Capital - Old Main, Penn State University

Capital - Old Main, Penn State University

This photo was shot one day while working on the main campus of Penn State University.

I had done a series of photographs a few days earlier featuring some of the interesting architectural details found on many of the older buildings on campus.

Unfortunately that day the lighting hadn't been right to make this photograph and in fact it took me two more days of trying before I was able to shoot under the hazy overcast skies necessary to bring out the textures and details in this photograph of a capital on the columns of the main administration building know as Old Main.

Shot with a Nikon D90 and 400mm lens.

Old Main Bell Tower

Old Main Bell Tower - Penn State University Main Campus

The Old Main bell tower is instantly recognizable by anyone who has attended or visited Penn State... and it is no doubt one of the most photographed sites on campus.

The challenge for any photographer is how to shoot it in a new and visually interesting way.

This photo was an experiment in trying to do just that.

While not for everyone... this photo was post-processed in Nikon CaptureNX using the "Levels and Curves" adjustment to vary the intensity, density and value of the original colors.

Purists, traditionalists and straight shooters will probably not care for the result or techniques used to get there... but there is no doubt that digital manipulation is a technique that is here to stay.  It's at least something worth experimenting with next time you're shooting the "Same Old".  The results could surprise you.