Terry's Photo Topics: Plough (or Plow)

I grew up on a farm. Part of the fall routine is ploughing. The plough cuts down several inches (maybe 6 or so depending on the top soil) and folds it over, essentially flipping it upside down. Organic material from this years crop is buried and air is worked into the ground.

Our tractor and plough were small in comparison to this big rig. We had a three-bottom plough, this one has nine. It was spotted on Sunday morning on my way to church. At that time is was bathed in a decent morning light but I couldn't stop then. I went back in the afternoon and captured it against a stormy sky. This might has been a good opportunity for a pair of off-camera radio controlled flashes so that the sky would not be so bright in comparison to the equipment.

Ploughing can actually be a competitive sport. If you think it is not very physical you would be right until you considered the horse drawn version where the person walks behind the plough and actively guided it through the ground. In the fall we often would travel to the ploughing match. My uncle would often compete. For those in Ontario, I think that big match has already been held. Make a note for it next year.

1/800 f/4.5 ISO 400 EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM @ 73 mm Canon EOS 40D

A close up of the business end of the plough. These are the moldboards.

1/125 f/13 ISO 400 EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM @ 70 mm Canon EOS 40D

A good subject for a depth-of-field shot. (pun intended). Each of teh moldboards are on an arm that can flip up if a rock is struck. The springs that are visible here are part of that mechanism.