Old Days
I can only imagine what these two gentlemen were reminiscing about at the Sycamore Steam Show and Threshing Bee. The show is held annually on a farm located between Sycamore and Burlington.
Additional info
- Category: Farming ʘ
- Location: Burlington, IL ʘ
- Camera: Canon EOS 40D
- Taken:
- Uploaded:
Contributor
Awards
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Awarded almost 2 years ago

Roy Lobenhofer
commented almost 2 years agoGreat shot!
Michael Wilhelmi
commented almost 2 years agoExcellent image!
Elizabeth Kubis
commented almost 2 years agoThis is a terrific picture! I love it.
Elizabeth Kubis
commented almost 2 years agoThis is a terrific picture! I love it.
Duane Rapp
commented almost 2 years agoVery cool. They have a similar show in Mt Pleasant Iowa also
Jan Crites
commented almost 2 years agoWhat a wonderful photo!
James Cole
commented almost 2 years agoAnother incredible capture.
Marcia Straub
commented almost 2 years agoLove the effect
Elizabeth Kubis
commented almost 2 years agoThis is a terrific picture
Ray Mathis
commented almost 2 years agoIt could just as well be me and a friend talking about shooting 4x5.:) That is if I could find one who does. Very nice. Like a Norman Rockwell. Pure Americana.
Mike Umbreit
commented almost 2 years agoThanks so much for all of the very kind comments! This image is special to me. My wife and I were attending the show and she pointed this scene out to me as I was taking some shots of another tractor in the opposite direction. I managed to get a couple of quick captures just before the gentlemen parted ways. I also learned at this show to protect your camera from the soot those old coal burners give off. I now carry a plastic bag to protect the camera when I am not using it. This year's show is coming up soon. :-)
Christopher Book
commented almost 2 years agoA superb image! I'd love to know the details behind its making as I really appreciate its craftmanship.
Greg Johnson
commented almost 2 years agoAnother inspiring photo. I need to get out more. When will this year's event be held?
John Harrison
commented almost 2 years agoWOW! What did you post process this with?
Mike Umbreit
commented almost 2 years agoThanks so much! First, more information about the steam show may be found at: http://www.threshingbee.org/ I did put this image through several different filters to get the look I wanted. There was a little HDR work to start with, but the main effects were created with plug-ins available from TopazLabs. I am a big fan of several of their products. I used Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2 as the main editor with the plug-ins. I don't know a thing about Photoshop. :-) Mike
Dragan Petrovic
commented almost 2 years agoExcellent.
John Harrison
commented almost 2 years agoThanks Mike, I have never used Corel, looks like I should this is an amazing image. Congrats!
Tiffany Whisler
commented almost 2 years agoThis is so beautiful, and very poignant too!! You do such amazing work - glad you shared this! Sadly, it's a way of life that is fading rapidly.....
Mike Turner
commented almost 2 years agoJust a great photo on so many levels.
Brendan Duffy
commented almost 2 years agoWOW! I've got to get to this thing. What a wonderful slice of history!
John Harrison
commented almost 2 years agoMike I just have to comment again on this photo it is one of if not my favorite that I have seen thus far. Norman Rockwell could not have done bettter. BRAVO!
Brendan Duffy
commented almost 2 years agoOn my dashboard this morning. I LOVE THIS SHOT!
Mike Umbreit
commented almost 2 years agoThanks so much for all of the very kind comments! I do have this one on canvas so that I can enjoy it. John - I think Corel has most of the same functions as Photoshop, but you may want to check out those Topaz filters if you haven't already. :-) Mike
Henry Barcikowski
commented almost 2 years agobeautiful pic
Jeanne Grunhard
commented almost 2 years agoWow, I just saw this on the lead page. This is so excellent!
Megan Czosek
commented almost 2 years agoThe scene is fabulous and the processing really perfects the image!
Jeremy Cordell
commented almost 2 years agoIf you don't mind me asking ... How do you accomplish the HDR effect, when multiple exposure isn't an option (people will move)?
Emily Logue
commented almost 2 years agoThis photo is stunning!! It is my all-time favorite! Everything about it is perfect!
Nicole Yeary
commented almost 2 years agoreally fantastic photo - so interesting. Actually before I read your description, I chuckled -- It feels like you know they are having a great time just chatting up about these toys and loving it! Before I got into all this... I bought Corel for my PC. Now that I have a MacBook - I couldn't use it and miss it ~
Mike Umbreit
commented almost 2 years agoThanks so much for the very kind comments!! The HDR effect (pseudo-HDR) may be accomplished with one raw image and a program like Photomatix. It is not as good as multiple bracketed shots but it can be very effective. There are also programs like Topaz Adjust that can be used on a single JPEG image. My goal was to make this image look as close to what I saw as possible. I may not have achieved that as it is nearly impossible, but I find it pleasing to the eye. :-) Mike
Jeremy Cordell
commented almost 2 years agoAh ... Okay! I thought it seemed impossible. Thanks! Still a great photo!
Theresa Cramer
commented almost 2 years agoA brilliant work of art. You couldnt have captured a moment like this any better. Nice job!! That show is happening now thru this Sunday :-)
Mike Umbreit
commented almost 2 years agoThanks for the very kind comments! I might get to the show tomorrow but with the heat and some other conflicts I am not sure if I am going to make it. There are some great photo ops but protect your camera! :-) Mike
Ma Anderson
commented almost 2 years agoShot says it all! Kudos!
Carolyn Dimmick
commented almost 2 years agoNice HDR! Photomatix?
Judy Balaskovits
commented almost 2 years agoJumps off the page--it's like 3D. Just love it!
Mike Umbreit
commented almost 2 years agoThanks so much! I used several filters and I did start with Photomatix but the scene is as I saw it. I only cloned out a few annoyances. I may never be lucky enough to see another sight like this again, but I keep trying! :-)
George Henry
commented almost 2 years agoWow, wow, and WOW!!
Mike Umbreit
commented almost 2 years agoGeorge - Thank You! - Mike
Erica Behringer
commented almost 2 years agoFantastic story this tells! Great shot, you've got a winner! :-)
Renee Cybul
commented almost 2 years agoThis one is a painting for sure! Love love love it! I am impressed with so much of your work, and your expertise on getting shots to look this amazing! I am humbled.
Mike Umbreit
commented almost 2 years agoErica and Renee - Thanks so much! I did spend a lot of time on this image getting it to look just the way I wanted. I will do that when an image really strikes me. :-) Mike
Gurley Hardin
commented almost 2 years agoGreat!
John Absher
commented over 1 year agoGREAT SHOT Mike!! There is so much to like about this shot. It really has a great feel to it.
Jonathon Pomeroy
commented over 1 year agoSuperb!
Joe Lekas
commented over 1 year agoFantastic! I love the composition the most, but the color and processing are terrific too!
Mike Umbreit
commented over 1 year agoThanks! I appreciate the comments!! - MIke
Homer Butuyan
commented over 1 year agowow! very beautiful!
George Raiman Jr.
commented over 1 year agoFantastic Mike! A shot like this can sometimes make you feel as if you are intruding but I felt like I was standing between the two of them. Excellent.
Mike Umbreit
commented over 1 year agoThanks so much!! - Mike
Peter Marzano
commented over 1 year agoAwesome!
Mike Umbreit
commented over 1 year agoPeter - Thanks! - Mike
Cindy Lee Uhlig
commented over 1 year agoMike
You are a TRUE Artist, all I can say Is WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Maureen Rueffer
commented over 1 year agoThis is really great! It's like a painting! It reminds me of my father-in-law! So I put up a photo of his old plow that was donated and shown in Sycamore also! Thanks for the memories! Like John says like a Norman Rockwell!!!
Mike Umbreit
commented over 1 year agoCindy and Maureen - Thanks to each of you! - Mike
Alton Weatherspoon
commented over 1 year agoNever seen nothing like 'em. Interesting. :-)
Mike Umbreit
commented over 1 year agoAlton - They are worth seeing! Thanks! - Mike
Michael Swygert
commented over 1 year agoJust discovered your Old Days steam engine and threshing machine photo. Mike, it is an inspiring image, with great composition, colors, and, best, the juxtaposition of theold machines and the old farmers. It tells a story of rural American history. Fabulous !!!!!
Mike Umbreit
commented over 1 year agoMichael - Thanks again! This is still one of my personal favorites and it is one of very few that hangs on my wall. - Mike
Ronald Dobis
commented over 1 year agoWonderful.
Mike Umbreit
commented over 1 year agoRonald - Thanks! - Mike
Paul Wegloski
commented over 1 year agoVery nice. Has kind of a Norman Rockwell feel to it.
Mike Umbreit
commented over 1 year agoPaul - Thank you! - Mike
MARK WILLIAMS
commented over 1 year agoTimeless!
Mike Umbreit
commented over 1 year agoMark - Thanks! - Mike
David Neesley
commented over 1 year agoMike this would look great in HDR...I love your composition, and the timeless quality of the photo..great work...lets see more
Jacek Giecold
commented over 1 year agowow!
Mike Umbreit
commented about 1 year agoThanks!!
Gabriela Acevedo
commented about 1 year agobeautiful photo/work Mike!
Mike Umbreit
commented about 1 year agoThank You!
Bruce Flynn - Inspiringshots.com
commented about 1 year agoSo so Very Cool!
tina stover
commented 11 months agogreat shot and effects ... ahh the good old days if only to have them back again
David Yaeger
commented 7 months agosimple perfection looks like a Norman Rockwell painting.
Mike Umbreit
commented 7 months agoThanks so much!!
Brian Connelly
commented 3 months agolove it