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!