Daniel Ruf

The Pledge

"Freedom is never more than one generation from extinction.  We didn't pass it on to our children in the bloodstream.  It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same."

                                   Ronald Reagan

Late in August Mike Houge and myself are going to put together a joint showing of our work for the Dickinson County Nature Center as a fund raising effort for the center and it's activities.  It will be a body of work that will celebrate the area landscape as well as local sites and recreation activities.

Back in 1996 a number of people and organizations of the area put forth an effort to fund the moving and restoration of a one room school house from another part of the county to a site near the center.  Our work for this show has given us unlimited access to the interior of this school and it has been a thrill to spend time inside.

The blog image was a reminder to me of how my classroom days began when I was a youngster when every morning my class would stand and recite the Pledge Of Allegiance.  It's a distant memory now, but was brought back to me as I prepared for this capture.

I'm glad that my advancing years have not wiped away all of my memory, yet.  While the flag is a beautiful symbol, it is so much more than that to me and, I hope, go all of us.  God bless America...this great land and its people.

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

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

The Others

"The one phrase you can use is that success has a thousand fathers, and failure is an orphan.

Alan Price

I've noted before on this blog site my gratitude for those that have played a part in my growth in the photographic art, whether artist, teacher or friend and the blog image is no exception.  As many of you know I'm a follower of the work and teachings of Tony Sweet and Susan Milestone, Tony's partner.  Their expertise, as well as that of many others listed in the upper right column of this blog, have been instrumental in my growth as well as the growth of many other photographers.

The concept for this particular image came from one of Tony's instructional DVD's "Flower Photography Artistry" that is available for purchase on his website. The image here is a combination of a flower in front of one of my prints from a while back.  The print was of a field of yellow coneflowers and had been blurred in Photoshop Elements as a creative measure.

After fighting the wind on several days in the attempt to capture some images of tulips around our house I decided that indoors shooting was going to be the answer.  Our tulip beds are new and therefore don't offer a lot of background color due to the sparse populations (this will be improved over the next few years with more plantings).  I had wanted to use the background print on several occasions and this became the appropriate time to experiment.

In this case the distance of the tulip from the background is probably double the distance of the tulip from the camera and the setup is catching soft ambient light from a window to the right.  As many of you know I really enjoy doing still life photography in natural light since it is such an exceptional light full of color and softness.

Since I was working with a recently purchased used Nikon D300s I also practice the use of the overlay program which is a fabulous in camera tool that I have high hopes for as well as other camera adjustments that come with this camera.  My thanks again to Tony for his advice and guidence in this selection.

While we all are affected in some way by those that pass through our lives it is often forgotten the role, however incidental, these wonderful "exclamation points" play in ones development.  To all those in the right hand column, as well as many others, a big thank you.

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

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

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

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

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

One The Job Training

"You know, you do need mentors, but in the end, you really just  need to believe in yourself."

Diana Ross

For those of you that frequent this blog on a regular basis I really encourage you to visit the sites that are listed on the right side of the blog page so that you can enjoy a number of views and insights that other photographers have to offer.  It's how I usually start my day with the belief that I can  use all the help I can get and I'm usually never disappointed.  This morning was no exception with my visit to John Barclay's site and a bit of "humble pie" serving as a reminder of all those that have touched not only my life, but my journey in photography.

Workshop instructors, friends, fellow artists all have a claim, or at the very least a finger print on my vision, thought processes and  work ethic, which, in a large way has great bearing on the finished image.  During the course of this education I have found that there are those that one should step away from, being of little contribution accept for personal inflation, and those that become a tutor of great relevance, usually giving greatly to an individuals growth.

My most recent workshop experience has been as a participant of the Tony Sweet workshop series and, as I've noted in past posts, the time spent has left a major impression on my direction and abilities.  It's often been my feeling that if one spends the dollars to attend a workshop, no matter the media involved, that person should be exhausted by the workshops end and this certainly is the result of 5 days with Mr. Sweet and his partner Susan Milestone.

It is my hope that I will, someday, have the opportunity to sign up for a Barclay workshop as I find his verbal insights, as well has his visual artistry, to be remarkable and provoking.  As with Sweet, his following is huge and results worth considering.

The biggest mistake, in my opinion, an artist can make would be to believe they can be their own instructor, engineer, mediator, judge and jury. As with construction operation that takes architects, plumbers and carpenters to give a plan a life, such it is with artists that allow others to help stir the pot with loving care so that others can savor the visual meal.

Listen to others, accept advice, then work up a good sweat!

Thank you all for visiting this site...now go visit others at the right!

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

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