Daniel Ruf

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!

You Just Never Know

 

"Vision is the art of seeing what is invisable to others."  Jonathan Swift

Northwest Iowa has its share of beautiful skies and sometimes the trick is to find something to put in front of a good cloudscape as was the case with this image taken on a warm, humid July afternoon.  While driving down a country road it was easy to see that this bank of clouds could be the beginnings of an interesting image and as I was scurrying around I just happen to come upon this set of grain bins that needed a background.  As I was setting up the equipment I immediately was struck by the title before the shutter was even released.  What better title than "The Butler Brothers" sitting alone in one of Iowa's large farm landscapes?

This is a simple HDR image with some primping in Nik's Viveza 2 which helped in strengthening some local areas of the image.  I think I spent more time being amused by the way this came together and its symbolism of the Iowa landscape than any other capture that I've done.  Even my wife and I have had a few laughs about its suitability for framing, especially considering that greeting cards have flown out of the rack and the first framed edition was purchased soon after it was hung.  It is definitely the type of setting that is only going to appeal to a specific customer, and, as I am finding out, not always a farmer.

It's not unusual to fall in love with a subject while preparing to make a capture, but it has been rare that I've laughed as much from start to finish to sale with any other capture that I've made to date.  I hope that I have many more such experiences during future travels.

For more views of my work visit;

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

"Art On 16th"  http://www.hankhallarton16th.com

Artisans Road Trip www.artisansroadtrip.com  

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

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