Daniel Ruf

At Last!

"Look and think before opening the shutter.  The heart and the mind are the true lens of the camera."

Yousuf Karsh

Finally...a landscape.  It's been a while since I've posted a landscape...a new landscape, and while I enjoy capturing flowers and still life's, I was really  needing open space devoid of 30 mph winds and pouring rain.  On this particular evening I was actually working with some wildflowers, but noticed the signs of what could be a beautiful sunset.  I made hast to find a rural road and a subject. 

It was a beautiful evening and while waiting for the "fireworks" to start I had time to soak it all in...the greening of rural America and one of Iowa's enchanting skies.  Oh, how I love the light!  This is an HDR processed in Photomatix software.  It's a nice start for the summer season, which is fast approaching

Thank you for taking the time to visit and I hope you are all enjoying the trailing edge of Spring.

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

Offerings

"I think if you shake the tree, you ought to be around when the fruit falls to pick it up."

Mary Cassatt

The last few days our part of the world has been fortunate enough to experience a few days of fog and, to paraphrase Dorcas Lane of "Larkrise To Candleford"..."Fog is my only weakness", I've been out exploring a lot of different nooks and crannies.  On the day of the blog image I found an area of ground fog, while on the road, and was pretty excited since it was a perfect background to a farmstead that I've wanted to capture for a long time.  The perfect sunrise colors made it all the better so I made a hard right turn to find a set up location to wait for the "announcement" of the colors.

The image was processed through Nik HDR Efex Pro, then Photoshop CS5 and finally some touches in Nik Color Efex Pro 4.  Color Efex provided the Tonal Contrast correction and also the use of the Split Neutral Density Grad Filter which are two favorites and with the brush tool in the software filter allows the opportunity to paint the effects on the image.  The Nik brush tools and the U-point technology are great to use for those subtle touches throughout an image.

While working on this piece it wasn't too difficult to remember past mornings on the farm...out early to start chores, then in for a hardy breakfast at about 9 a.m. and then back out 'til noon.  While the days were long and full there was always a sense of pride in the American Heartland that went with the work no matter how compelling the day.

Thanks for visiting the site and don't forget to stop to take a deep breath...Spring is here, my friend.

A big shout for the Baylor men's and women's basketball team for having won their way to the final eight of the NCAA tournaments.  We're so proud.

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

You Can't Take The Farm Out Of The Boy!

"Family, work, familiarity.  Listen, if I had a magic wand and could make myself really be happy, I'd zap myself onto a farm.  And I know nothing about a farm."  Scott Baio

The city is where I grew up, but through some magic I spent my adult life as a farm owner.  There were times when it wasn't pretty, but it was fulfilling.  For that reason I can't seem to avoid an attraction to hay mows and other barn interiors.  To me they hold the history of our growing country and it's hard not to be impressed by the visions that reside in these vanishing places.

The blog image is one of several that I came away with from a heritage farm nearby.  There story is always the same...I start by shooting a bigger picture, but get caught up in the intricacies of the place.  While I have a few props that find their way into the scene there are always items of the previous owner, and then, of course, the textures of the barn itself.  Telltale markings of work and play, aging and strength, family and solitude.  I'm comfortable in these places and I'd like to think it shows in the offering.

As with much of my work nothing is a "one click wonder" (as if there really is such a thing) and this image spent a few days developing...a touch here, a touch there, but isn't available lighting beautiful?  And, as was the case then and now, there is that farm cap, that signature of many a farmer/teacher that I've known, each with a handsome faded stained "finger print" that defined the person and occupation.  I still wear mine with some pride as my lifetime membership card of a fraternity of living on the land, with the land.

To all of you that make this a stop during your crowded day I say, thank you.  The tail of winter is passing and I can see Spring.

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

Farming Memories

"You can't wait for inspiration.  You have to go after it with a club."  Jack London

The kind of things I find while traveling the country roads can be funny and the blog image is one of these.  When I saw this old tire leaning against a fence post my first thought was, since I'm a retired farmer, somebody had a really bad day.  I've been there and remember some occasions when the tractor is running fine, the field is smooth, and the weather is beautiful...and then a tire blows.  If this happens on a car it's a big deal, on a tractor in the middle of a field it's a day cruncher.  Not only is it a struggle between man and a "beast" the repair gobbles up time and time has a premium price during the summer.

Luckily, with camera in hand, there were some beautiful clouds to form a background to this knarly subject and positioning was the next subject at hand.  High, low, left or right...finally my right hand dominance played into the decision.

The image was captured for HDR processing in Nik software with some minor adjustments in Photoshop CS5 and Nik Color Efex Pro.  As with a lot of my work the "tweaking" continues, but I know that this shot will probably never hang in my gallery space at A Piece Of Work in Spirit Lake and it will probably never leave the confines of my computer, but sometimes a person has to take advantage of those interesting stories that present themselves.

Kind of like life, don't you think?

Thanks for joining me here...see you next week.

Sic 'em Baylor 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

Refining

"I don't really have studios. I wander around, around people's attics, out in the fields, in cellars, anyplace 

I find that invites me."

Andrew Wyeth

A few days ago my good friend Mike Houge (www.mikehouge.typepad.com) joined me at a heritage site near his home that is a collection of farm home and outbuildings including a barn.  Up until now snow has been a fleeting memory this winter, so we've had to entertain ourselves with subjects that don't include drab backgrounds.  There were a couple of areas in this barn that solved those issues and we set up shop for a long afternoon of photography.

Even though we were in the same area of the barn at one point we both were occupied with different subjects and were either mumbling to ourselves or trading "pot shots" at one another.  At some point I realized, from the activity and mumbling, that we were each refining our approach or vision relating to our particular subject.  This got me to thinking about how much we both have changed our approach and creative vision over the years that we've know one another. It's my belief that a lot of this is an occurance of time spent with photography, or any medium of art for that matter, including sitting in front of a computer defining our own visual concept of a subject. 

In my work experience, whether it has been machining parts for a large company or dealing with the everyday demands of livestock farming, time and knowledge have determined the approach and results with respect to all my endeavors, even personal growth (the last being the one of most demand!)

The blog image resulted from an afternoon of excitement...first when I saw this cluster of horse collars and then when I began to invision the possible outcomes.  Image capture was with a Canon 5DII with processing taking place first in Nik HDR Efex Pro, then Adobe Photoshop CS5 and final developments coming with Nik Color Efex Pro 4 and Nik Silver Efex Pro 2.

Thank you all for making the stop at this blog site and I hope that you have gained some insite about the thrill of photography.  Please feel free to comment or ask any questions.

Sic 'em Baylor 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

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

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!

Hats?

"Making the simple complicated is commonplace;  making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity."   Charles Mingus

My home away from home in Texas is my sister's house, which is a comfortable log home with a lot of character.  When I make my way to the upstairs bedroom where I stay I always pass this scene of hats and have always promised myself that I would take the time, someday, to work with this still life setting.  Finally, on a recent trip, I managed to get some time when the house was quite and void of grand kids running about and I couldn't resist any longer.

The room is naturally dark with it's rich wood interior walls and also from the canopy of trees that protect the house from summers raging heat.  Lighting was problematic, since I had only a modular flash at my disposal, so I decided to "paint with light" using a table lamp.  My experience with painting with light once again proved what a nice lighting alternative that this can be since it not only blends, but also evens out the lighting, which this scene needed.

After processing in Photoshop CS5 I made a few adjustments in Nik Color Efex Pro 4 and then worked on changing the reflection in the mirror as it was really complicated with background distractions.

While working with the scene I couldn't help but review that "hats" that all in our family wore from our father and mother to my wearable, useful collection of farm "toppers".  Much to my wife's concern, I continue to wear a number of "baseball" style hats that covered my head during my farming career, along with my assortment of t-shirts.  It's a reminder to me of the benefits and challenges of farm life.

Thank you for visiting and feel free to comment.

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

Peep Hole!

"I've found that even after nearly 30 years of doing this, there are still surprises that rear their heads at various times and I truly believe that 51% of an images success takes place in the darkroom."

John Sexton

This past week I was traveling some back roads when I came upon an historic site that is about an hour from my home in Spirit Lake.  I had spent a few days being cooped up in the house and felt it was time to "grease" the wheels and this place seemed to be a place to start.  After about an hour of random searching, shooting and re-shooting I noticed, through a window in one of the farm sheds, a luxurious stream of light coming through another window, but I couldn't tell what was in the room due to the height of the viewing window I was looking through.  Of course all the doors were padlocked from protection from vandalism so I was stuck with an opportunity I couldn't reach.

I took a few steps back from the shed to see if it would improve my elevation to get a view and then  walked around to the window of the streaming light to get a peek, but it was wearing a coat of years of age. What to do?

As I walked back to the front of the building I noticed, down near the base of the foundation, a small 4 inch square hole, probably for the resident cat for "mousing" and wondered if I could get a look in the hole.  Getting down at a snakes eye level I saw the above scene and thought "Oh, my gosh", or something to that effect.  Now, would the lens fit through the hole?  Again, with creaking of knee joints and grunting I was able to slip the lens through the whole and had enough maneuvering room to get this image.

The capture was processed with Photoshop CS5 after going through the Nik HDR Efex software and then treated with filters in Nik Color Efex Pro Complete.

With much thanks to the resident cat....and surprises!

Thanks for stopping by and feel free to comment on your favorite of this post.

My book "Places I've Been, Things I've Seen" 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

Gone...

"We are all traveling the vanishing road of a song in the air, the vanishing road of the spring flowers and the winter snows, the vanishing roads of the winds and the streams, the vanishing road of beloved faces."

Richard Le Gallienne

...but not forgotten! 

This scene was one of many that I viewed from my farm home near Milford, Iowa as I looked north from the living room windows.  It was from this vantage point that I could see a sunrise beginning to form as an alert to grab the camera, jump into the truck and get to a favorite spot for a sunrise composition.

Sadly, this farmstead is gone now, burned and buried deep under cropland, never to be seen again.  This has been repeated many times in the last 10 years as farmers work to gain more cropping acres for expansion.  While we are burying our history,  we are also destroying some precious wildlife habitat, that, in this day and age is irreplaceable.

The blog image, which I stumbled across during a search, was taken soon after I had purchased my first digital camera in 2005. It was saved for the very reason that it was what saw and I was surprised at how well digital could convey color as compared to film.   I have changed the sky as the original was blown out in some large areas and the color is tweaked to the pleasure of my memory.

Love of farming should always be done with respect to love of the land for we only abide here for such a short time.

Thank you for stopping and feel free to comment.

My book "Places I've Been, Things I've Seen" 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