Storm Clouds over Main Street – Smithville, Texas

For people in Central Texas, you might be interested in going to the Texas Photo Festival this Sunday, October 13, 2013. It takes place in downtown Smithville, a small town about an hour east of Austin. Here is more information, if you are interested.

I’ve been there 3 times so far and it is pleasant way to spend an afternoon, especially if you like photography. It’s geared towards amateurs though there’s always the enthusiasts that bring out their big guns. There are many sets with staged Photo Ops and models to shoot. There are also seminars and tours of the town. Do you know two Hollywood movies were filmed in Smithville? “Hope Floats” and “Tree of Life”. It’s a bit like a small town carnival but with rides replaced by sets and photographers.

Gabby at the 2009 Texas Photo Festival – Smithvile, Texas

Celesta Harvey at the 2010 Texas Photo Festival – Smithvile, Texas

In addition to the official sets, there is the town itself. Smithville has some neat old buildings and I’ve enjoyed going there just to capture the small town architecture. Here are an assortment of images that I’ve taken over the years. People, buildings and details. A great way to train the eye and learn to see. I’ve shot with Canon DSLRs and Olympus Pens. I’ve done straight portraits with long lenses as well as HDRs on tripod.

Rusted Interior – Smithville, Texas

Mobil Station – Smithville, Texas

Rusted Eye – Smithville, Texas

I find it interesting to rediscover the cameras I used during each of my visits to the festival. My first one in 2009, I brought my Canon Rebel XT and Canon 20D. In 2010, I used my Canon 7D. I skipped a year and went back last year where I used my Olympus E-P3 with the Panasonic Leica 25mm f1.4. My ancient HDRs were shot on the modest 8MP Rebel XT with the 18-55mm kit zoom. As always, hover over the photographs with mouse to see what camera and lens I used.

I haven’t decided if I’m going this year. I’ve covered the event from different perspectives, with different cameras and different techniques. I’ll have to find something that will entice me to get out there again for the 4th time. I always seem to have new cameras which does change, somewhat, what and how I shoot. But, the equipment is ultimately a secondary consideration. The most important thing, of course, is the ideas and creativity behind the image.

Forcing myself to see new things in the same place has both challenged and improved my photography, I believe. Perhaps then, I should go again for some mental (photography) exercise.

Old Lamp with Character – Smithville, Texas

Mossy Curb – Smithville, Texas

Candy Red Pickup with Flag – Smithville, Texas