What to do in winter?

Well, you go out and shoot some winter scenes, of course. Snow can make for some very pretty photos. Like this scene here that I shot locally a few years ago. But, let's get real, most of us aren't going to spend as much time outside as we would during warmer times of the year... hence, the question.

What else can I do? Let's see... scan old slides. Update the website. Organize my file system. Oh, there's lots to do... just most of it is tedious and not nearly as much fun as going out and shooting.

Alas, that is my goal for this winter. At the very least I want to scan ALL my old slides so that I can then sell my film scanner. Yeah, that's the ticket. I can still be productive photographically.

Has it really been over two weeks since my last blog post?

Contests

Today my photo club held its annual photo contest. I did pretty well. You could say I was pleased. It was nice to see several people who don't normally win at our smaller monthly contests get awards at this one.

There's something about contests, though, that makes them unique. First off, they're VERY subjective. You are at the whim of the judge(s) and their preferences and biases. And second, selecting photos for a contest is not like selecting a photo to hang on your wall.

When selecting a photo to hang on your wall, you pick something that pleases you. You have time to stare at it, and ponder it, and appreciate its subtleties. When selecting a photo for a contest you have to select based on a "Wow!!!" factor... you have to grab the judge(s) attention in a split-second. Sometimes they really are great photos, sometimes they are not upon closer inspection.

The photo I have here won second place in the "Anything Goes" category. The judge liked it for its creativity. It does have something that appeals to me, but I always think I can do better on this one. Maybe I'll have to do a better version to hang on my wall.

Oh, how I love a good sunset...

...and it's even better when you can get a good silhouette in there, too. It just doesn't get any better than that.

This shot is from the State Capitol grounds in Des Moines, looking west toward downtown. I have other shots of the downtown itself in silhouette that will find their way to the website and/or here eventually.

Oh, and just in case you haven't heard, Iowa Landscape Photography is having a Holiday Sale through the end of November. Be sure to check out the details at http://www.iowalandscapephotography.com/contact.html .

Catch-Up Time

We have had a truly wonderful autumn this year. Bright, sunny. Just great. Very dry, also, which is unusual. Until this past week. Finally had some precipitation and it's now starting to get a tad cold. What a great opportunity to spend some time inside and catch up on things like photo finishing, the blog, the website, and other endeavors!

And I had a lot to catch up on, let me tell you.

This entry's photograph is from a photo club photo shoot a couple weeks ago in nearby Palisades-Kepler State Park between Cedar Rapids and Mt Vernon. The scene is the Cedar River through some trees and some fall foliage.

Due to the unusual and extended dry period, autumn has been a bit disappointing this year, but I have been able to pull a few nice shots out... like this one. I guess today's moral is that there's always something somewhere to shoot. Can't give up too easy.

Oh, and don't forget to check out the website. We have extensive updates and additions, especially in the New Additions Gallery and the Miscellaneous Gallery.

Road Trip!

Three states... round barns... the SPAM Museum... and a mechanical baby... all in one day. If that doesn't have all the makings for a big day, I don't know what does.

We had the nephew Kenneth for our promised trip to the SPAM Museum in Austin, Minnesota. He had his mechanical baby thing for some middle school class he was doing. (Rarely cried, which was nice)

Headed out about 5 a.m. Up to McGregor, Iowa, crossed the Mississippi River and up the Wisconsin side, crossed back into Iowa at Lansing, Iowa. Caught this round barn just outside New Albin, Iowa. Then on into Minnesota and our ultimate destination, the museum.

It was really quite the fun trip. This particular round barn... octagonal, actually... was built roughly 100 years ago and is still in daily use. It is harvest time and the place was busy.

I'll have to see what I can do about more photos from the trip. It seemed like every time we'd turn a corner, there was another scene that made us stop.

Oh, and the SPAM Museum? It was actually pretty interesting. Much more so than any of us thought it would be. Are we dorks, or what?

I Taught a Class Today

I am not a natural teacher. I lost sleep the last couple nights over this. I was worried it would fail. I was hoping it would be canceled due to lack of interest. I ended up doing it because nobody else in my photo club would and I felt obligated since it was my idea to begin with. See... my photo club is obligated to teach two to three classes each year in exchange for free facility rent, and I suggested this particular format as a change of pace. I was all set to say "never again" even before it started.

In the end, it worked out ok.

Only four people signed up. This was good, I think. It helped those who did sign up get what they needed rather than being lost in the crowd. They were all enthusiastic and eager. I felt that they all left having learned something. I ended up enjoying myself much more than I thought I would.

Later in the day it hit me... the fortune. One of my favorite sayings is from a fortune cookie... "The best teacher is also a student.". In other words, if you really want to learn something, teach others how to do it. Nice. I like that.

Now, this does not mean I am going volunteer for everything that comes down the pike? Oh, no. But, I might be less prone to dismiss an opportunity out-of-hand.

The harvest is coming...

Each season has it's good points and bad points. If you look, there's almost always something to see. Something interesting that might not necessarily be noticed when one is in a rush, however.

This time of year can be like that. I'll grant you that photo opportunities might not be as many and as varied as other times of the year. We have left the greens of spring and summer, and haven't yet reached the full glory of autumn. But, the golds and browns of harvest time can have their own intrigue when they contrast with other colors and features in their surroundings.

A good example is this golden field ready to be harvested and its contrast with the green trees with just hint of turned color and the red barn peeking out. It's really quite nice, and a portend of things to come.

And to think I almost drove by it at 60 mph and barely caught it out the side of my eye. Obviously, I had to come back for this one.

Ch-ch-ch-changes! (and updates)

Ok, that's kinda lame. But, I have made some changes. I don't know if these will make things simpler or more complicated, but here goes...

Now, if you don't have an official link to click, you can access the website via www.iowa-photo.com . The intent is to make it easier for people to remember and/or type in manually if they need to. E-mail can also be sent to ken@iowa-photo.com .

Of course, the old standard www.iowalandscapephotography.com and ken@iowalandscapephotography.com is still there, and is technically still the official website and e-mail, just the new stuff will be forwarded automatically.

Back to the Basics

Several of the last posts have been diversions from our primary theme, and while such diversions are good for the soul from time to time, it's time to get back to the basics.... and you can't get much more basic than this scene.

Missy and I were wrapping up our morning shoot near Mt Vernon, Iowa, and after leaving the main highway and almost getting stuck in the sand of a 'Class C' county road... which means it's not much more than a goat path and is not maintained at all... we popped out on a better gravel road and continued on to see what was about. This immediately caught my eye. I had to hit the brakes and back up. (I do that a lot.)

It's both complex and simple at the same time. Complex in the many varied aspects... The classic red barn. The silos. The road leading you back into the photo. The orderliness of the farm itself. Yet, none of it competes with other aspects to monopolize your attention. Rather, they compliment each other and help pull it together to make a simple-yet-effective complete photograph.

Returning to the barn

We finally returned to the brick barn we visited earlier. Shown here is a recent photo. The owner granted us permission to look around and take photos, so we obviously took advantage of the opportunity. It was great to get some different perspectives.

This old piece... along with a similar house (which we did not get any shots of)... has a certain charm that separates itself from most other barns. A certain character. It and the surrounding grounds are well maintained, despite their age. The owners take pride in their place, and it shows.

The craftsmanship is also obvious in the original construction... painstaking brickwork, unique and consistent doors, and so on. This is the kind of thing that most people just pass by anymore. They're worth a stop to take a look.

What a Good Photo Club can do for You

My photo club hosts an annual picnic in a local park. This local park has a community flower garden. Many of us retire to said flower garden after the picnic.

Well, this year it was very hot and humid and muggy, so only about 4 or 5 of us ventured out this year. The shot here is one that I obtained that evening.

This is an example of what a good photo club can do for you.... expose you to new opportunities and encourage you to shoot. Sounds simple, doesn't it? Unfortunately, there are some clubs that are rather boorish and cliquish and don't do any of that. I would encourage anyone seeking a photo club to visit a few clubs a few times and determine if they will suit your needs.

Lighthouses, lighthouses...

Venturing outside the borders of Iowa again. We seem to be doing a lot of that lately. Visited a couple lighthouses in Michigan last week. This one is known as "Big Red", for obvious reasons, and sits at the harbor entrance near Holland, Michigan.

This one is rather unique. I honestly cannot say it is one of my favorites, bit it has a certain charm that is undeniable. It is not what most would think when they think lighthouses.

Missy and I got up early so we could get this one in the morning light. Given that this is on the east side of Lake Michigan we didn't feel that it would look interesting in a sunset silhouette. It would look like a house, not a lighthouse. I'm finding that I enjoy shooting lighthouses more than I thought I would. I'll have to re-visit some of these, and seek out more.

And, yes, it really is that God-awful red.

Color or black-and-white?

Remember that brick farm house and barn I mentioned earlier? This is the barn from that original shoot. I purposely haven't been back yet because I promised Missy we'd go when we both could go.

This is one of those shots that looks equally good in either color or black-and-white. Either way you get a sense of the subtleties and nuances that the colors evoke... even when there's no color at all. Kind of like fine line's, and the experience of years, on one's face as they get older. You know there's a story there, you just don't know what it is.

Then again, there's also little things that jump out at you as not quite right in a humorous kind of way. The cinder block holding the door closed is one of those little things that might otherwise be overlooked. As carefully maintained and preserved as this structure is, they still use a cinder block to hold the doors closed.

You can see the color version at the main website in the New Additions Gallery.

Simplicity at its Finest

What can I say? It's a gate. With no fence on either side, no less. But... it's a strangely attractive gate in a peaceful nostalgic kind of way.

I have been intending for several years to write a photography article about where to look when out shooting, and this is a perfect example. Across the road from this gate is a fantastic brick barn and farm house. Missy and I spent some time with those, and vowed to return some morning when the light will be better, and then this scene caught my eye as I was heading back to the car.

Nothing fancy. No real "Wow!" factor, I'll admit. Just a nice peaceful image. Sometimes that's all that's needed.

Seeing Instead of Looking

It's been a productive weekend. Fence posts, barns, corn fields, farms, gates, railroads and railroad bridges, waterfalls, and even a cow skull, are all part of the updated and new photos added. We have several new photos on the website, so be sure to visit the New Additions Gallery after you finish reading this.

All but a few of the new photos... the waterfall and the railroad bridges... were taken this weekend.

The brick barn, and the skull on the fence post look equally fantastic in black-and-white as they do in color. The detail in each of these photos pops equally in either format.

The skull photos especially reminded me of a quote I recently posted on Facebook...

"I think a photography class should be a requirement in all educational programs because it makes you see the world rather than just look at it. ~Author Unknown"

... which I think sums it up pretty nicely. These are an example of actually "seeing" the world around you and catching the little details that might otherwise pass you by.

So, until next time... peace out!

Venturing Outside Iowa...

...to Michigan, to be exact.

It's nice to get away sometimes. Explore new places. See something different.

While on a trip to see family, Missy and I decided to search for a lighthouse in the St. Joseph / Benton Harbor area (because it was the closest on our route at the right time of day for a sunset, but that's our secret), and, well... the lighthouse was unimpressive, but we did see this old railroad bridge. As you can see, it was quite imposing, and we caught it at a good time of day, too.

I know, I know, this is IOWA Landscape Photography.... hence the disclaimers that I will include some other nice scenery from surrounding states when the opportunity arises. Not to worry, though, as I did get some interesting shots in Iowa on this trip as well. I will share those in future installments. Let's just say that Sabula is an interesting place.

Thank you!

No farms or barns today. Just a random image I took at my niece's high school graduation ceremony yesterday.

As a friend of mine said on their Facebook status, today is not just about BBQs and stuff. Today is about remembering our families and friends... heroes all... who have paid the ultimate price so we can have BBQs and stuff.

Thank you to all our veterans, and that you to all our current members serving our country.

Iowans are creative. Who knew?

This has got to be one of the best kept secrets in the USA today... Iowans are creative. If you recall the Iowa Moai that I reported on before, and you combine it with this barn mural, you get a sense pretty quick that Iowans are not bland and boring. Far from it.

If you're going to paint your barn, what color would you paint it? Red? White? Eh, if you want to be like everybody else. But, if you want to stand out from the crowd you go with an eye-catching American-flag-Statue-of-Liberty-holding-an-Apple mural. Works for me.

Of course, not to be outdone, another barn down the road from this one a bit has a reproduction of Grant Wood's American Gothic painted on the front. We'll see what I can do with that one in the not-too-distant future.

Take Advantage of Opportunities

It has been raining here almost every day for the last week and a half. So, when I woke up today and it was sunny and nice out I had to get going and go take some photos.

Drove up past Anamosa and headed east on Hwy 64 and came across this scene. I though it looked interesting with the contrasting colors... greens, browns, white buildings, blue sky, etc... so I had to get a few shots. The reflection of the silo in the puddle in the foreground didn't hurt any. There's even a bird sitting on the post, and if you look real close the horses up by the silo are watching me.

What draws your attention?

Is it always the grand and beautiful? Or, do the old and dilapidated sometimes intrigue you as well? I have to admit that I am often attracted to the old and dilapidated.

Two things caught my eye about this building. One, the new-ish sign at the top which is already falling apart (which is not in this photo), and two, the flag in the window over the door.

What is it about the flag? For me, it's the telling of a story. Somebody took pride in their business and this building at some point... and the business had failed. Could have been due to the flood a couple years ago, not sure. But, the business is no longer there nonetheless.

So, why hang a flag in the window? Was it already there and just forgotten? I'm thinking probably not. I'm thinking it was purposely put there as a last gesture from an indomitable spirit who was proudly proclaiming... in spite of their business setback... that their faith had not been shaken!

That's what I see when I view this old building.

Get out and go somewhere!

Being part of a good local photo club has it's advantages. First off, it's fun. Second, it's educational. And last but not least, it provides great opportunities to get out and experience new places that you might not have thought of otherwise.

Our most recent club photo shoot was one of these opportunities. We have a monthly themed contests, and an upcoming contest theme is "architecture", so what better thing to do as a club but organize an afternoon photo shoot in a picturesque nearby town?

Mt. Vernon, Iowa, is one of those places that appears to have stepped out of the past. Old, quaint, full of character. Plus, home to Cornell College. Both the town and the college offer unique opportunities to explore and capture some nice images. It was fun to watch the town being overrun with people carrying cameras and tripods.

The attached photo shows Kings Chapel at Cornell College.

"The Man" made me do it!

You know the old cliche... the only two things certain in life are death and taxes. Well, in my drive to be legit, I am now set up in the state of Iowa to charge sales tax. I know, I know... government needs to run, but I'm not a fan of paying taxes, either. That's the bad news.

The good news is... Iowa Landscape Photography had dragged itself into the 21st century and now accepts credit cards! Woohoo!!!

The Iowa Moai

Seek, and ye shall find. Only thing is, we weren't seeking... for this.

Driving down a back country road in eastern Iowa... out in the middle of nowhere... we stumbled across a metal Moai. Like you would see on Easter Island (only the ones on Easter Island are stone, not metal). Just sitting right there in a field of grass. In Iowa.

Talked to the farmer who owned it. A friend of his made it. The farmer was quite proud of his Moai, and was clearly excited to tell us all about it. We had a great conversation with the guy, and he invited us back anytime. He says it looks great in winter surrounded and covered with snow. I think we'll go.

Expect the Unexpected.

Missy and I were driving down to West Branch to check out the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, which includes his birthplace and final resting place, and out of the corner of my eye... down a lonely rural dusty road... I see this gleaming white church steeple off in the distance. Something tells me this is going to be promising, so I turn around and go take a look.

Not only was it not disappointing, it was exciting. The St. Bridget Church and Cemetery near Morse, Iowa. The church is old, but well-maintained. The adjoining cemetery was also well-maintained and had markers and tombstones going back well into the 19th century. There are old pioneer cemeteries all over Iowa, and this is yet another aspect of the mid-west that I have come to find fascinating, but I digress.

Anyway, I have three shots posted in my New Additions Gallery ( http://www.iowalandscapephotography.com/new.html ), one of which is included here. We plan to go back and take some more shots once the trees grow some leaves.

I'm a history dork... the Lincoln Highway

There... I said it. I'm a dork... I mean, I'm a history dork. Prior to my moving to Iowa I did some research into the area and found the Lincoln Highway. Way back before interstate freeways, the U.S. Highway system, and even most paved roads, there was a move to create a highway system and link the country. Various associations popped up, each promoting their own routes and agendas. The Lincoln Highway was one of the first and one of the only coast-to-coast highways.

This photo, while not necessarily the sexiest photo ever done, shows the only "seedling mile" in Iowa. It is between Mt Vernon and Cedar Rapids. The various highway associations could not afford to pave these highways themselves, and private industry wasn't about to do it, so they came up with the "seedling mile" concept.

The "seedling mile" was a 1-ish mile stretch of high quality concrete highway paid for with private funds, usually placed in rural areas. The idea was that drivers would curse and grumble over the horrible mud or dry & pitted road conditions, then they would come across a gleaming new concrete roadway and fly down the road loving every minute of it. Then, hopefully, these drivers would pressure their state or local legislators to build complete concrete highways... which they eventually did.

Is It Spring Yet?

What is it about winter that makes you want to hibernate? On the one hand, I have gotten so much done in creating my new website, starting this blog, catching up on some post-processing, and so on.

On the other hand, I have done virtually zero shots this winter. I see many good opportunities. I make plans to bundle up and go out. It doesn't happen as often as I'd like.

I am so looking forward to Spring. My goal is to hit the road every chance I get... while still keeping the lawn mowed, of course... and greatly expand my Iowa and midwest selection of photos. Farm scenes, panoramas, historic, wildflowers, and on down the line. Happy shooting!

Almost too late!

So... Missy and I head out to try and catch some winter sunsets. We head out a little late, and the sun doesn't wait, so we're "flying" down the roads as fast as we dare while being careful to not slide off into a ditch. The one scene we think looks promising... isn't.

A little further down the road we see a good location, but it'd be better suited to a morning shot, so we make note of it and vow to come back.

Then, as we're heading home, resigned to a stunning lack of success, we see this barn. The backlit sunset, the barn itself, the snow, the bare trees in silhouette... looks like it'd make a very nice photograph. It's freezing, and my fingers get cold pretty quick, but I get the tripod set up, snap off a few shots, toss everything back in the car and turn up the heater! The ride home is much more satisfying knowing that we got something.

Now you can find us!

Jumping the gun a tad, but the website is up and running. It suppose it would help if I were to actually... you know... let you know the website name, eh? Surprisingly enough, the URL for Iowa Landscape Photography is...

http://www.iowalandscapephotography.com

So, there it is. And... as a little teaser, here's a sample photo that has already gotten rave reviews...

In the beginning...

...Ken created Iowa Landscape Photography, and all was well and right with the world. Haha... if it were so easy.

We'll see what happens, but the plan is to use this space to talk about my photography, thoughts and ideas and ramblings about photography in general, Missy's and my travels in the midwest, and pretty much anything mid-west and/or photography related.

Now, just because everything is named Iowa Landscape Photography, that doesn't mean everything is limited to Iowa exclusively. All the surrounding mid-west states are included.

In the mean time, enjoy!