Gene Autry Museum of the American West
The Museum of the American West provides learning opportunities for all people by exploring the myths and realities of the American West and its diverse populations. The museum enhances the understanding of the present by collecting, preserving, and interpreting objects and art, making connections between people today and those who have shaped the past. (http://www.autrynationalcenter.org/) In this location, I used the Nikon D300 and the Nikon 14-24 f/2.8, an exceptional lens for low-light conditions and no flash.
How dark was it inside? There were some places where I could not see well enough to walk-around. How was this lens able to even take pictures? I have no idea. I know from my film days of 50mm f/1.4, that I could not take these pictures, in the dark, without resting the camera and even then, I felt very lucky if any pictures, other than black, came out. I was able to shoot all the pictures handheld and without any kind of support. The shoot also presented unique challenges – reflections from the acrylic type of “glass” from the displays. It reflected everything, but it was worse. Many of displays were next or facing each other. Therefore, they reproduced reflection of reflections of reflections…It was like having two mirrors facing each other and the infinite amount of reflections you get. The easy solution would have been to press the lens against the glass. However, that will never happen with the 14-24 with its exposed bulbous front element. One good thing, though. I did not have the same problems with noise as I did in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. I had some, but it was easily managed by Capture NX 2, Lightroom 2, or both – no Noise Ninja, this time.
Read More
