I took this original photo early one very gray and overcast morning in 2000. The sun was about to break through but is not visible on my original photo.The Dedham Mall was having some occupancy issues. “Levitz” had moved (or gone out of business) and Toys R Us was about to come in. I liked the original image but the overall gray tone did not match the emotional effect of passing this emptied gray store with just a shadow of its name still visible with the foreground of this contemporary, colorful icon planted possessively, almost like a taunt to poor Mr. Levitz. Perhaps, our flag planted on everyone’s moon had a similar effect?
I have just reworked this image with a tutorial by Mark S. Johnson who used Photoshop and Nik filters to create an image that matched what he saw and felt while looking at a foggy morning in a small harbor in Maine. He really saw this type of light but had to recreate it digitally. I saw this light but only in my mind’s eye and had to try and recreate it with the help of his tutorial. His style of teaching was direct and clear. Yea! I’ll absolutely do more of his tutorials in the future. Here’s my original image.
