Daniel Ruf

Define Your Facination

"Whatever the medium, there is the difficulty, challenge, facination and often productive clumsiness of learning a new method: the wonderful puzzles and problems of translating with new materials."

Helen Frankenthaler

During late Fall I happened on an old farmstead that was set aside as a community park near my home.  It was the first time I had visited with the intention of treating the site as a serious photographic opportunity.  At first glance it just appears to be a cluster of old sheds and farmhouse with little desire trip my creative trigger.  After having taken some time to view all the nooks and crannies I walked back to the truck think that this was just one of those sad little plots of ground of little consequence.  Finally, I thought that if I didn't at least take out the camera I would never take the scene seriously and would drive down the road empty handed, but always curious.

Again, taking another look around, I found this shed, the exact same shed that existed a few minutes ago, but this time I realized I was fascinated by the doors, the windows and the hodgepodge placement of farming equipment.  A nice soft lighting on the face of the building and long afternoon highlights on the steel roof was enough to find a position to address this now beautiful exterior.

A little later, after the thrill of the hunt set in, I came upon what I call "the potting shed" complete with a bed of flowers and another set of an interesting door and window.  This time I thought about putting the Lensbaby lens on the camera to get an idea of what would happen with the scene and especially the highlights.

The lesson for me was two fold.  One, that if you one doesn't make the effort the "promise" will never be realized.  Two, that whenever a scene becomes difficult to decipher define the fascination, or, in other words, what trips your trigger.

Thank you for joining me today and please feel free to comment.

SIC 'EM BEARS!

My book "Places I've Been, Things I've Seen" and new book "Take What's Given" can be purchased online at-  http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/1868649

For more views of my work visit;

"A Piece Of Work", Spirit Lake, Iowa  http://www.apieceofworkinc.com

Lanesboro Art Center, Lanesboro, Minnesota   www.lanesboroarts.org

BetterPhoto.com   http://www.betterphoto.com/Premium/Default.aspx?id=251674&mp=V

http://500px.com/pigs4

Look Up

"My best work is almost unconscious and occurs ahead of my ability to understand it."

Sam Abell

A snow system has finally reached Northwest Iowa and it is finally beginning to look a lot more like winter here.  With it being mid-January I can smile knowing that March and the sites of Spring are closer than if this storm was occurring in November, as is the case in many years past.  Finally the browns are covered and I now have a new palette to work with.

The blog image is from a couple of weeks ago when things looked and felt springlike and the cloud formations were absolutely incredible in the morning.  This is an HDR panorama that required 12 captures using Nik HDR Efex Pro to develop the 4 HDR images and then, using Photoshop CS5, a 4 image stitch to accomplish the final panorama image.

As I set up at the location I was captivated by the varied cloud formations that were moving across the sky.  It really reminded me of times when I've been traveling through the northern or western plains where the land, as well as the sky, has this immense breath taking feeling that overwhelm an individual.  In this case it's good old mid-western Iowa, where, even today, we can find such wide open vistas where clouds, not corn, can be king.

Looking up can reveal surprising tapestries...if we remember to raise our eyes from their normal human positioning by tilting our head back.  It is then that your mouth will fall open whereby both neck and facial muscles are exercised to a fuller extent.

Thank you for joining me today and please feel free to comment.

SIC 'EM BEARS!

My book "Places I've Been, Things I've Seen" and new book "Take What's Given" can be purchased online at-  http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/1868649

For more views of my work visit;

"A Piece Of Work", Spirit Lake, Iowa  http://www.apieceofworkinc.com

Lanesboro Art Center, Lanesboro, Minnesota   www.lanesboroarts.org

BetterPhoto.com   http://www.betterphoto.com/Premium/Default.aspx?id=251674&mp=V

http://500px.com/pigs4u

People, Too?

"There are many teachers that could ruin you.  Before you know it you could be a pale copy of this teacher or that teacher.  You have to evolve on your own."

Berenice Abbott

Yes, I too can photograph human beings,  but I try to capture a special moment and I usually am more comfortable around family.  In the case of the first blog image the family was in San Antonio to atttend the Valero Alamo Bowl and we happen to be walking along the beautiful River Walk.  My daughter and granddaughter were on the other side feeding the pigeons, a task that my granddaughter loved to do, and, with the backdrop of the various store fronts, the right pose presented itself.

My daughter has a surprisingly deep affection for our two granddaughters, which I find incredible considering the trend of a lot of today's young adults.  Yes, she is absorbed with her Ipod, her job and friends, but when it comes to her niece's she is a first class auntie and I'm so proud of the affection she gives towards the girls.

The capture is from a Canon 50D, processed in Photoshop CS5 and then worked in the Topaz B&W Effects plug-in.  I used a transparency filter to bring a little faded color back into the image and then added a slight blur to the entire scene.  With a layer mask I then brought some of the original color back into the primary subjects and the pigeons.

In this second scene at a court yard inside the Alamo area I was hoping to get a capture of the beautiful lighting in this fountain area, but finally went with the smallest amount of "human intervention" that would work.  This was processed in Photoshop CS5 with Nik HDR Efex and then converted to a black and white using Nik Silver Efex Pro 2 which emphasized the lighting as well as the textural qualities of the scene.  Again, using a layer mask, I brought back a hint of flesh tones in the young girl.  I'm really glad that I didn't walk away from this scene and decided to wait for an opening when the crowd melted away.

I often surprise myself when I do these types of portrait situations since I spend a large part of my time searching for grand landscapes, clear waters or summer skies that are void of appearances by people.  I guess, when one really thinks about it, people probably have more of an influence on our lives compared to our surroundings which can define the person that one becomes.

Thank you for joining me today and please feel free to comment.

SIC 'EM BEARS!

My book "Places I've Been, Things I've Seen" and new book "Take What's Given" can be purchased online at-  http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/1868649

For more views of my work visit;

"A Piece Of Work", Spirit Lake, Iowa  http://www.apieceofworkinc.com

Lanesboro Art Center, Lanesboro, Minnesota   www.lanesboroarts.org

BetterPhoto.com   http://www.betterphoto.com/Premium/Default.aspx?id=251674&mp=V

http://500px.com/pigs4u

Old Friends

 

"Every moment of light and dark is a miracle." Walt Whitman

A couple of weeks ago, as with most any morning, I stepped to the front window of our house to gauge the sunrise possibilities.  There was a hint of color on the bottom of the still darkened clouds and a clear line of sky at the horizon.  No wind was stirring and there was a fresh layer of snow on the ground.  Solution...get in the truck and go.

After driving for what seemed to be an eternity the color in the sky was beginning to peak and I was still hunting for that good ol' foreground anchor.  There had to be some rural road with a nice clear shot of sunrise with a subject of interest as a lead in.  But where the heck was it?  A few moments later I hit a familiar gravel road and I knew a couple of old friends that just might be the answer.  When I pulled over to the side of the road my inner voice, you remember my inner voice, was yelling (always yelling is this voice) get out and HURRY!  A couple of minutes later and a couple of clicks later the light was beginning to fade and then...gone.  Nature waits for no one, especially a photographer.

This image is the result of merging two images at the exact same location...one properly exposed for the sky and one properly exposed for the foreground.  There are times when I prefer this method over an HDR capture, such as with fast moving clouds, which was the issue in this case.

Like regular human friends, photographic friends (subjects) are around when you really need them, and, as with human friends, they are a joy to share the morning with.

Thank you for joining me today and please feel free to comment.

SIC 'EM BEARS!

My book "Places I've Been, Things I've Seen" and new book "Take What's Given" can be purchased online at-  http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/1868649

For more views of my work visit;

"A Piece Of Work", Spirit Lake, Iowa  http://www.apieceofworkinc.com

Lanesboro Art Center, Lanesboro, Minnesota   www.lanesboroarts.org

BetterPhoto.com   http://www.betterphoto.com/Premium/Default.aspx?id=251674&mp=V

http://500px.com/pigs4u

 

 

Taking A Breath

"Luck is the dividend of sweat.  The more you sweat, the luckier you get."

Ray Koch

There were times during the prep for the holidays that I didn't know if Christmas would ever come, but when it was over I wondered where it went so fast.  Either it's age (mine) or just the fact that the commercial side of the holidays is initiated far to early for the good of humanity.  Be that as it may I was finally able to get back to some shelved work.

The blog image comes from a capture in Northeast Iowa during the summer and appeared when I rounded a country corner along a gravel road...naturally!  First the mare and then soon the colt and the fun began.  Positioning, repositioning....mare moves....repositioning....colt moves....re-repositioning....colt behind mare....waiting.....colt rolling on ground....and on and on.  Finally the right time came and click.

While working on the final image I couldn't help smile about the adventure realizing once again that "it's all about the journey", with special thanks to my good friend Mike Houge for the reminder.

May all of you special friends of this blog have a prosperous new year and thank you for your continued interest.

A special congrats to the entire Baylor Football team for their fine finish with their victory in the Valero Alamo Bowl.  What a ride!  Now on to basketball.  SIC 'EM BEARS!

My book "Places I've Been, Things I've Seen" and new book "Take What's Given" can be purchased online at-  http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/1868649

For more views of my work visit;

"A Piece Of Work", Spirit Lake, Iowa  http://www.apieceofworkinc.com

Lanesboro Art Center, Lanesboro, Minnesota   www.lanesboroarts.org

BetterPhoto.com   http://www.betterphoto.com/Premium/Default.aspx?id=251674&mp=V

http://500px.com/pigs4u

Finding Your Thrill

"...you can't always get what you want, but if you try, sometimes, you just might find, you get what you need..."

Rolling Stones (Jaggar/Richards)

Recently I was checking out a favored blog site http://www.ianplant.com/blog/2011/12/21/photographic-quotations/ and came upon a favorite quote by the writer that simply defines the challenges of photography.  I wouldn't have guessed that the Rolling Stones would be the source, since their work is way out of my musical orbit, but then again, maybe the quote is also a reminder about being in such ruts!

The blog image is just one of those situations when the search wasn't yielding anything that was exciting to me until I found myself at a location near us that got my attention.  Yes, it's just a bunch of boats and, yes, it's not a landscape and, yes, there are no flowers, but sometimes one does have to "take the ride that is available or walk home empty handed".  In this case I liked the colors, the lines, the reflections and went with the opportunity.

The image was captured with my Canon 5DII using a neutral density filter on the lens so I could achieve a really long exposure to "smooth out" the ripples in the water and gain a stronger reflection.   It is an HDR capture that was processed with Nik's HDR Efex software in Photoshop CS5. 

If there is just one important lesson that I learn almost everytime the camera comes out is that flexibility is often the best tool that a person has in their arsonal of creative vocabulary.  It's also a pretty good tool for living life!

Thank you for stopping by and I hope you have a marvelous holiday season.

Sic 'em Bears!

My book "Places I've Been, Things I've Seen" and new book "Take What's Given" can be purchased online at-  http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/1868649

For more views of my work visit;

"A Piece Of Work", Spirit Lake, Iowa  http://www.apieceofworkinc.com

Lanesboro Art Center, Lanesboro, Minnesota   www.lanesboroarts.org

BetterPhoto.com   http://www.betterphoto.com/Premium/Default.aspx?id=251674&mp=V

http://500px.com/pigs4u

 

 

Whew!

"What is the good of your stars and trees, your sunrise and wind, if they do not enter into our daily lives"

E.M. Forster

The "Through The Lens" exhibit reception went off without a hitch last night at Arts On Grand and now Mike Houge and myself can breath a sigh of relief.  There was a good crowd of people where we had the opportunity to meet with both new and old friends to discuss the body of work on the wall which was, if I say so myself, massive.  In fact, there was a hint of trepidation in the voice of the assistant when we hauled in the mountain of framed work that we had accumulated. 

As with any show, book or artist submission the showing becomes a measuring stick of accomplishments of the previous year and of the quality and growth of the work.  In my own mind a figurative stake is planted in the ground of the creative process as a marker for things to come in 2012.  It is a challenge, whether intentional or not, to move ahead, undergo new challenges and await the results and I look forward to the trails ahead.

The blog image was taken shortly after I had spent several weeks of printing and framing for the aforementioned showing.  I was tired of looking at white mat board, sick of putting frames together and eager to see if I still knew where the shutter release was located.  While standing in the dining room I began to see of hint of a glorious sunrise, threw gear in the truck and began driving for some location...any location that would offer a reflection.  I was so pale from basement dwelling with the printer that I HAD to have some color...in massive amounts.

It was given in boat loads!

As a side note the Baylor nation couldn't be prouder of its team and Robert Griffen III for bringing home the Heisman Trophy.  A  testiment to those that wait and achieve and finish strong.  Sic 'Em Bears.

Thank you for stopping by and I hope you have a marvelous holiday season.

My book "Places I've Been, Things I've Seen" and new book "Take What's Given" can be purchased online at-  http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/1868649

For more views of my work visit;

"A Piece Of Work", Spirit Lake, Iowa  http://www.apieceofworkinc.com

Lanesboro Art Center, Lanesboro, Minnesota   www.lanesboroarts.org

BetterPhoto.com   http://www.betterphoto.com/Premium/Default.aspx?id=251674&mp=V

http://500px.com/pigs4u

It's Here!

"No amount of skillful invention can replace the essential element of imagination."

Edward Hopper

No sooner had I posted the last blog when we were hit with a beautiful snow storm that covered Fall's remains with white.  It IS beginning to look more like Christmas and I'm one happy camper.

The blog image "Butler Brother's 2" is the second of what I hope will be a collection of images of Butler grain bin images...if they're not all dozed and buried before I can find enough.   Of course I'm not looking for just any grouping of bins as there has to be a bit of character involved which defines aspects of vanishing rural America.  The previous "original"  "Butler Brother's" is

Next week my friend Mike Houge and myself will hang a showing of our photography at Arts On Grand http://www.artsongrand.org/ located in Spencer, Iowa.  The public reception will be held on December 15, from 5 - 7 pm.  We both look forward to seeing and talking to all that attend.

Finally, a big shout out to Baylor Football and their #12 finish in the college standings and their bowl appearance at the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio, Texas.  Also my congrats to Robert Griffin III (RGIII) for his selection as one of the 5 Heisman Trophy finalist.  GO BEARS!

Thank you for stopping by and I hope you have a marvelous holiday season.

My book "Places I've Been, Things I've Seen" and new book "Take What's Given" can be purchased online at-  http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/1868649

For more views of my work visit;

"A Piece Of Work", Spirit Lake, Iowa  http://www.apieceofworkinc.com

Lanesboro Art Center, Lanesboro, Minnesota   www.lanesboroarts.org

BetterPhoto.com   http://www.betterphoto.com/Premium/Default.aspx?id=251674&mp=V

http://500px.com/pigs4u

Sic 'em Bears!

Waiting For Snow...

"There are no extra pieces in the universe.  Everyone is here because he or she has a place to fill, and every piece must fit itself into the big jigsaw puzzle."

Deepak Chopra

...but thinking of Spring.

 

It's been an extremely dry this past summer and fall and now we're (I'm) waiting for our first real snowfall.  The bare trees and brown earth is in need of the winter face lift which includes the occasional hoar frost and magic softness of large white flakes.

Since the winter scene is not on hand I thought I'd post a capture of Dogwood blossoms from my visit to the Smoky's in Tennessee last Spring.  As I've stated before inside time during the winter allows me to catch up on work that I've missed in the editing process for one reason or another.  It also gives me a chance to renew my memory of the moment and this was no exception.  In my opinion the Dogwoods and Redbuds of the southern climes are the ornaments of the spring forest...when we are all waiting for the flush of greens these two trees keep our attention span alert.

The second image below has been edited with the use of Alien Skin's Snap Art 3, which is another worthy palette for photography, giving the artist the opportunity to refine a direction of a particular image.  In this case I used the watercolor tool for a softening effect and adjusted the paper texture as well.

Thank you for stopping by and I hope you have a marvelous holiday season.

My book "Places I've Been, Things I've Seen" and new book "Take What's Given" can be purchased online at-  http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/1868649

For more views of my work visit;

"A Piece Of Work", Spirit Lake, Iowa  http://www.apieceofworkinc.com

Lanesboro Art Center, Lanesboro, Minnesota   www.lanesboroarts.org

BetterPhoto.com   http://www.betterphoto.com/Premium/Default.aspx?id=251674&mp=V

http://500px.com/pigs4u

Sic 'em Bears!

Remember

"Best of all is to preserve everything in a pure, still heart, and let there be for every pulse a thanksgiving, and for every breath a song."

Konrad Von Gesner

It is the "reminder" season for all of us...a reminder to be thankful for all the treasures and blessings that have stepped in our way and for those around us that make our worlds so much more special.  It is the "reminder" season for all those easily unnoticed instances of grace that garner the minutes of our day, from a simple door being opened for our entry to every smile and "thank you" that we give and receive.  All are special exclamation points of our existence put there by whatever Holy being we wish to name to add color to our lives or the lives of others.

The blog image reminded me of that as I was doing some last minute touch up's before going to the printing process.  This flower called "Sneezeweed" was a resident of a road ditch near a forest in northern Wisconsin.  Disregarding its unpleasant name there are many parts of this image that, combined, serve to give an absolutely beautiful point of view, at least for me, at the time of capture.  The shaft of light in the background which illuminated the specular high lights, the tiny environment around the subject acting as the supporting cast and the absolutely exquisite mood of the day...to some "gloomy" but to me softly exciting.

For whatever reason, as in nature, I find the simple gestures of a daily life to have great power, yet are often the least regarded.  The eloquence of grace in today's world seem to be few, but, to me, are worthy of the greatest thanksgiving, for these attitudes are the "comforter" of our being and elevate our attitude towards those around us...a sort of "pay it forward".

So, yesterday, as with many days, I gave thanks for the precious moments I've been allowed behind the camera lens as I hope they define how I "lean" towards others.  For all that view this blog site I am thankful for the time that you take to join me and for the many kind comments that have been sent my way. May we all remember daily those precious moments of grace that come into our lives and that we release outward to others.

My book "Places I've Been, Things I've Seen" and new book "Take What's Given" can be purchased online at-  http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/1868649

For more views of my work visit;

"A Piece Of Work", Spirit Lake, Iowa  http://www.apieceofworkinc.com

Lanesboro Art Center, Lanesboro, Minnesota   www.lanesboroarts.org

BetterPhoto.com   http://www.betterphoto.com/Premium/Default.aspx?id=251674&mp=V

Sic 'em Bears!