Daniel Ruf

The Gathering

"All the art of living lies in the fine mingling of letting go and holding on."  Havelock Ellis

For sometime I've wanted to gather some of the memento's of our children in order that I might begin a series of still life images reflecting some of the things I remember most about their adolescent years.  The boys were heavily involved in sports and our daughter as well to a lesser amount.

A few weeks ago I put together a collection of baseball equipment as I glanced into my own past of sandlot baseball, baseball cards and green fields of the past.  I had a place in mind as the backdrop for the remnants and some days later I took on the challenge of making a thought reality all the while the games of the children drifting in and out of my memory.

This image has been processed in Nik software from an HDR capture with following work done in Nik Color Efex Pro 4 and then a couple of light texture layers from Totally Rad followed by a mild Snap Art 3 filter from Alien Skin.

I can still hear the admonition of my wife..."Don't you dare come into this house with those cleats on" and, as a result, the backdoor to our house was usually cluttered with various sports items of the season.

I can't close this post without a big congrats to the Baylor Women's basketball team and the coaching staff for not only winning the NCAA tournament, but also for becoming the first teams, men's or women's, to have a 40 - 0 season.  We are all so proud of their accomplishment's and the time and effort everyone took to finish "UNFINISHED BUSINESS".

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

Foggy Days

"The artist is nothing without the gift, but the gift is nothing without work."     Emile Zola

The temperate weather in our area has brought a number of foggy days and fortunate opportunities to find the usual, unusual.  The blog image occurred at  the end of a morning shoot when the fog was actually beginning to drift upward to dissipate, but one last call occurred as I passed over this creek on the way home.

The capture was processed in Nik HDR Efex Pro and then further in Photoshop CS5 with touches using Nik Color Efex Pro 4 with its U Point technology as well as the brush tool to help strengthen the barns presence.

In the past year I think I've seen my approach softening a bit by being a little less heavy handed with different software approaches.  At the same time I've enjoyed the increased use of the creative choices available with not only Nik software, but also Topaz, Alien Skin Snap Art and Totally Rad textures.  My approach has been to use any of the aforementioned elements to enhance rather than cover up as I feel an image in need of a "band aid" is more worthy of the digital waste basket.

Of course this developing process (no pun intended) has occured over many years and has been influenced by reading, internet access and workshops and making a monumental amount of learning mistakes...bless everyone of them!

Thanks to all that frequent this site and please take the time to visit the links on the right to see the work of some real masters and friends.

My hopes are with the Baylor women's basketball team as they take up the challenge of the NCAA Final Four.  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

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

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

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

Snatching A Few

"The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness."

John Muir

In between the printing, mounting and framing of images I've managed to sneak out for some quick trips to keep the wheels greased.  The upper capture is from Ft. Defiance State Park and was taken after the previous post.  Obviously the bright red leaves were a major draw considering the rest of the forest was brown and settling in for winter.  It occurred to me that this might be a good time to work with my Lensbaby to separate the main subject while rendering the rest of the world in a soft painterly fashion.  The lighting was soft with some light shafts showing in the background so I positioned myself on the forest floor with the shafts a part of the composition.

The bottom capture was from a quick morning jaunt with some favorable cloud formations.  Add a few old farm structures and some harvested fields with sunrise lighting and the rest fell into place at the computer.  The image is an HDR that was processed with the Nik HDR software and then primped with Nik's Color Efex Pro 4, which I'm really enjoying.

The Fall season is quickly drawing to a close and I'm still waiting for our first snowfall, in fact I'm still waiting for ice to form on some of the local lakes and ponds.  It seems like just yesterday that I was standing on a field lane shooting puffy summer clouds with fields full of corn surrounding me.  Time flies when you're having fun.

Late braking news for me is the selection of my portfolio submission in B&W + Color magazines December issue and a merit award selection for their Color Special Issue due out in December.  It was a nice way to cap off a productive year and I'm appreciative of their consideration.

Thank you for visiting this site and please 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

Opposites

"A work of art that did not begin in emotion is not art."

Paul Cezanne

Wisking down a road in northern Minnesota brought me to this tempting little eye catcher as I topped a small hill which immediatly caused me to swerve to the shoulder for a better look.  It was horribly windy, which at first seemed to be a real downer, but having a better look and being intriqued by the combination of a rigid steel dump truck that was sporting an antique set of bed frames was a little too much to dismiss.  The solution for the wind situation was to just let the wind do it's thing so as to become a backdrop for the solid subject.  I used a Singh-Ray Vari-ND filter which alowed me to slow the shutter speed to about 6 seconds giving the wind a chance to do a creative blur with the background trees.

The capture was processed in Photoshop CS5 and the further work was done in Nik Color Efex Complete with Tonal Contrast and then Polaroid Transfer.  The gritty nature of the truck against the softness of the background seems to really harmonize well together with the bed ends being the exclimation point. 

As in life opposite combinations that confront us can come together for a fulfilling result...it's just a matter of sitting back and letting "nature" take its course while rejoicing in the unexpected.

Thanks to everyone of you that stop at my blog space and a shout out to all the great Baylor people that are part of this community.  Sic 'em Bears.

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

I Just Love 'Em

"Forests, lakes, and rivers, clouds and wind, stars and flowers, stupendous glaciers and crystal snowflakes - every form of animate and inanimate existence, leaves its impress on the soul of man."

Orison Swett Marden

A trip to the north shore of Lake Superior with good friend Mike Houge meant a few days in unfamiliar, but beautiful landscapes far from the farm land and harvest activities of Iowa.  The days were filled with autumn colors, crashing waves and miles of clouds and I think I might have gotten record of a little of each.

One morning I found myself for a second time at Stony Point, a little patch of lake shore with slabs of rock that disappeared into the water without a whimper, with a mass of clouds moving across the sky.  Many shots later the morning rays of the sun began to poke through the thick mass of clouds and the race began.

The HDR image that I had hoped for was developing some artifacts that I didn't care for so I did a layer overlay and then painted one of the original lake surfaces in.  I followed with some work with "Tonal Contrast" in Nik Color Efex Complete as well as a mild vignette around the perimeter of the scene.

Sitting before this scene it was hard to imagine any other place that would be more comfortable or enchanting.  Early morning streaks of light through a blanket of clouds will just about do it for me on any given day.  These are our gifts to be opened with joy and treated with great care.

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