :D

[Molydood]

the blacksmith ones are fantastic! I love the colours.

105mm 1/13 :shock:
I did some 1/15 @ 70mm on sunday and I had to lean on something to get them sharp...

[CyberDyneSystems]

These are very nice :)

It's great to see you aen't missing out on the Fall Colors Scott.. and waht a great Idea to head to a classic New England village 8)

I notice from these photos that Strubridge has more birds than Cape May :roll: :wink:

[Scottes]

...and waht a great Idea to head to a classic New England village

Idea? Yeah, I drove past it on the way home, and it finally clicked on the third sign. :)


I notice from these photos that Strubridge has more birds than Cape May :roll: :wink:

Are you still whining about Cape May?? :roll: I did manage about a dozen posts here. Sure we didn't get the thousands we wanted, but we got some.

[JMAS]

Scott,
I like them all. Great colors. 8)
The 2nd and 3rd are my favorites.
On the second I think it works better for me beacuase you managed to fill the frame with many interesting points leaving out any empty areas, without "crowding" the photo.


Jaime

[IanD]

Really great images. The smith shots are my favotire. How you can hold anything for 1/13th with the amount of coffee you drink is totally amazing :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[RI Xterra]

awesome pics...It's been a while since I've visited there...

[stoneylonesome]

Yup I love that place. Photo ops everywhere you turn

http://www.bytephoto.com/photopost/data/500/574horseteam.jpg?1303

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Fantastic shots. Scott, Have you ever been to Shelburne Museum just South of Burlington, VT
http://www.shelburnemuseum.org/ very similar to Sturbridge

[Ballen Photo]

Yup I love that place. Photo ops everywhere you turn


Nice wagon for hauling the tourists around in. :D
This looks like a place I'd like to see someday.
-Bruce

[Scottes]

Nice shot Sandy. I missed these guys all 3 times they drove by.


Shelburne Museum? Darn - I drove by this place 4 times in the last 3 weeks and never had an idea. It will go on my list for the next time I'm up there.

BTW, if you do get up in that area again, VINS is right in Queechee. They have a place there for raptor rehabilitation. It's worth a visit.
http://www.vinsweb.org/quechee/index.html

[stoneylonesome]

BTW, if you do get up in that area again, VINS is right in Queechee. They have a place there for raptor rehabilitation. It's worth a visit.
http://www.vinsweb.org/quechee/index.html

I've been meaning to get over there, it's on the top of my todo list. :lol:
next time in VT. thanks for the reminder.

You'll love Shelburne