Lessons I Have Learned, Pt 1: Turn Around

That's right. I said "turn around". Why? Because sometimes that's where the good shots are.

I have several examples where I went out to shoot something specific and also found a great shot simply by turning around and looking the other direction. The shot you see here is my latest example.

Now, in this case, the shot I went for was good as well, and you will see it soon enough, but there have been times when my intended shot was utter garbage, and the day was saved by just... turning around.

I decided to post the black and white version, though the color version is interesting in its own right... in a hazy sort of way.

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.