Daniel Ruf

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!

My Early Christmas Present

"To put the world right in order,

  we must first put the nation in order;

to put the nation in order,

  we must first put the family in order;

to put the family in order,

  we must first cultivate our personal life;

  we must first set our hearts right."   Confusius 

My good friend Mike and I have a standing joke between us that anytime we get within a mile of a Great Blue Heron (or any form of wildlife for that matter) we usually get the backside view of the bird when it's flying away.  It doesn't matter if we drive up, sneak up or crawl up we definitely get the confirmation of their departure by the sound of flapping wings.

A couple of weekends ago I took a few days for a trip north, camping at Amnicon Falls State Park in Northwestern Wisconsin.  While working the area I headed to the port of Superior where there are a good number of wetlands along the shore of Lake Superior and began walking the banks looking for possible subjects for later in the day.  The light was harsh, but it was getting towards late afternoon and if I twiddled my thumbs long enough the light would be right.

While I was walking along the edge of a wetland/pond area, not paying much attention to where I was headed, I looked up to find this heron right in front of me.  He/she/it looked at me, I blinked several times in amazement and then that internal/external dialogue started.  I jokingly said to self and heron..."you know that if I move to get a better angle for a shot you're going to take off, right?"  The heron casually strolled in front of me with a kind of "whose this dope" look in its eyes and I shuffled a couple of steps to see if I couldn't get a little ahead of him/her/it.  It was then that I caught myself saying..."O.k. I'm going to raise this big Canon bad-boy to my face so you better get your wings set for blast off!"  No response from the now inquiring "what the hell" face of the heron. 

It was about this time that I was really starting to believe that the good wildlife fairy was sitting on my shoulder and I'd better get serious about the surprise portrait sitting that was just a few feet away.  I had a mild tremor to do the Irish jig, but thought that was an unlikely part of the routine of preparation...but it has slipped out in past instances of photographic jubilation.

As the blog image shows, Harvey/Mable/Spot did remain long enough for some serious meditations with the camera, but soon wandered off farther into the marsh and I'm sure he/she/it was checking to see if I had my hip waders on, which I did not.  One side lesson to this capture is when confronted by an opportunity to photograph a stationary heron it's usually a good idea to not center the subject like a rank amateur might do.   And yes, I do believe I heard a departing comment from the heron concerning my inappropriate composition and background adjustment, but I'll still take this as a prize from the trip north.

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

http://www.betterphoto.com/Premium/Default.aspx?id=251674&mp=V1

 

Atmospherics

"Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed."  Mohandus Gandi

This past weekend I took off for a couple of days to do some shooting in northern Minnesota and north western Wisconsin.  Even though I promised my wife that I would stop on my way on Thursday night to catch a few winks, it turned out I counted sheep until I got tired of counting and kept driving, reaching a favorite spot on the north shore of Lake Superior by 3 a.m. on Friday.  While I waited for sunrise the vision of "sugar plum images" danced in my head as I wondered what the morning light would hold in store.  One of the problems with heading to other parts of the country to engage the camera is that it can be a crap shoot.  With camp sites reserved and time blocked out for such a trip, everything can depend on the weather and timing.

As it turned out dawns early light on Friday was dark and cloudy, which was a huge disappointment.  I knew that rain was in the forecast for Friday so I decided to spend the day scouting some new spots and some favorite spots to help in planning my weekend.  During one period of "rainlessness" on Friday I grabbed the camera and umbrella to head up to Caribou Falls to take a chance.  Half way to the falls the clouds opened up and it poured.  While standing in the shelter of a tree I decided that since I had walked about halfway to the falls I wasn't about to turn back.  After waiting several minutes I opened the umbrella and headed down to the base of the falls to make the best of a bad situation.  My idea, hoping that the heavy rain would cause a veil like screen in front of the falls, is that I could get a layering effect to the falls and the background while leaving the foreground rocks and stream clear.  Well, it may have been a good idea in theory, but it didn't happen.

The next two days turned out to be foggy most of each day, which did allow for some creative intervention from above.  The blog image comes from the Split Rock State Park area.  While waiting to get a "memorable" shot of the Split Rock Lighthouse surrounded by fog I had to settle for this alternative.  After some minor adjustments in Elements 8 I converted the image to a black and white using Nik Silver Efex Pro which really enhanced the separation of the hills.

With the help of some natural atmospherics I was able to steal a few good images before heading home on Monday, but not without being reminded that the earth does not turn on our time clock.  It seems that the farther one wanders from home turf the more difficult it becomes to get the stars to align in ones favor.  With all that being said it still was beautiful, the streams are still musical and the nights reading by candlelight in my tent, serene.

Thank you for visiting and take the opportunity to catch the tail end of summer with someone special.  The north woods tell me fall is coming...soon.

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

http://www.betterphoto.com/Premium/Default.aspx?id=251674&mp=V1

Preservation

"(A)...singular aspect of the wilderness is that it gratifies every one of the senses."  Robert Marshall

The question that often comes up from gallery patrons and passers by is why I developed an interest in photography.  My college course work in fine art was developed around both drawing and watercolor painting, which I loved very much, but somewhere along the journey to adulthood I fell under the trance of photography and then the workshop with Ansel Adams only served to fan the flame.  It is my belief, at least in my own experience, that photography is not only about capturing light in a sometimes amusing box, but also about capturing a moment of time and place.  As the population of this world and the confusion it brings with it, I think it will be important that there is more than just a record of what may be lost in THE confusion.  When looking through portfolios of other nature photographers the "oooh's and aaaah" moments are those captures that are testimony to a fraction of life on earth that may never occur again.  Whether sunrise, sunset or crashing wave, a duplicate repeat performance is not likely, at least in our lifetime.

As important as the capture of time may be the minutes or hours of anticipation while preparing for a capture are equally fulfilling on a personal basis.  While a viewer, of say this blog image, will get the full visual impression of a garden image, they will never be privy to the search, wonder and captivation of the "place".  While it is always my hope that an observer will feel the presence of a place when looking at a two dimensional print, they will not feel the dew on their skin or wind in their hair.  These "subliminal" moments are the artists reward, which will likely not be forgotten.  I cannot recall any name of a particular capture without summing up a legion of sensations about the place. 

This image "Mother's Garden", which it actually isn't, is a digital image taken through several filters in Elements 8, including "Find Edges" and various brushwork, as well as some work in Topaz plug in's.  Wild the original capture is near Amnicon Falls State Park in Wisconsin, the scene, as depicted here, reminds me of my mothers carefully tended gardens when I was a child.  A mental moment in time and place...preserved.

Honor the 4th and our great patriots, past and present and hold hands with your family.

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  

http://www.betterphoto.com/Premium/Default.aspx?id=251674&mp=V1

On The Road...again and again and again

"We are still in transition from the notion of man as master of the earth to the notion of man as part of it."

    Wallace Stegner

It was a cold and dreary trip to northern Minnesota and Wisconsin this past week and finally ended up with my coming home earlier than expected.  All was not totally lost, however, and a few photographic opportunities did surface from the cloudy conditions.  The blog image was taken at "Wisconsin Point" which can easily be missed unless one knows where the turn off is hiding.  Looking down the road a person would not be impressed by the fact that the asphalt is pock marked with holes the size of craters.  In the end, however it is well worth the trip.  In this particular case I was on the beach before sunrise and noticed this freighter in the open water.  The difficulty was deciding if it was at anchor (I'm not a sailor or boat person) or moving.  After much squinting I realized it was aimed for the harbor opening and I had to really get a move on to make it in time to take advantage of "dawns early light" and the ship entering an opening in the breakwater.

After doing the initial processing in Adobe Elements 8 I went with my Nik Color Efex Pro plug in and clicked on the "midnight" tab.  While this adjustment doesn't always produce the desired effects, with the right image it can be stunning.  With a few adjustments of the provided slide bars things began to take shape.  A heavy duty crop was necessary since a little water and sky goes a long way to making a set of bookends for the finishing touches.

This weekend will find me in Lanesboro, Minnesota for the art festival on June 20.  I'm new to this kind of event and this is part of the market testing that goes on with many artists to find outlets for their work.  It is my hope that this will go well, the skies will bless us with clarity and a bright sun, and I return enlightened from the experience.  As they say...nothing ventured,  nothing gained.

A couple of days after I return from Lanesboro I'm off to Dallas to be with my mother while she undergoes surgery to insert a stint in an artery to improve blood flow.  This is all kind of new to me since my experience with hospitals and surgery has been pretty limited.  My sister is mom's caregiver and we'll be anxiously awaiting the results of the surgery.  I suspect that we're in the same boat as many adults our age, with aging parents and the reminder that we often take for granted their presence in our lives.  It's times like this that remind me that our parents influence was very much a part of who my sister and myself have become.  It may seem like a simple statement, but in the course of a lifetime it's a huge reflection of their character and presence in our lives.

Take time with your family and thank you for coming to my blog.

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  

http://www.betterphoto.com/Premium/Default.aspx?id=251674&mp=V1

Hitting The Gravel Road

 

It would seem that this past month, since my trip to Wisconsin, has been spent mostly in a cushioned chair in front of the computer editing work or downstairs printing prints and greeting cards for gallery display.  My skin is bleaching out to white for lack of sunlight and my "mouse" arm is cranky and tired.  Of course in the film days, you know...back when there were no cell phones and memory cards, I would be complaining about tired legs and wrinkled fingers from processing film and prints in the darkroom.  So, with this technological advancement in photography we've just traded one set of aches and pains for another.  With all of that I freely admit that the digital age has been both rewarding, fun and mind expanding.

That being said, it's time to get the truck out for some running around on some back country gravel roads.  There are prairies to be scouted and flowers to gaze upon with a little day dreaming to be done between shutter clicks.  I feel like I have been sequestered in some tomb and my spirit is in need of some roaming and taking "the road less traveled" and also making a few wrong turns.  In my years in photography and rambling the  back-roads of the U.S. I  have found wrong turns to be quite successful in their photographic results.  Although my wife rarely goes with me on my cross country journeys, when I do manage to find that less traveled bi-way I still can faintly, ever so faintly, hear her question me about consulting a road map.  The nice thing about traveling by ones lonesome is that during the occasional misguided turn, no one knows it has occurred and I'm free to take the journey that my friend Mike so often reminds me to do.

It has also become abundantly clear, as occurred last evening, that trying to plot or plan the next days journey is a complete waste of time.  Such an organized activity rarely results in anything more than a headache and confusion with no results for the effort.  Lately, wanting relief of brain trauma, I pretty much let the truck point its own direction and assume that something, anything, needing photographic testimony will show up.  In all the times that I've chased hither and yon to find fog banks over languid lakes or massive cumulus clouds hanging over some flower laden prairie, all I've really accomplished was fewer gallons in the gas tank and the disappointed feeling that I should have went the other way.  In my retired state of mind I have tried to give up second guessing, and to be more trusting of the hand of the Great Spirit.  Let's face it, It knows and I don't.

  

The job of carrying bags of photo gear, mosquito repellent, tent equipment, etc. is made all the more pleasurable for the opportunity to look down all those gravel roads and around a goodly assortment of bends in the road.  Add to that the blooming road ditches and bright splashes of birches against a backdrop of pines and spruce and it really becomes difficult to make the 180 degree turn to come back home.  This is a quandary whether I'm 10 miles from home or 1,000, because there is always one more corner to peak around or one more hill in the forest trail that needs to be scoped out.

As always, grab the family, the tent and a can of beans and go find a gravel road of memories!

For more views of my work visit:

 

"A Piece Of Work", Spirit Lake, Iowa

Art Of The Vine Gallery http://www.artofthevinegallery.com

"Art On 16th, Spirit Lake, Iowa

Artisans Road Trip www.artisansroadtrip.com

"CR Gallery", Milford, Iowa

http://www.betterphoto.com/Premium/Default.aspx?id=251674&mp=V1

Toning Ones Vision

I spent most of the past week up in the northwestern part of Wisconsin near Lake Superior on a photo excursion and am just now going through the digital darkroom processes of editing and finalizing the photographic results.  While digital images are the obvious results of such a trip, educational and emotional stimulation are probably the bigger consequences of such an excursion.  So, what have I learned from the trip???

1) Amnicon State Park is a real find (which is the location of the above image).
2) It takes me at least a day to settle in to a rhythm and become comfortable with the surroundings, which also includes scouting areas that are unfamiliar.
3) There seem to be certain subjects that I am much more comfortable with.  There's a big DUH!
4) Clarity of vision is still a big hurdle and is an ongoing educational process for me.
5) Being away from the comfortable surroundings of my home base is a great task master and mind expander.
6) Pre-trip planning is a real time saver.  Another big DUH!
7) I wouldn't want to work for me!

While the editing process is so important and one of the hardest concepts for many young photographers to deal with, even at my age and experience I still find myself looking at a digital capture and wondering "what the heck was I thinking when I took this shot?".  From my experience in talking with prominent instructors at workshops, I get the impression that this is a life long dragon that shows it's ugly head on many occasions, but as long as one realizes that it's part of the process of improving ones craft it need not keep a person awake at night...although "the ones that got away" usually will.

One of the most important things that I deal with is clarity of vision, or trying to convey a beautiful scene that is in front of me.  Some of this relates to the fact that the camera lens is a two dimensional "eye" while our eye sees in three dimensions, or at least that's what our brains tells us.  But it's more than just a physical, or ocular vision.  To me what makes a nature image really successful is the emotion of place that it conveys.  This is when school is really in session and those that learn to impart the "sense of place" in a photographic image begin to move from the ranks of amateurs with visual statements that we never tire of viewing.

As stated above, the first day, at least, was an exercise in getting my creative processes going, but what really seemed remarkable to me is that once I stepped on the forest floor at Amnicon State Park things began to fall into place.  The smells, sounds and geography combined to make it a place of real  peace and inspiration.  As it turned out I spent 2 mornings and 2 evenings shooting in this area and during each of these periods there was always something new to discover, largely because of changing light and better tuned vision.

Finally, after spending 5 days getting up and on the road by 4am and not getting back to my sleeping bag until 11pm, I found myself thinking "Good Lord, I wouldn't want to work for me!"  It's not that the points of interest  were so far away, but I wanted to be at these places at pre-dawn and also way past sunset so I could  enjoy the absolute prime light.  During two morning sessions I was gifted with some fog to really make life interesting.  During the harsh light of the afternoon I put miles on the pickup scoping out other locations and wildflower areas that I could add to the shooting schedule.

Through all of this wonderful photographic wandering I was blessed with several bear sightings, all of them lumbering across the hi-way, skittering foxes, a coyote, some Piliated Woodpeckers, and the best of best, the howling of a couple of wolves at wake-up early one morning.  While paper plates and canned beans were the cuisine of the day, the ambiance was exquisite.

Here's to the "School Of Hard Knocks"!

Other sites of my work:

A Piece Of Work Gallery, Spirit Lake, Iowa http://www.apieceofworkinc.com/alcove_3.php

Art On 16th, Spirit Lake, Iowa  712.330.6007

Art Of The Vine Gallery http://www.artofthevinegallery.com/

Artisans Road Trip http://www.artisansroadtrip.com/index.htm

BetterPhoto.com http://www.betterphoto.com/Premium/Default.aspx?id=251674&mp=V1

CR Gallery, Milford, Iowa  712.338.4155