Light and Landscape

Landscape Photography Workshops

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 09:03:58 -0500

I am going to do some half and full day landscape photography workshops this year. I have had a couple of requests in the past and thought that it could be an enjoyable experience for me and the participants. The idea is to make it a one-on-one experience to be able to make the workshop personally tailored to the participant. I would be open to a couple of photographers getting together to share the costs. The half day workshop would typically consist of a sunrise shoot followed by an image review session, and a discussion of post processing. The full day workshop will include shooting, image review and post processing/printing as time allows. Also, I am a large format and panoramic film photographer, so if someone is interested in trying large format we could do that as well. I am willing to meet at a location that works for everyone and set up the workshop to make the best use of your time, and to work on the areas of photography that you are interested in. I also have experience with digital, and the workshop will emphasize the technical aspects of photography as well as elements of composition and the aesthetics of landscape photography. Call or email me for more information.

Winter Landscape - Uncommon This Year

Mon, 5 Mar 2012 14:20:44 -0600

This landscape image was made on Friday, February 24 after a beautiful 6” snowfall. Last Friday we had another snowfall of 4” or so, but snow has been hard to come by this year. I believe that my driveway has been plowed four times all Winter, which is remarkable. This has made Winter landscape photography very unproductive, with few images to show. Usually Winter is a very beautiful and interesting season to photograph. This image is from the Yankee Hollow area east of Blanchardville near the Lafayette and Green county line, and was shot with the Pentax 645 with 75mm lens on Provia film.

Old Sheds in Richland County Two Views

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 07:08:28 -0600

Shot with Pentax 645N with 75mm lens, Kodak Portra 160 film

Abandoned House, Lafayette County - Interior Detail

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 07:59:19 -0600

Once in his life a man ought to concentrate his mind upon
the remembered earth, I believe. He ought to give himself
up to a particular landscape in his experience, to look at it
from as many angles as he can, to wonder about it, to
dwell upon it.

N. Scott Momaday
The Way to Rainy Mountain

This image comes from continued work in my Driftless project, which really is a reflection and exploration of place, landscape and home. I do not yet have all of the parameters for this project worked out, but look at it as a process as I continue to work. The image above is from a house that has been abandoned for 40 years or more - I can see the pride in the painting of the door and and the wall covering and details. I can also almost hear voices from the kitchen, which is on the other side of this door.

Summer Cottage Near The Wisconsin River Two Views

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:16:31 -0600

Abandoned One Room Schoolhouse - Lafayette County Two Views

Fri, 3 Feb 2012 06:52:46 -0600

I found this beautiful one room schoolhouse in southwestern Lafayette county, not far from Grant county to the west and the Illinois border to the south. I have driven by this before in the Spring/Summer, but the pasture around it was filled with beef cattle so I could not photograph it. I borrowed the ‘two views’ idea from Sam Abell’s book The Life Of A Photograph in which he shares multiple images of a subject. I like both images and do not suggest that one is better than the other. I think the top image shows the context of landscape and place, suggests the isolation of this area, and probably best illustrates the themes of my Driftless project: change, loss, sense of place, a man-altered landscape, the passage of time and the beauty of aging in the wood and stone.

An Exercise In Composition

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 09:49:14 -0600

I have been studying composition recently, as I tend to do from time to time. I have been enjoying a book by Sam Abell (one of my favorite National Geographic photographers) called The Life of a Photograph, and reading some interviews as he talks about his work. Some of his ideas regarding composition include:
1) Compose and wait - find your composition and wait for something to happen 2) Microcompose elements within the image 3) Look for frames within the frame 4) Look for layers within the image. The images at left are a section of a contact sheet from some recent work of an old prairie church in Iowa county. The bottom image is my first shot, and is typical of the way I approach a subject. I looked for balance and an emphasis on the doors (originally separate entrances for men and women) and the beautiful stonework. There is nothing wrong with this composition, but it really does not show context and setting of this building. We don’t know if this church is in town or the country, or anything else about the location. The middle frame is my second attempt. Now I have put the church in context - you can see that there is an old fence and cemetery that is part of this property, and now you can see the open fields of the prairie and a grove of trees in the distance. This image still emphasizes the stonework and the simple details of the door, which are the elements that attracted me to this church. I feel like the composition is close, but not quite right. I moved slightly to my right so that the flag pole and left fence post did not dissect two of the larger headstones in the cemetery. This also gave the tree more room so that it did not touch the flag pole, which I thought was better. Now the image shows landscape and context, has multiple layers from the church in the foreground to the cemetery in the middle ground and the fields and grove of trees in the background. The tree on the right helps to balance the composition, and the flag pole splits the scene (not always a good thing) and frames a second image that includes the tree, cemetery and field. This was done on film, without the benefit of instant review that digital photography offers, so I really had to slow down and think about the composition as I worked. I do think that I am seeing improvements in my composition, and think that studying other photographers’ work really has an impact on my own work. If you can, take time to do this by using books or websites - it will have a positive impact on your photography.

Beetown WI 53802

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 10:17:30 -0600

Winter Light

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 09:00:17 -0600

The short days of November, December and January are looked at with a certain dread by many people, and there is even a syndrome (Seasonal Affective Disorder) named for the effects of less light. Being a photographer, I look forward to these shorter days because of the soft light and the ability to photograph all day, instead of just at the ends of the day in the Summer when the midday light is harsh and bright. In the Winter I can shoot at noon - there are shadows and softer light because the sun is relatively low in the southern sky. This image is from Green Cemetery - the first cemetery in Green county and located near Postville, which is about six miles from home. This is photographed with the Hasselblad on Ektar 100 film, converted to black & white with Silver Efex Pro. The composition breaks one of the so called rules of photography, the rule of thirds, by aligning the three main elements vertically - the headstone, the old lilac shrub and the overhanging limbs. My next post is going to explore composition with an image that I am pleased with, a composition different than my normal approach. Composition takes a lot of studying and thought, and probably can improve one’s images more than the latest technical improvements in cameras. I have been reading and looking at images by Sam Abell, one of my favorite National Geographic photographers. More on this in the next post.

Health Care Decor - Two Of My Images Used At UW-Health

Tue, 3 Jan 2012 11:14:31 -0600

Yesterday Karla and I stopped by to see two of my images that were used as decor in a health care facility in Madison. These images are very large, 16 to 19 feet wide. The top image, Spring Panoramic at Governor Dodge, was printed on a transparent film and applied to plexiglass panels to create a room divider for a waiting area. It offers some privacy for patients with a quiet nature scene to help them relax. The warm colors used in the floor coverings, paint colors and furniture, along with some soft lighting, are a long way from the old school hospital/clinic setting of white and gray with harsh fluorescent lighting. The bottom image, Winter Panoramic/Ryan Family Farm, was installed using state-of-the-art LED light panels behind the image. The other cool thing is that the image panels can be changed out by the hospital staff, and this display uses four seasonal images of mine. I am working with the company that builds and installs these displays to set up my images for possible use in hospitals around the country, which is an exciting possibility. I am a traditionalist in most of my photography - I shoot mostly film and sell framed prints, but it is very exciting to see my work used in this way and rewarding to think that it may help comfort patients in a hospital/clinic setting.

Rush Creek State Natural Area

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 17:01:27 -0600

Took a 25 mile gravel ride today in the area of Rush Creek State Natural Area, located several miles south of De Soto, WI along the Mississippi River. This is an area of deep valleys, coulees, ridges, spring creeks, and marshes with an abundance of wildlife, including eagles. I made a loop on remote-feeling gravel roads with almost no traffic and passed through the ridge top unincorporated town of Retreat. The name comes from the Battle of Bad Axe in 1832 when Black Hawk and his people were defeated not far from here at Victory, along the Mississippi River. It was there that most of the Indians, including women and children, were slaughtered. The Walnut Mound Cemetery at Retreat also holds a Medal of Honor winning soldier from the Civil War. This part of the driftless area of Wisconsin has spectacular natural beauty, and based on the number of abandoned and falling down farms, a difficult place to make a living off the land. The bike pictured above is a Salsa Fargo, my B.R.E.V. (back road exploration vehicle) which I am making plans to ride across Iowa on gravel next Spring, as part of a photo project. More on that later.

Minnesota - Norwegian Heritage and Lutheran Churches

Sat, 3 Dec 2011 12:14:17 -0600

Karla and I took an overnight trip to Northfield, Minnesota to attend the St. Olaf Christmas Festival. It was spectacular - beautiful music from a large choir and orchestra and a celebration of Christmas. We had a beautiful drive through the hills and valleys of northeast Iowa and southeast Minnesota, and visited several country churches. This is Valley Grove Church near Nerstrand, Minnesota and is actually two churches (the older one on the right is used as a reception hall). In the corner of the cemetery stands a large oak tree almost 5 feet in diameter, just beyond it prairie and hills rising above the surrounding countryside. On this afternoon it was cold and very quiet, the only sounds were some stubborn oak leaves rattling in the northwest winds.

A New Project: TRANSITIONS Images From The Driftless Area

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 17:27:42 -0600

I have been starting to work on images and ideas for a new project, and will add a gallery of these images as a work-in-progress in the near future. The ‘Transitions’ idea refers to the landscapes, the people, the weather of this area of southwest Wisconsin, and even the passage of time. Most of the landscapes will be man-altered, and I will be photographing small towns and people as well. The driftless area itself is an area of transition, and I hope to explore this theme as the project progresses. The image above shows several transitions: from Autumn to Winter in November, from a bare landscape to one covered in the first snowfall of the year, from field to county road, from light to dark in the late afternoon and from past to present with the old windmill. I plan to utilize the square format for these images - I like the balance and order of a square image and the challenges of finding a composition that works. This image (Cty Road U/Iowa County) was shot with a Hasselblad film camera on Ektar film. I am looking forward to exploring the driftless area for this project. Prints will be available in any size up to about 30”x30”.

November Woods and Light

Tue, 8 Nov 2011 12:13:51 -0600

This is a time of year I always look forward to - the shorter days make for some beautiful light and I’m often able to photograph throughout the day, and the falling of the Autumn leaves reveals the trees and woods again. There is also a lot of color in the woods, although it is much more subtle than a few weeks ago. We all know people who really dislike this time of year because of the darkness and short days, and because of the impending cold of Winter, but I enjoy seeing the landscape at rest after harvest and I am attracted to the woods. This image was made in late October 2010 and shot with the 6x17cm panoramic camera and Nikon 300mm lens on Provia film.

October Sky

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 09:15:33 -0500

One evening last week I was working in my office when I noticed some beautiful reflected light and color coming through my south facing windows. I grabbed the camera and ran outside and was given the gift of a spectacular sunset. I watched and made some pictures for about ten minutes, then it was over. I liked this image with the clouds reflected in the windows of my garden shed. Panasonic GF1 with 14-42mm lens handheld

Chore Time - Getting The Cows

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 16:02:45 -0500

This image brings back a lot of memories for me, and for many who have grown up on a dairy farm. It is evening chore time, and often times starts by having to go get the cows. There is always a lead cow or two that gets to the barn first, and always a slowpoke or two that pull up the rear. On an October day like this going to get the cows is a very pleasant way to start evening chores. This scene took place just over a week ago in a valley south of Barneveld.

Wisconsin Bike Tour - Chippewa River

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 12:50:03 -0500

This image was taken on a bridge over the Chippewa River between Durand and Eau Claire on a short trail that connects the Chippewa River State Trail and the Red Cedar State Trail. The image gives a good feel for what the bike trip was like - beautiful landscapes, quiet roads and trails, and local history. The Chippewa River is an area with a lot of history, much of it connected to the lumber industry and the great push for timber cutting in the North woods in the late 1800s. This was a quiet spot off the beaten path, a perfect place to enjoy the quietness of the Chippewa River valley. I have frequently driven through this area on my way north to Lake Superior, but this is the first time I have been able to slow down and spend some time enjoying the landscape and history of the area.

Wisconsin Bike Tour - Chippewa County

Tue, 4 Oct 2011 08:23:17 -0500

This image from our bike tour is from Chippewa county, just west of Cornell. This trip was the first time I have spent any time in this area, usually I just pass through on my way to the North Woods of Wisconsin or Minnesota. Cornell is a nice town of about 1200 people, with a nice state park nearby (Brunet Island) and the Old Abe State Trail ends here after 16 miles along the scenic and historic Chippewa River. Cty E is a Rustic Road that runs north along the Flambeau River, and is representative of many of the wonderful rural roads that we travelled on - beautiful views, rolling hills and light traffic. Riding a bike and experiencing life at 12 mph is a rich experience - you get the sights, sounds and smells of the landscape, and seem to have more interaction with people along the way. I think this is because you are traveling slow, and maybe because it is easier to approach someone on a bike. More on that in future blogs regarding our trip.

We Made It!

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 10:53:15 -0500

Karla and I successfully finished our bike ride across Wisconsin. We started at the Point of Beginning near Hazel Green on the Illinois border and finished at Cornucopia on Lake Superior. We rode 549 miles over 10 1/2 days, and took one rest day in Eau Claire. I have about 500 images to get through, and look forward to adding several blog posts in the next few days. We saw beautiful farmland, the North Woods in Fall colors, great rivers like the Mississippi and Chippewa, and much, much more. We stayed at Mom & Pop motels and ate at small local diners and cafes, as well as a traditional North woods supper club. The trip reaffirmed our love for the beauty of Wisconsin, and our belief that Midwesterners are some of the nicest, friendliest people in the world. More to come.

Green’s Prairie, York Township

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 07:13:25 -0500

On Friday Karla and I took a long bike ride and explored York Township. We found this cemetery, which I knew of, but had never found before. It is called Green’s Prairie Cemetery and was founded in 1846 as the first burial ground in York Township (originally it was called York Prairie Cemetery). The native prairie has been reestablished, and the only maintenance that is done is a yearly burning. It was beautiful in it’s late Summer glory, a mixture of native grasses and flowers. It reminded me of something I read years ago, and have included below.

A Portrait of Harold

Tue, 2 Aug 2011 13:56:56 -0500

A couple of weeks ago I photographed Harold at his garden in Lone Rock. Harold is 91 years old and saw heavy action in the South Pacific in WWII. He has lived in the same house with his wife for over 60 years, and has an extensive garden in his backyard.

Summer Tiger Lilies and Abandoned House

Fri, 22 Jul 2011 14:25:10 -0500

I photographed this old house while bike riding last week. It is located west of Argyle, on the way to Yellowstone Lake. Many of my photographs this year seem to reflect the themes of change, the passage of time and a certain loss that I feel in these places. I made this image with a Panasonic GF1 and 14-42mm lens.