Workshop heaven

One enjoyable aspect of my photography course is being given the opportunity to photograph people and places not normally accessible to the general public.

Recently, I was able to access a workshop which is being closed down before developers move in. It was an amazing place, piled from floor to ceiling with every piece of equipment, memorabilia and junk imaginable. Not only did this make it difficult to walk around the place, but positioning a tripod became a logistical nightmare.

It's not easy to capture such a scenario on the camera, simply because there is so much 'stuff' available to picture. The lighting can also pose its own problems. This workshop was half lit by fluorescent lights and half by daylight streaming in through the large front doors. The photo above was shot in an area entirely lit by the artificial lighting, so white balance was not a problem in this case.



I tried to stick to basics to get interesting shots. The picture I have posted has made use of the rule of thirds, so that both the black and white photo of a steam engine and the large 'works entrance' sign are at the intersection of thirds.

The workshop would be heaven for any steam railway buff. The walls are covered in railway signage and name plates from locomotives. It was a fascinating place, but sadly it will soon be no more.