PHOTOGRAPH INFO

I shot this last month on a trip into New York State. This cornfield was so wet and muddy the farmer couldn't run his equipment to clear the old corn, so he opted to burn it off. I was surprised to see the field on fire as I drove by that night, but even more surprised to realize there were no firetrucks standing by, which is usually the case during a controlled burn.

This was one of the most fun and frustrating things I've photographed. The corn burned so fast that it was almost impossible to manage any type of composition. I'd focus on a stalk, get one shot and the stalk was gone! No time to re-think or re-compose. But I have to say I enjoyed doing this like crazy.

My hair and clothes smelled like a popcorn factory after an hour out there, but at least I was nice and warm. :)

Post-processing: Shot with the Canon EOS 5D and the Canon 85mm f/1.2L lens at f/2.8, 1/100s, ISO 400. Curves adjustment for contrast, color balancing for tone.

Thank you for visiting Durham Township!

--Kathleen

p.s. Again, sorry to anyone who's tried to leave a comment in the last week and has had problems... I'm still experiencing server issues. If you have any recommendations for a good web hosting company please drop me a note.

This is such an interesting find. It was probably a little dangerous too without any firetrucks around. glad you stayed safe. You did a beautiful job regardless of the difficult conditions. Are the bright spots in the background from the fires?

I don't know too much about web hosting servers. I use GoDaddy, but I doubt if I use as much bandwidth as you do (if I understand how that works at least).

Laurie: Yes, the bright spots in the background are more rows of burning corn. There were roughly 100 acres on fire. Ironically, from a distance the burning field looked like twinkling city street lights.

I only burned my gloves a little. :)

Wow! A nice change of pace, but still unmistakably yours. Great shot!

Beautiful shot. I'm glad you described the background because I thought it was the twinkling lights of a city. :-) Good luck with your host problems.

Stupid dreamhost.

*** I like it so much..

After living in California where fire equals panic, moving to Idaho and seeing huge "crop clearing" fires and canal bank fires was quite a suprise. It replinishes the soil as well as clears the weeds.

But are you sure it's corn? Looks more like phyllostachys or maybe some undinarai.....after all it was dark and you were in a hurry.

P.S. I'll ask our IT guy for a server recomendation for you........and thank you sharing the story and the image.

Tena koe ehoa
A very opportune photographic moment and you've utilised the moment well. The drift of smoke is adds a dramatic visual impact. In what are ec=ver changing and difficult lighting conditions you have come out with a great composition.

Love the DOF and colouring in this, an interesting image kathleen.

Beautiful photos. Keep up the great work.

Just...WOW.

Looks myterious and even a little creepy! Great shot!