Telling Stories, a photo from Oregon, West

Photographer's Note

To get to the Painted Hills you need to pitch your tent in the little town of Mitchell. It is a very small place lost in the Oregonian high desert and was once the drain for the logging companies operating in the Strawberry Mountains. Those times are long gone and the little town fights against being forgotten. One TE member even posted a shot here with the title of “Ghost Town”. That is certainly exaggerated, although certain part of the town really gives that impression.

The heart of the town is in front of the only gas station, the Oregon Hotel (where we stayed for 3 nights), the Little Pine Cafe (where we had our ‘healthy’ and greasy dinners) and Wheeler County Trading Co. Groceries. That is the place where you will meet Mitchell’s people. Those are strong, tough, experienced, versatile people … people that have for example a black bear named Henry as their pet as Hugh does. Have you ever met someone that has a black bear as a pet and wrestles with it? In Mitchell you will! By the way, he is also the gas station owner, the Oregon Hotel owner and who knows what else.

You will see characters of all type in the heart of Mitchell … and you also will see the mercurial type of guy that knows it all and saw it all and tries to sell you all type of stories such as having fished the biggest fish ever out of the John Day River. A fish that measured 12 feet and weight more than 350 pounds and while he tells you the story he smirks and gives you that face – WE got another tourist and TE member to believe in this fairy tell.

Yeap, that is Mr. Story-Teller standing in front of his old truck at the gas station! :-)))

Technical Data:
Nikon D200
2008/04/26 15:31:24.1
RAW (12-bit)
Lens: VR 70-200mm F/2.8 G
Focal Length: 70mm
Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority
Metering Mode: Multi-Pattern
1/320 sec - F/4
Sensitivity: ISO 100
Image Comment: 2008 © P. Böhringer
Long Exposure NR: Off
High ISO NR: Off

avene, robob, zmey, marion44, Floydian, Wandering_Dan, Cretense, Glint, belido, Clairedelune, zeca, jjcordier, Wanda1, ktanska, paura, Dyerco, dareco, Philippe, lucasgalodoido, gunbud, trekks, MayaG, pasternak, Rodrigues, rigoletto, skippy007, Emile, robertosalguero, ryno, abulafia, nwoehnl, fulvio52, jusninasirun ha puntuado esta nota como útil.

Critiques | Translate

robob (3648) 2008-05-06 8:53

Hello Peter,
Cet homme à vraiment une figure très sympathique avec ce très joli sourire,
Excellent cadrage et très bon choix du B&W,
Amicalement,
Robert

avene (12675) 2008-05-06 8:55

hi Peter,
a picture-perfect smile you got there from this mischevious story teller, love the shot :)) we met a similar charecter in Ecuador - Mike - who, depending on the day we talked to him, was either former arms seller to Black Panthers or drummer with Rolling Stones (he DID have a drum, I know this because his appartment was next to the hotel room we were staying...)
B&W works perfectly here, the colours would be distractive, and I guess the light might have been pretty harsh. superb work, my compliments!

with best regards,
Kristine

marion44 (9) 2008-05-06 9:01

Hi Peter,
This is just soooo greeeeaaat !!! The very funny story you told us and the photo going with :) I love them !!! This man-with-a-cap, leaning in his old 4 wheels in your BW way look so american to me (I mean like in a kind of old fashion movie :). Thanks for sharing this beautiful photo and wonderful note !
Marion

batalay (41261) 2008-05-06 9:14

Hello Peter,

I love this timeless shot of the old gas station in Mitchell, especially effective in B&W. The shot could have been recorded on old English Ilford B&W in the 1950s. The note also is most informative.

I just posted an image, and the note cites the lecture next week at the National Geographic. Is there any way you can still make it?

Warm regards,

Bulent

Floydian (30970) 2008-05-06 9:43

Peter,
The man his smile is worth a close-up. What a beard, what a great face.
But here the wider view is also very nice composed with the car he is leaning on. B&W seems the best choice because there are a lot of things going on that would disturb the man is attitude. Not something we see often from you, but i like this kind of photography a lot..well done..!!
Regards, Henk

Wandering_Dan (3449) 2008-05-06 10:15

Hi, Peter -

Boy, is that a mischievous grin on his face! And so very classically Oregonian - among the most defiantly individualistic people in the US. I like the B&W choice, too; among other things, it brings out the mud on the truck, and gives the whole thing a timeless feel.

Best,
Dan

Cretense (68709) 2008-05-06 11:51

Hi Peter!

We don't see very often daily life scenes and portraits from you, you are mostly a landscape photographer and an excellent one! With this one you prove something that I have writtes some other times before. A great photographer is a great one in any style, theme or topic. Great, joyfull portrait, great framing and compostition and excellent, very suitable choice of b&w. Congratuations!

Hercules

Glint (6171) 2008-05-06 12:17

hello Peter,
excellent story in words and picture. The black & white treatment is perfect for the subject.
regarrds
Bev

feather (51130) 2008-05-06 13:07

I bet that was the expression on his face while he told you about the 12'fish! The image is very reminiscent of an old B&W movie. It's a good job we can't read what is on his cap as that is probably the only anachronism, although 4WD aficionados would probably disagree. To my (inexperienced) eyes the conversion is excellent with all the right range of tones and contrast. Well done
Kath

MarianneS (15338) 2008-05-06 13:15

Hi Peter,
Wonderful expression! He is absolutely great!!
Regards,
Marianne

azleader (6) 2008-05-06 13:36

Gorgeous B/W. Great tonality across the full range from black to white. Good use of the rule of thirds and with image balance across the frame. Also, you captured the character and his setting perfectly.

You encapsulate the characteristics of the town of Mitchell very well in your most interesting note. For most travelers Mitchell is just a spot in the road that you drive through on your way from Bend to Boise.

belido (19934) 2008-05-06 13:53

Olá Peter,

parece que estou vendo algum filme road americano. Sempre aparecem essas pessoas caricaturadas, assim como essa foto apresenta em sua bem acertada versão p&b. Gostei da proposta diferente diante de belas paisagens.
Abraço,
Carlos

mesutilgim (0) 2008-05-06 14:06

Hi dear Peter,
Something quite different than your used style !
Wonderfull b&w capture wirh a super model. This reminds me to the "classics" of Ansel Adams '
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

Merline (0) 2008-05-06 14:48

A great portrait Peter, a true piece of life with a funny and interesting story to go with...
I like very much your choice of b/w, the mischevious smile, the natural attitude of him leaning against the car, excellent composition. I can imagine the whole setting, and I agree with Henk, a close-up would be great. Nice to see you posting people, I enjoy it very much !

TFS, Kind regards
Michèle

Clairedelune (4923) 2008-05-06 18:05

Just 12 feet? Pffff... It's nothing! :))
These people are interesting characters, isn't it? Full of stories, sure of themselves, no lack of conversation! Never boring. Except maybe if you live with the guy! :))
I like to see the guy with his old, big and dirty truck. He is even more likable that way. The smile is friendly, but I miss the eyes...
A good one!
Claire

zeca (19762) 2008-05-06 21:19

Um ótimo portrait, Peter. Um simpático cidadão em frente a um carro super atraente, cheio de detalhes e sujeiras, texturas e tons. Você aplicou um filtro verde aqui? O contraste está muito bom e os tons bem cheios. Boa foto!
Abraço,
Zeca

jjcordier (79299) 2008-05-06 21:43

Peter
Il respire vraiment la joie de vivre! Beau noir et blanc.
Amicalement
JJ

Wanda1 (15142) 2008-05-06 23:03

Hi Peter,
This man and his battered truck make for a super black and white filled with character and interest. Well composed too. I can just imagine the stories that this man must have to tell!
Regards
Wanda

dmoriaslr (22) 2008-05-07 2:27

This is certainly a classic picture. You have very skillfully highlighted the very essence of this rustic man's character...beard, pick-up truck and story-telling. Definitely all-American. Did you check into his Veteran status? : ) Nice to see you posting portraits.
Linet

ktanska (45126) 2008-05-07 3:27

Hi Peter,
Stong, tough, experienced... Did you mean people or cars?
Coming from a small village, I know how many people on such places are quite multitalented. Though some are just plain alcoholics...
Excellent B&W portrait with the dirty car adding perspective.
Kari

fkokol (1636) 2008-05-07 4:01

Great moment you captured. wonderful portrait. and it looks great in BW. greetings,

figen

Greg1949 (9011) 2008-05-07 4:24

Peter, I'll add my acolades to this one. The shot os great and the note is even better. Surely this place is now on my must see places tho I think I will leave the wife out of the plans for this one...

Greg

zmey (7335) 2008-05-07 5:19

wow, peter... what a character :)) inseparable from the truck as you have frozen him for eternity in this shot. great pic and 'american' to the core. story telling is written all over your subject's face and you have captured it so well that i almost can here him laughing out loud here :)

my compliments,
kristaps

Bluejeans (64251) 2008-05-07 5:51

Oi Peter,
Bela foto de calendario a peças de automoveis :), o sorriso do homem ficou fantástico , gostei muito das texturas e detalhes , foi uma boa escolha o preto e branco , parabéns!!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

paura (25802) 2008-05-07 5:59

Peter,
O brother aí parece um Boehringer, não? Até pelo sorriso de ver um sobrinho-neto que não via faz tempos... :-)

Tá uma linda fotografia, amigo.

Anração

Paulo

Dyerco (10185) 2008-05-07 7:07

Great portrait shot Peter. Maybe I will listen to his stories in a month from now. Who knows the fish might grow to 400 lbs by then :))
The B&W really works well for this image.
Phil

dareco (17136) 2008-05-07 8:51

This is great!! I love his expression and enjoyed reading your note. Very nice b&w. TFS

Philippe (11836) 2008-05-07 8:57

Hi, Peter. This is the America that is not seen by tourists, the America of the first setllers. Who ventures there? The guy here seems to be very happy to talk to people. You can read that on his face. An interesting framing with the man leaning on his pickup which, I suppose, in in the same copndition as the town itself.

lucasgalodoido (27698) 2008-05-07 10:27

Olá Peter,
fantástica essa foto, achei que essas velhas pickups só existiam por aqui, mas vejo que continuam fazendo sucesso, pelo menos para esse feliz proprietário. Gostei da opção pelo P&B também.
Parabéns e Abraço!

sebinho342 (19329) 2008-05-07 15:08

eh eh, recently i saw, but this time in original version one of my top movie which is U-turn, such a powerful movie with J-lo, nick nolte, a young joaquin phoenix and Mister Sean Penn ... so funny one ... And this guy reminds me ok a little bit far though the car mecanicien in that one ;)
OK this is not arizona this is oregon but ...
.... this is my story on that shot, telling stories you say ?
Excellent

gunbud (34066) 2008-05-07 19:23

Hi Peter,
You have caught a very warm smile on the radiant face of Mitchell's jack of all trades. You did well chooing a b&w format that goes so well with the timelessness of this great portrait.
Regards, Tom

kensimage (8563) 2008-05-07 22:15

Great character study, Peter--the man fits the pickup so well! They're both a little worn, but they're both still working. They're both a little scruffy, but they're both still square at the shoulders and able to work hard. Nice catch, it tells a good story. Regards, Ken.

marietom (34611) 2008-05-08 2:03

Hello Peter,

Quel beau portrait, il doit, en effet, avoir des tas d'histoires à raconter... Superbe !
Bonne soirée
Marie

trekks (14348) 2008-05-08 3:04

I remember years ago on the bus drive to Las Vegas, passing through a deserted ghost mining town. And earlier years, my cross-Canada/America camping trip showing mid-Western trading posts, with typical people like your story-teller here. Almost all places like these, the pick up trucks are Chevys (those days, not so many Toyotas).

I can that this story-teller is readily posing for you, Peter with a big grin and happiest face in the world. Perhaps you have given him a lot of good business profit during your stay and make him happy. He looks proud. Really, they always dress up in jeans and chequered shirts.

I like your B&W shot. And the dirty truck. What is he holding? A pipe? Not a gun, I hope. Out in mid-West, they often have guns for self protection. Great story teller yourself, Peter, giving us useful information about California and Oregon. Good focal of 70mm, as if we were standing in front of him for this portrait. The beard, mustache and cap is just part and parcel of country style here.

Thanks for sharing, Bill

MayaG (2415) 2008-05-08 5:33

Hi Peter,
yes, really a story telling image! What an interesting character! I love that old texture of the car behind - it tells stories too!
great work!
Marija

plimrn (21344) 2008-05-08 10:39

Hi Peter,
You presented this character perfectly with your own great story; well done!! Your photo was great in color and much better in a B&W conversion; although I think this old coot deserves sepia.
HLJ, Pat

derek3755 (2341) 2008-05-08 14:55

Hi Peter

what a cheeky grin this guy has, and i bet he has lots of stories to tell. And a great capture, lots of character to this portrait, and nice that you have included some of the gas station and vehicle too. Like it a lot

Regards
Derek

pasternak (15185) 2008-05-09 2:53

Nice portrait, Peter, light is a bit harsh but the angle is very well chosen as it brings a sense of volume to the photo in this way. Reminds me of the "Straight Story" by David Lynch...

Cheers
A

Rodrigues (1035) 2008-05-09 8:11

Just great. Great posing, great context (the van).
And love you "notes".

delkoo (68) 2008-05-09 8:45

hi peter
you have got a funny meeting with this guy, i like his relaxed pose and his kind smile,
your b&w is very well managed .

nice one
didier

guillaumejm (0) 2008-05-09 10:55

Hello peter,
excellent portrait. I guess b&w is better here than colousr to give a little intemporality to the picture and this smiling man.
Best regards
JMarc

rigoletto (34279) 2008-05-09 23:58

A-ha!
He is the guy mostly presented in American horror movies.
The nuclear American family is heading to the desolate lands of central America. They stop by a gas station to fullfill their last needs, and he tells them not to go there. But in vain, they insist on going ahead, and violance comes next, brrrr >:))
Very interesting photo inside the wild nature series.
Cheers,
Deniz

skippy007 (12510) 2008-05-10 1:31

Hello Peter, I like your story & I think I would like like this story teller to spin me some yarn. You have captured his cheeky child like smile very well. BW I think a good choice with the old car & old fella standing proud in front of her. I like your note.
Nice work.
Thanks
Santo

Emile (20352) 2008-05-10 22:10

Hola Peter.
Algo diferente pero muy bien captado, el B&W le va muy bien a la composición y como dice Henk la cara y barba del hombre merecen un portrait tomado mas cerca, su sonrisa es muy natural y simpática. Muy buena foto.
Un fuerte abrazo y ya me voy a dormir, aquí son pasada la una de la madrugada.

robertosalguero (292) 2008-05-11 0:33

Hello Peter,

Since he seems to own half of the town tourists better be nice to him, unless they want to sleep in car with an empty tank of gas. Fortunately he seems like a nice, friendly guy in the picture. Excellent black and white image with the truck gracing the foreground. Nice smile and very pleasant image all around. Cheers :-)

Roberto

ryno (6869) 2008-05-12 10:40

Peter, this is a great portrait shot, placing the subject in his natural environment. There's so much character in his face, he seems as tough and hardy as his truck. Excellent!
Regards,
Ryno

abulafia (4900) 2008-05-13 8:11

Hi Peter
I've really enjoyed following your uploads, it is amazing so much your technical skills have improved, like this B+W, even though this isn't what you post most of, it is easy to see that you master that as well.
Great shot and a very interesting smile, I can easily imagine him trying to pull your leg:))
Harry

cdmonson (5304) 2008-05-13 18:37

Hi Peter:

This picture has the strength and charm of small-town America written all over it. Not many nicer people than people from small towns like this. This guy looks like he's thrilled to death with his life--if only more of us felt that way! Good call on the black and white.

Clark

nwoehnl (122) 2008-05-14 3:50

Hallo Peter. Nun, nachdem ich Dich neulich ein wenig vorlaut dazu angeregt hatte, ab und zu mal aus Deiner Landscape Comfort Zone rauszukommen, ist das hier schon ein recht beeindruckendes Beispiel dafür, was ich sehen wollte. Eine schöne Studie dieses interessanten Charakterkopfes, der freundlich vor seinem Pickup-Truck posiert. Er sieht wirklich wie der Typ aus, der einem die Angler-Stories erzählen würde (und dem man dabei auch gerne zuhören würde). Das schwarzweiss finde ich jetzt ein bisschen klischeehaft, aber wie ich sehe waren die Lichtbedingungen nicht die leichtesten, und eine monochrome Darstellung war wohl angesagt. Das 70-200 ist ein sagenhaftes Objektiv, nicht war? Beste Grüße.

mikele_pl (2400) 2008-05-14 6:06

Hi Peter,
this is a great "wild west" portrait. One of my dreams is to go to the US, get a car like the one in your photo and travel around. Must be really great.
Thanks for sharing
Michal

fulvio52 (8314) 2008-05-17 12:44

Hi Peter,
a most astonishing array of tones across this picture, from black to white, a most unique grin on Hugh's face, and an even more unique note!
Therefore, Mitchell's now definitely on my agenda, possibly in the summer of 2009, when we plan to tour California & the High Sierras once again. Oregon ain't that far, so... I'm really looking forward to meet this guy and Henry the Bear!
Thanks for sharing, my friend.
You have a great weekend, I'll see you around.
Ciao,
Fulvio.

jusninasirun (17529) 2008-05-24 21:19

Hello Peter. I like this shot of Mr Story and can almost imagine the enthusiasm leaning against his proud looking truck. Good shot in well controlled saturation and contrast, The light from the left adds brilliance to the composition. Thanks for sharing and best regards. Jusni

Wahclellaspirit (4125) 2008-06-03 17:01

Hello Peter,
What a great story from astoryteller! That 12' fish was really an 18' Sturgeon and he caught it in the creek that has now dried up in the Painted Hills Unit. I seem to have seen his reflection in Mitchell before. I think that Plimm may be correct and that he natm least deserwved Sepia, but being an "OLD Coot." I will have to ask him one day if he feels he deserves that title.
Glad you enjoyed the trip...
Steve

Photo Information

Copyright: Peter Boehringer (pboehringer) (770)
Genre: Gente
Medium: Blanco y negro
Date Taken: 2008-04-26
Categories: Vida cotidiana, Divertidas
Camera: Nikon D200, Nikkor 70-200 AF-S VR 2.8, Digital RAW 100 ISO, Nikon Circular Polarizer II
Exposición: f/4, 1/320 segundos
Versión de la foto: Versión original
Date Submitted: 2008-05-06 8:44