A New Year...

...time to refresh.

I decided it was time for a major update on the website itself. It took a little longer than originally planned, as the more I got into it, the more I decided to do. Moved all the stuff in the "New Additions Gallery" to their respective galleries, (temporarily) retired and/or rearranged some of the photos within the galleries themselves, and have a completely new selection in the "New Additions Gallery".

I guess you could say it was long overdue for a fresh start. What's surprising is how difficult it is to decide which ones to remove. I have them all, of course, and some photos are apt to disappear and reappear at random.

This photo is one of the shots now in the "New Additions Gallery". It is of the dome of the state capitol building in Des Moines, Iowa. When there, these views kept intriguing me, but also foiling me at the same time. However, the more I look at this one, the more it grows on me. This is a shot that wouldn't necessarily interest you as a small photo, but really does grab you as a larger photo.

Cruise on over to the website itself and take a look.

Test Driving HDR

Missy and I were on our way home from Davenport when I spied this sunset cloud formation behind this farm. It was too good to pass up, so as I slammed on the brakes and made a quick turn down a gravel road and locked an unsuspecting Missy in her seat belt as she's lunging forward and sideways with the unexpected momentum of my deft maneuvering, I knew time was critical.

To my eyes the scene was gorgeous, but I knew to the camera the contrast between shadows and highlights would be too much, so I decided to bracket and finally try my hand at HDR. What do you think?

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 .

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.

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.