Daniel Ruf

Spring Finally Made It!

"To me, photography is the simultaneous recognition, in a fraction of a second, of the significance of an event."   Henri Cartier - Bresson

The morning light striking the side of this dilapidated corn crib was just enough to get my attention. The stark tree skeletons as well as the dirty snow would be an artistic definition of this past winter....cold and wicked.  This also happened to be the first day when huge migrations of geese and other waterfowl were in full swing. The background sounds of the geese along with the stunning sunrise was a complete  symphony for my enjoyment.  I'm sure that the people wizzing by in their cars were really struggling with their own reality as they passed a gray haired old guy standing behind a tripod and camera pointed at WHAT?

The image was taken with my Canon 5D Mark IV, which I think was one of the best camera purchases I've made in my life....except for the first Canon F1 years ago.  I used a Canon 70 - 200mm f/2.8 L lens (another purchase that I've been happy with) just to keep from having to cross a speedy highway.  As it turned out a sizable formation of geese did make a pass and I still had my camera mounted and waiting.

I've been trying out two new editing programs put out by Topaz; one is the A.I. (artificial intelligence) Clear, for dealing with noise like artifacts in digital images, and A.I. Gigapixel which is for magnifying sizes of images.  They both are a real surprise and do a much better job than what I had been using. Since I've been able to get much better high ISO pics with my Canon, I've been shooting more in the ISO 1600 - 2500 ranges, which wasn't possible even with the Mark 2 due to noise reasons.  A.I.Clear has been helpful to remove any noise that might come from the results of high ISO's as well as post processing issues. The A.I. gigapixel has been really helpful in upsizing digital images from years ago that had more issues with resolution caused by cameras of earlier editions. It also be helpful for producing large panorama images for metal print processing.

Both Topaz products can be used for 30 day trial options for free which give one ample time to test them out.

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the nice Spring days ahead.

Places to see more of Daniel's work:

Pearson Lakes Art Center  lakesart.com 

500px.com

Facebook - Daniel Ruf Photography  

Pocket Camera

"Creativity itself doesn't care at all about the results - the only thing it craves is the process. Learn to love the process and let whatever happens next happen, without fussing too much about it.  Work like a monk, or a mule, or some other representative metaphor for diligence. Love the work.Destiny will do what it wants with you, regardless.                                                                  

Elizabeth Gilbert

Walking everyday has been a daily agenda item for some time, but this summer I've made it a priority and in the process have been averaging  3 - 5 miles a day. I usually go out in the early morning hours specifically for the light, but if there is a partly cloudy forecast, then I'm traveling in my truck with my camera looking for sunrise and special light situations.

The "pocket phone" has been a nice tool to have along when walking. In my case it would be the iPhone as well as a library of photo apps at the ready. The good thing about having a "camera" tagging along is that it's another tool of discovery along the way. It helps keep the creative juices flowing and ready for those just right opportunities that may come along.

The blog image is from the iPhone and is a field I pass many times during the week.  In this case the tree on the right was just getting a brush of sunrise light that attracted my attention. After getting home I sat down to develop the image and found my way to a painting process. In this case I used some textures, a JixiPix painting app and combined it with a Topaz painting app on my MAC to get the results that I was looking for.

Landscape photography only works if one gets up off the couch and walks out the door. The getting off the couch is the same effort required of any type of art that I'm aware of, even if robots are involved. One has to get up to make the effort to turn on the switch.  For me, being in the outdoors is the switch for my adventure to begin.

Thank you for joining me and I hope that you grab a little of the Fall season before it's gone.

Places to see more of Daniel's work:

Pearson Lakes Art Center  lakesart.com 

500px.com

Facebook - Daniel Ruf Photography  (I can't believe I'm on Facebook again???)

 

When It Rains......

"Passion is one great force that unleashes creativity, because if you're passionate about something, then you're more willing to take risks."  Yo-Yo Ma

....it pours, at least it did at yesterdays annual Art In The Park held by the Pearson Lakes Art Center.  It started with a little sprinkling and by the time we were midway into tent raising, with much help from other artists next to us, the sprinkles turned to a pour and lasted until about noon. My wife and I scrambled until 1:00 p.m. getting panels put up, work hung, cards laid out, etc.  Meanwhile people are walking in and out, asking questions and purchasing items. It was crazy, but the best 3 hours of sales I could imagine. While I was drip drying for an hour after we set up, still wearing a pair of water proof chore boots from farming days, I regained my composure after the whirlwind set up. I owe all the visitors and customers alike a big thank you for visiting with us, asking questions, purchasing work and showing their kindness and understanding.

The blog image is from the wooden boat show at the Arnolds Park Amusement Park in Arnolds Park, Iowa a week ago.  This annual event is always a show stopper as some really beautiful and unusual wooden boats are lined up for the afternoon while visitors window shop, day dream, and reminisce.  This was a hand held shot with my Canon 5D Mark IV using the HDR setting in the camera, which is pretty amazing...to me at least. I just finished the editing/creative process a few minutes ago after using Lightroom, Photoshop and Topaz Studio during the processing, including the Studio Impression painting app.

Thanks for visiting and enjoy the rest of summer.  Where did summer go?

Places to see more of Daniel's work:

Pearson Lakes Art Center  lakesart.com  Also on Facebook for up to date activities

500px.com