Axe in the Log -- A Black and White Study -- Country Living

I was visiting my parents a while back.  My father was outside chopping wood they use in their fireplace.  While he was taking a break, I saw the perfect opportunity to take a photo I needed for a photography class I was taking at the local community college (I needed a still life image).  An axe, nestled in the chopping block (an axe and its purpose) seemed to be begging to be captured on film.  Armed with my Canon A2E 35mm camera and Kodak TMAX-100, I took the shot hoping it perfectly captured the moment.  

In today's world of digital photography and instant feedback on the quality of the image, it might be difficult to understand the tension I was under.  It turns out, that I only had a single frame left on that particular roll of film.  And, of course, I didn't have any additional rolls with me.  I really liked the scene and really wanted it for my school portfolio.  However, I had no idea whether it worked or not.  The next day, I processed the film in the photo lab at the school.  I was quite relieved that it came out just the way I wanted it.  I proceeded to print it and include it in my portfolio; the instructor was happy with it.  

A few years later, I revisited the shot and scanned it with an Epson V750 scanner.  It required a little dust clean up, but not much more.  What you see here is the final representation of the image.  I always used TMAX-100 film when shooting black and white because of its small grain structure.  However, as with all film, you will still see the grain.  I think that enhances this image.