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

Past To Present

"A Picture is the expression of an impression.  If the beautiful were not in us, how would we ever recognize it?"  Ernst Haas

My college art professor, James Green, was also my employer, as I was his weekend yard keeper and all around handy man.  One of the vivid memories about his yard is that his cottage was surrounded by fragrant Lily Of The Valley, and since then I have been rather fond of them.

In the past few years one of my early Spring rituals has been to find a suitable cluster of these flowers to photograph, but I've come up empty handed until this past week.  Quite by accident I was walking through a wooded area trying to energize my creative spirit when I came upon a few lily plants along the trail side. 

While the lighting was, I thought, very contrasty mid day lighting, as I laid down on the small path my viewpoint improved dramatically.  As I've always told class participants, a change in elevation can make a dramatic change in photographic options, I was quite pleased with the new viewpoint.  Specular high lights developed in the background as well as a better point of view for the flowers.  The camera; my Nikon D300s with a 28-300mm Nikkor lens and a lens extender, which turned the lens combination into a macro lens.  WIth this came a softening of the background as well as the highlights causing the flowers to be "front and center" in the composition.

Later, in the editing process I decided to do a digital watercolor of this image with the help of the Alien Skin Snap Art software and my own use of Photoshop CS5's digital brushes.  While this is one of my first attempts at using the digital watercolor palette I'm pleased with the outcome.

While shooting this scene my mind fluttered back to the afternoons that I spent digging, weeding and tending to Mr. Green's gardens.  It also reminded me of the hours of patient tutelage that I gained while attending his class or tending his yard.

"Mentorship" is so important in a persons everyday life, whether it be a second grade teacher, a workshop instructor, or trusted friend.  It accelerates and empowers growth in all of us to propel us ahead on life's journey.

Thank you all for joining me at this blog site and I hope that Spring has been as enjoyable for you as it has for me...a time of growth and expression.

Sic 'em Bears!  Headed toward the Big 12 baseball championship!

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

Candy

"Excellence is not a skill.  It's an attitude."

                                    Ralph Marston

To me doing close up photography is like eating candy...I just can't stop.  The image in last weeks post was taken after I had been frustrated with the days of Iowa winds and lack of tulip "portraits" from my garden.  I know, I could/should have figured away to work with the elements at hand, but my mind was set to a different tune.  I clipped a tulip, brought it into the house to get to work.

That same tulip found it's way to our kitchen counter, and fortunate for me, under a ceiling light by sheer fortune.  During the evening the light was on and there was a beautiful glow caused in the bottom of the tulip.  My attention was peaked and play began.  This story is so simple I've since shared it with my photo class participants and it goes like this. 

After the recognition of possiblity I looked for a background...it was a blue trash can, which I placed a couple of feet behind the flower in the kitchen sink.  (you got to use the props available!)  Being satisfied with the blog image at right I then started bringing out some of my wife's clothes...colored shirts, scarves, etc. to supplement as back drops.  It's a habit that my that my wife doesn't even question anymore. 

 
It doesn't have to be difficult...just fun!

Check out my friend Mike Houge's site, www.mikehouge.typepad.com to see the beautiful flower/close up work he's been up to.

Thanks for showing up at my site and take your family out to enjoy the Spring sites.

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

Another Look

"When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would  hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, 'I used everything you gave me'."    Erma Bombeck

Last fall I came upon this scene during a different time of day and season. (see the Oct. 2, 2011 blog post).  I was quite happy with the dramatic lighting as well as the new find which led to the final image in the aforementioned post. 

A few weeks ago I was back at the same location absorbed in shooting still life arrangements in an old barn and the farm house (last weeks post) and had pretty much spent a morning of quality time and sunlight.  As I was gathering my gear to leave I looked over to this outbuilding with the idea of investigating the lighting inside (which has to be view through a small hole near the floor since the building is locked), but decided that it probably wasn't much different than the past and wouldn't have the directional lighting from the window on the left.  My "guilty" conscience got the better of me and I finally walked over to peek into the front windows.  I couldn't believe the light falling on the milk cans and began rushing around to set up camera, lens and tripod. 

As I stated earlier, the only possible shot is through a "cat" hole near the floor and lens choice is limited due to the size of the hole.  But, with stiff bones I was able to lay on the ground to get everything in position and......click!

The lesson?  NOTHING is EVER the same with ANYTHING!  A lesson I am reminded of on many occasions.

Sic 'em Bears!

Thanks for visiting and enjoy this beautiful Spring.

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

Don't Miss The View

"Even if you fall on your face, you are still moving forward."   Victor Kiam

It's no secret to my wife that I have my share of bad habits or failings since I manage a repetitive use of any one of them on a daily basis.  My mistress, photography, also brings up the subject frequently, but in this case I usually am more mindful of the instruction.  One thing that consistently has control is this notion of being so focused on a destination that I miss the the entire journey and a good case in point is when traveling.  If I'm bound to get to Duluth, or any other place for that matter, the estimated time of arrival is carved into my brain and all attention is focused on this one achievement, except, of course, those necessary stops at the McDonald's drive thru.

I've found that this also takes hold when camera work is completed.  If it's been a successful shoot my brain will have a pretty good idea of the "highlight" shot or shots (if I'm so lucky to enjoy the plural form) and when I gather my excited self in front of the computer it is the chosen direction to find the particular capture, process/edit it and pronounce the yeah or neah of the scene.

As many of my posts have mentioned the winter weather here in Northwest Iowa....well, it just isn't.  The brown skeletal scenery is still missing the white blanket of winter and the beauty that it leaves for us to enjoy.  In order to curb the frustration my usual solution is to read about photographic processes, organize my file system or do still life photography. 

The blog image is an example of what's wrong with my "get there at all cost" approach as it applies to my editing process.  I found this in a file of work from about 2 years ago and I can actually remember the trip since I was in a mode of wanting some shots of the wind generators that have taken over our landscape.  How or why I passed this capture on the way to the editing process I will never know, but it is proof that one should at least view the journey, or in this case the body of work, that gets recorded.

Thank you all for your generous tolerance.

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

It Must Be March

"Deep in their roots, all flowers keep the light."  Theodore Roethke

As the snow has just about disappeared from our region of the country and the balmy southern winds have brought warm temperatures, it seems so much like March, but I know this is a trick by Mother Nature to confuse those that are so silly as to believe what is before us...to catch us off guard.  It is because the black earth is showing that I have decided to go "underground" to begin doing still life work in order that the creative juices can find a release.

Still life work doesn't require much at all, a little window light, some ordinary props from around the house and maybe a flower or two from a local florist and one can easily set up shop on a dining room table or some other favorite area where the surroundings make little impact on the subject.  I continue to find them enjoyable to do and another lesson of visual understanding.

The top blog image incorporates some of my favorite stand-in's...flowers, books and baskets and once the articles of interest are selected the development of a setting begins.  This not only involves use of light and placement to take advantage of the light, but also the restrictions of the room, background and table.  In this case the reflection of the flowers in the foreground was about as important as the basket prop in the background.

The camera was a Canon 5D Mark II with a Lensbaby lens on the front and, as with any other photographic subject, minor movement of camera or self is important to tweaking the final outcome.  The "tweaking" is really what the still life is all about, after the subject parts are selected, to achieve a natural placement of subject items.

The capture was an HDR processed in Nik HDR Efex Pro, then Nik Color Efex Pro 4 to make subtle changes and finally processed through Alien Skin's Snap Art 3 which is where the painting transformation occurred.  I was relatively sure at the outset that the original capture would be finalized as a painting and it's what I find most enjoyable about digital photography...the ability to "visualize" a final outset to a capture while still in front of the subject.

Change is a primary declaration of life as it also is in the artistic world.  There may be subtle or grand adjustments, but all should be for the betterment of a person, a process, or the art. 

One final note is that on opening the book, placing it on the table and arranging the flowers I gazed in some surprise at the title of one of the poems "The First Flowers".  Prophetic?

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

 

 

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

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!

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