Rustic Red Barn on Mountain View Road

It was one of those winter days where the air was crisp, and the light was just perfect.

After visiting the Kingston Grist Mill, I decided to drive to Zion Crossing Park on Hollow Road. I couldn't remember taking any pictures of the park in the snow, so I didn't want to miss the opportunity. I planned to take Cherry Valley Road to Greatown-Franklin Turnpike (CR-518) to get to Hollow Road. However, while driving, I suddenly realized that there might be some great photography opportunities on Mountain View Road. So I turned off Cherry Valley Road onto the southern end of Mountain View Road.

There are no sidewalks or shoulders on the old country roads of Montgomery Township. Parking and stopping on the grassy areas on Mountain View Road can be difficult, especially with the possibility of ice under fresh snow. To take a photo, I made a U-turn and parked my Acura as close to the edge of the road as possible. Then, I put on the flashers and quickly grabbed my Fuji camera, which was still attached to the tripod. I ran over to the corner, roughly the same spot where I took a photo a few years ago, and set up the tripod to capture the moment.

Standing on the familiar spot on Mountain View Road, I surveyed the serene scene unfolding before my eyes. It was one of those winter days where the air was crisp, and the light was just perfect, creating a scene that looked as if it were painted.

The subject of my photo, a rustic red barn, sat amidst a sea of fresh snow. I found it hard not to be drawn to the charm of this barn with its vibrant red panels that seemed to glow against the stark, white landscape. The snow lay thick on the ground, untouched in many places, giving the scene a pure, undisturbed look.

Rustic Red Barn in the snow
17 February 2024 · FujiFilm X-T3 · XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR

There's a stately tree to the left, bare and beautiful in its dormancy, with branches that stretch up into the sky like the delicate lines of a drawing. This tree, along with the others at the edge of the frame, forms a natural border that frames the barn wonderfully, creating a composition that feels balanced and inviting.

The sky is a masterpiece in itself, with clouds that are soft and fluffy, creating a dynamic backdrop of varying shades of blue and grey. The clouds seem to whisper the possibility of more winter weather to come, adding a sense of anticipation to the stillness.

In the distance, other buildings hint at farm life beyond what my eye can see. The shadows cast by the trees on the snow add depth to the photo, highlighting the contours of the land and the texture of the season.

Capturing this photograph, I felt a connection to the landscape and a deep appreciation for the quiet beauty of the moment.

Post Processing Film

Straight out of the camera is limiting.

Kosmo Foto Agent Shadow 400 is a 35mm black and white film with an ISO rating of 400. It is a high-speed, versatile film used in various lighting conditions, from bright sun to low light. The film is manufactured by the UK-based company Kosmo Foto. It produces sharp, detailed images with good tonal range and minimal grain. It is suitable for indoor and outdoor photography. It can be used for various subjects, including portraits, street, and landscape photography. The film is also reported to have a wide exposure latitude and good shadow detail. Some users claim it produces the same or better results than Ilford HP5 Plus and Kodak Tri-X.

The 13 frames below were captured with Kosmot Foto Agent Shadow 35mm film at ISO 400 using a Pentax P3n camera and SMC Pentax-A 50mm F2 lens. But I have a secret. All of the images were edited in Adobe Lightroom. I know that some photographers believe (yes, this is about religion) that manipulating a photograph in any way is "cheating" and implies a lack of skill. I call bullshit on this way of thinking.

The fact is that cameras do not see the same way that human beings see. The camera and lens and recording medium (film or digital) cannot capture any subject or scene in the same way the human optical system (a combination of our eyes and brains) witnesses the world. Our brains and eyes have evolved over millions of years to create a perception of the visual world that is uniquely human. Insects, birds, reptiles, and other mammals receive visual data and process and interpret it differently than we do.

Each film stock or camera sensor will process light and shadow differently. The digital processor in a Fuji X-Trans digital camera will not capture and process the light the same way as the sensor in a Nikon Z digital camera. Choosing which film stock to use is a form of processing. A scene captured with Fuji Velvia will not appear the same when captured with Kodak Ektachrome E100. Digital scanners introduce even more processing when a film is developed and scanned. Why is it that when a photographer crops, straightens, colour corrects or darkens parts of an image (a.k.a dodge and burn), it is suddenly not considered "true to life", not real photography?

For a while, I have let this way of thinking infect my mind and ruin my experiences with 35mm film photography. With digital photography, I had let go of it. But this virus re-infected my mind over the last few years of reading various film photography blogs. I won't do this anymore.

When I see 35mm film grain that I do not like, I will remove it using my digital tools. I have inner ear balance issues. My photographs tend to tilt to the left. I will use horizontal correction when I need it. If I need to adjust the shadows and the highlights to make the photograph look better, I will do it. I am 55, and I have had four eye surgeries. My vision is not the best. There are dead spots in my vision and some colours each eye perceives colours differently. I will use whatever digital tools I need to create the world as I see it.

I started making photographs to make me happy and to capture my perspective. If I continue to be a hostage to others' perspectives and opinions on photography, I will not be happy.

I created digital versions of these photographs on my Fuji X-T3.

Mountain View Road, Skillman, Montgomery Township
Saturday 19 November 2022 · Pentax P3n · SMC Pentax-A 50mm F2
Saturday 19 November 2022 · Pentax P3n · SMC Pentax-A 50mm F2
Saturday 19 November 2022 · Pentax P3n · SMC Pentax-A 50mm F2
Saturday 19 November 2022 · Pentax P3n · SMC Pentax-A 50mm F2
Mountain View Road, Skillman, Montgomery Township
Saturday 19 November 2022 · Pentax P3n · SMC Pentax-A 50mm F2
Mountain View Road, Skillman, Montgomery Township
Saturday 19 November 2022 · Pentax P3n · SMC Pentax-A 50mm F2
Mountain View Road, Skillman, Montgomery Township
Saturday 19 November 2022 · Pentax P3n · SMC Pentax-A 50mm F2
Mountain View Road, Skillman, Montgomery Township
Saturday 19 November 2022 · Pentax P3n · SMC Pentax-A 50mm F2
Mountain View Road, Skillman, Montgomery Township
Saturday 19 November 2022 · Pentax P3n · SMC Pentax-A 50mm F2
Mountain View Road, Skillman, Montgomery Township
Saturday 19 November 2022 · Pentax P3n · SMC Pentax-A 50mm F2
Mountain View Road, Skillman, Montgomery Township
Saturday 19 November 2022 · Pentax P3n · SMC Pentax-A 50mm F2

Early Morning on Mountain View Road

Inspired by John Grey's example, I decided to photograph the length of Mountain View Road, a tiny stretch of road in Montgomery Township between County Route 518 and Cherry Valley Road.

Winter mornings can be harsh, and a chilly one in November is no exception. I am not a fan of the cold air and grey skies that winter brings. I don't know if I suffer from "seasonal affective disorder" (SAD). I am less enthusiastic about nearly everything during the winter months. But for those who appreciate the beauty of nature, the crisp air and the changing of the trees make for some of the most scenic moments of the year.

I woke up early on a cold November morning. It was about -4ºC outside. Inspired by John Grey's Down the Road blog, I decided to photograph the length of Mountain View Road, a tiny stretch of road in my home town of Montgomery Township. The road snakes between County Route 518 (CR 518) (a.k.a. George Franklin Turnpike) to the north and Cherry Valley Road on the southern border with Princeton Township. Mountain View Road road is one of my favourites. The landscape along the oae is peaceful and it's natural beauty make it a perfect spot to escape the hustle of daily life. The road bisects Beden Brook, a small stream that flows through the area. The brook is lined with tall trees and is a popular spot for hiking, photography, and picnicking.

Mountain View Road, Skillman, Montgomery Township
Saturday 19 November 2022 · FujiFilm X-T3 · MD Rokkor-X 50mm F1.7

I loaded a Kosmo Foto Agent Shadow 35mm film cartridge into my Pentax P3n1, attached my SMC Pentax-A 50mm F2 lens, and grabbed my Fuji X-T3 and Minolta MD Rokkor-X F1.7 lens and headed out the door.

I entered Mountain View Road from the intersection with _five eighteen_2. The eastern sun was beginning to rise, and the cloudless sky was painted with hues of pink and orange. The farm fields were blanketed with a layer of frost. I parked Bhavna's car on Lake View at the entrance to a small neighbourhood of homes. I pulled the P3n and X-T3 from the camera bag.

I've never used lens filters, but with actual black-and-white film, you can use coloured lens filters to manipulate the shades of grey. Since there are no colours, the film interprets colours between black and white. Using different filters, you can change how the black and white film stock interprets the colour and what grey you get. I cannot use coloured lens filters on my Fuji X-T3 X-Trans camera to achieve this same effect, so Fujifilm has given me three "filter" options for ACROS: +Y, which simulates the use of a yellow filter, +R, which simulates the use of a red filter, and +G, which simulates the use of a green filter. Fuji calls these filters Film Simulations. I like the +R filter; reds are rendered as lighter shades of grey, and the blues are slightly darker. While these different "filter" Acros options simulate the look of using filters, the actual results aren't a 100% match. The manipulation of grey is not nearly as pronounced as using coloured filters on black and white film.

The X-T3 was set to use the in-camera ACROS+R Film Simulation. I also composed and exposed the same scene with the P3n and SMC Pentax-A 50mm F2 and Kosmo Foto Agent Shadow.

I was filled with the morning's peacefulness as I crossed the road and approached the fence line to the farm field. The only sounds were the crunching of my boots on the frost-covered grass, the distant clucking of chickens, and the dim hum from traffic on County Road 518. I made a few exposures with my Minolta MD Rokkor-X adapted Fuji X-T3. The fields were covered in a blanket of frost, giving the impression that the land was sparkling under a blanket of diamonds.

Mountain View Road, Skillman, Montgomery Township
Saturday 19 November 2022 · FujiFilm X-T3 · MD Rokkor-X 50mm F1.7

The farmer has parked his farm truck outside the wire fence and shed where the chickens were kept. The chickens clucked excitedly as they gathered to feed. The farmer grabbed a large bag of feed from the truck's bed and began scattering it over the ground. The chickens eagerly pecked at the feed, their feathers rustling in the morning light. I took a moment to watch the chickens enjoying their breakfast. My hands were growing cold. I returned to the still-running car to warm up and go further down the road.

Mountain View Road, Skillman, Montgomery Township
Saturday 19 November 2022 · FujiFilm X-T3 · MD Rokkor-X 50mm F1.7

I stopped just around the corner from the bridge that passes over Beden Brook, a small stream tributary of the Millstone River known for its clear, sparkling water and lush greenery. In winter, the only thing still growing are the grasses. The brook is a hidden gem, known only to a select few who stumble upon it while wandering through the winding roads of Montgomery Township. As one travels along Mountain View Road, the soothing sound of the brook can be heard.

Winding between Bedens Brook and Cherry Run, the road's uninterrupted vistas of beautiful farmland are a magnet for walkers, cyclists and leisure drivers attracted to a landscape remarkable for its coherence and proximity to Princeton. In 2015 this landscape became preserved farmland along its entire length when Johan and Emily Firmenich, working with D&R Greenway, saved the road's last piece of developable open space.

Mountain View Road, Skillman, Montgomery Township
Saturday 19 November 2022 · FujiFilm X-T3 · MD Rokkor-X 50mm F1.7

The brook is lined with tall trees, which in the Spring, Summer and Fall, create a secluded and natural setting for visitors. It's a popular spot for hiking, photography, and picnicking. Even now, the trees stand tall and majestic, their bare branches reaching towards the winter sky. The crisp, cold air gave the landscape a serene and peaceful feel. The trees, stripped of their leaves, are a reminder of the cycle of life and death in nature. Despite the barrenness, there is still beauty to be found in the trees during the coming winter months.

Mountain View Road, Skillman, Montgomery Township
Saturday 19 November 2022 · FujiFilm X-T3 · MD Rokkor-X 50mm F1.7

The sun was now higher in the sky but still on the eastern side of Mountain View Road. I drove further south, halfway to the end of the road, entering the "Princeton ZIP code" 3 section of Montgomery Township. I stopped to take a photograph of this farmhouse. The farmhouse, built in 1881, sits on a 47.53-acre country estate and has been renovated by its most recent owners. The property includes a variety of outbuildings, including a pool house, tennis court, barn, clustered outbuildings, and an apple orchard. The farmhouse is the only part of the property easily visible from the street. Yet, it gives a glimpse of the grandeur and beauty that lies beyond.

237 Mountain View Road
237 Mountain View Road · Saturday 19 November 2022 · FujiFilm X-T3 · MD Rokkor-X 50mm F1.7

Further down the road, the open farm field stretched out before me, a vast expanse of white and silver. The grass, blanketed in a thick layer of frost, crunches underfoot as I walk along the side of the road. The tree line in the distance, a dark silhouette against the bright winter sky, marks the edge of the field. One larger tree stands out among the trees, branches reaching up towards the sky like a creature worshipping the sky. The area is serene and peaceful, the only sounds coming from the crunch of my footsteps. The vast open space, the natural beauty of the tree line, and the larger tree made this a perfect spot for taking in the winter landscape.

Mountain View Road, Skillman, Montgomery Township
Saturday 19 November 2022 · FujiFilm X-T3 · MD Rokkor-X 50mm F1.7

As I stood taking in the scenery, a lone car came driving from Princeton. The driver, noticing me, pulled over and stopped to chat. He was friendly and talkative, eager to share his passion for his classic car with me. We chatted about the car's make and model, its history, and the work he had put into restoring it. He pointed out details of the car's design and engineering as we talked. As the conversation turned to the area's beauty, the driver spoke of how much he loved the area and how he often came to enjoy the natural landscapes. The driver's passion for his car and eagerness to share it with a stranger made the experience even more enjoyable.

Mountain View Road, Skillman, Montgomery Township
Saturday 19 November 2022 · FujiFilm X-T3 · MD Rokkor-X 50mm F1.7

Near the southern end of the road, where the road turns sharply, sits a modern farmhouse on the corner of another large estate. A large barn sits on the property near the road, its weathered exterior and peeling paint giving it a sense of history and character. A large windmill towers above, its blades slowly turning in the wind. Another barn building lies adjacent, its red roof against the grey sky.

Mountain View Road, Skillman, Montgomery Township
Saturday 19 November 2022 · FujiFilm X-T3 · MD Rokkor-X 50mm F1.7

The forest edges the property, bare branches reaching like fingers towards the farm buildings. The sight of the old farmhouse with its windmill, the barns and the leafless trees on the edge of the forest creates an eerie yet picturesque scene. The farmhouse and its surroundings have a quiet, abandoned feel. It's a place that I am sure holds many stories and memories.

Mountain View Road, Skillman, Montgomery Township
Saturday 19 November 2022 · FujiFilm X-T3 · MD Rokkor-X 50mm F1.7

Just past the windmill is another cornet in the road. As the road bends, it straightens up slightly before curving again. This section of the road is surrounded by dense forest on the eastern side. However, on the western side, the trees are sparse enough to catch a glimpse of some of the large homes. As the road approaches the final curve, one can see the long stretch of woods that leads up to Cherry Valley Road and the Princeton Township border.

Mountain View Road, Skillman, Montgomery Township
Saturday 19 November 2022 · FujiFilm X-T3 · MD Rokkor-X 50mm F1.7

Near the end of this section of the road lies open fields on either side. The open fields are a haven for wildlife, with various species making their home in the tall grasses and wildflowers. The partnership with Montgomery Friends and NJ Green Acre has enabled the implementation of conservation practices to maintain the ecosystem's health and provide a habitat for the local wildlife. This partnership has also made it possible for educational programs and events to be held in the field, providing an opportunity for community members to learn about the importance of preserving natural spaces and their role in supporting local ecosystems.

Mountain View Road, Skillman, Montgomery Township
Saturday 19 November 2022 · FujiFilm X-T3 · MD Rokkor-X 50mm F1.7

The road ends at Cherry Valley Road, and I turn east toward home. As I drove home, my experience reminded me that no matter how harsh the winter mornings may be, there is always beauty to be found.

Mountain View Road is one of those special places in my town where I can find peace and tranquillity and be reminded of the beauty of nature. However, as much as I appreciate the beauty of a cold winter morning, I am also looking forward to the warmer days of spring. But for now, I'll bundle up, take my time on the roads and enjoy the unique beauty of this chilly November morning.


  1. I sold the Pentax P3n and SMC Pentax-A 50mm F2 on eBay a few weeks later. I was not using it. ?
  2. I don't know about other states, but in New Jersey, the norm is to call out multidigit numbered roadways by their numbers only; e.g. U.S. Highway 206 is just "two Oh six". ?
  3. The USA ZIP code system is based on the location of the nearest central mail processing facility. A ZIP Code's address and the city name written on the same line do not necessarily mean that address is within the boundaries of that city. I live in Montgomery Township but have a Princeton ZIP code. The Princeton ZIP code is centred in the mail facility in West Windsor, New Jersey. ?