Daniel Ruf

Over The River And Through The Woods

"No man has the right to dictate what other men should perceive, create or produce, but all should be encouraged to reveal themselves, their perceptions and emotions, and build confidence in the creative spirit."  Ansel Adams

In the area of Askham, England is in the Cumbria area of the western central portion and is another area of extraordinary landscapes and rural scenes.  To reach this particular scene required our traveling one of the many narrow one lane roads meant for two lane traffic.  After we reached this area we found that there was a two lane road a few miles away which was the way we traveled back to Pooley Bridge.

This scene was a gift of driving until one finds something, which is the theme for those that don't know the area, but it will remain as part of my list of must see locations. It was a difficult shot to make as the  farther down the road from the bridge I walked to get a better up river shot the more the trees on the right would cover the church.  The solution was to hang over the stone wall along the one lane road, which also meant that every time a car came through I had to get my gear together and hold my breath to make room for the traffic. There was no option of stepping off the road!

The touch of fall color and the multicolored stone features helped to break of the greens and the scene. Having some detail in the gray sky really helped as well as the muted light that the sky presented. As I always hope things will come together for the desired result.

Thanks for following my blog.

Other sites where you can find my work:

http://500px.com

Summerwind Gallery, Arnolds Park, Iowa http://www.summerwindgallery.com

Bedazzled

"Photography is about finding out what can happen in the frame.  When you put four edges around some facts, you change those facts."  Garry Winogrand

One of our last mornings in the England countryside and the sun spilled out from behind the clouds that had held it captive for many mornings.  The light was beautiful and we managed to find a turnout to park.  If the light wasn't enough excuse to get active with the camera the steamer and sailboat made it even more exciting.  As time passed the light would sprinkle itself along the landscape making for dazzling changes and later people paddling kayaks also came into view.  This scene is Lake Ullswater in the Lake District of England.

Thanks for following my blog.

Other sites where you can find my work:

http://500px.com

Summerwind Gallery, Arnolds Park, Iowa http://www.summerwindgallery.com

Other Lands

"I love England - It's no secret."  Nicolas Cage

My wife and I just returned from a trip to England, our second trip to that lovely country since 2002.  We loved it then and love it all the more now.  Most of our travels were in the central part of the country and the blog image is from the small town of Grassington, a small village with cobble stone streets and various shops and restaurants. It was were we started our journey after landing in Leeds and I was elected to be the driver, which means driving on the wrong side of the street from the wrong side of the car.

Other than a unique driving experience the food is delicious and served HOT at the table.  Their small town bakeries are serve delicious treats and meat pies...I personally got hooked on sausage rolls and meat pies!

We find the peoples of this area to be very kind and generous and have a great interest in America.  More often than not their description of America is that it is large.  In comparison to England that is true as it often just takes a small amount of time to get from one place to another with beautiful scenery along the way.

It was also interesting that many knew a great deal about America as they usually had a relative that lived or lives in this country.

We will return! Gallery season is over, but my photography continues.  Get ready for winter.

Thanks for visiting.

Other sites where you can find my work:

http://500px.com

Summerwind Gallery, Arnolds Park, Iowa http://www.summerwindgallery.com

 

Other Times

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

The gallery season in our town is at its end with only the "Artisan Road Trip" coming on October 14-15 left to close.  That being said it's now time for me to concentrate on works for Our Iowa Magazine and the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, as well as combing files from the past for any "gems" I may have missed.  Since I do this during the down season each year I still manage to find something that surprises me after a little bit of "handling" in the editing process.  It makes sense since the art of digital photography is constantly changing with new techniques,tools and individual approaches or developments.

The blog image, however, is from this year and is the result of a trip to the west coast, a place I've seen only once when my wife and I were fortunate enough to know someone that lived in Carmel, California.  This scene, however, is from the Oregon coast and a place that I couldn't get enough of even considering that it rained most of the time we were there.  To me it had it all; the waves, clouds, reflections, rocks, etc.  Plenty of subjects, too little time.

As when I worked for the Forest Service in my youth and traveled many trails with a great sense of peace that comes with being in nature, standing on the beaches of Oregon and California was no different. The early morning light and the constant sound of waves was my best way to get into a rhythm of creativity.  It was so mesmerizing that I needed to constantly remind myself to look for different angles, change lenses, take a step one way or the other, etc.  I found my peace in these places.

As we head into the Fall season I hope you all take the time to experience the natural gifts of changing color and scenes and share with others.  Thanks for visiting my site.

Other sites where you can find my work:

http://500px.com

Summerwind Gallery, Arnolds Park, Iowa http://www.summerwindgallery.com

Why Wait?

"I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious."  Albert Einstein

Waiting....a term that I am very familiar with as it is an essential part of my photography.  Patience is a word that is as equally important as it requires me to focus on the things in front of me and not on other distracting ideas that are rolling through my head.  Patience is the reason that I continued to wait for the blog scene develop, even though my impatience, only minutes ago, had me walking this beach in Carmel, California, searching for a composition.

Waiting, patience and impatience, therefore, are all elements of the photographic arts and are all lessons of life that I continue to learn.  A little curiosity can't hurt!

Thank you for joining up with me at this site.  The Summerwind Gallery opens for the summer season on May 17.  I hope I can see you there.

Other sites where you can find my work:

Google +

http://500px.com

Summer Wind Gallery, Arnolds Park, Iowa http://www.summerwindgallery.com

2016 Dribbles Away

"A photograph is usually looked at - seldom looked into."  Ansel Adams

Winter has finally made it to NW Iowa and it came with a bang.  First was the super freeze with temps in the minus 20's....that coming after we wondered if the lakes would ever freeze.  They did!  But before that I was blessed with seeing a dozen trumpeter swans spend a day on our lake, which is the first time I've seen them "wild".  Then the snow and cold came and they vanished.

This year has been filled with experiences with trips to Zion NP, Bryce NP and a short visit to Arches NP, all in the great state of Utah.  I spent a good deal of time in Sabino Canyon near Tucson and more time among the crags of the Granite Dells near Prescott, AZ.  The summer was full with photography around the lakes in NW Iowa and my keeping my space at Summerwind Gallery filled for the summer.  Met a lot of fantastic people, started spending Friday afternoons with my good friend, Mike Houge (mikehouge.typepad.com)  having coffee and cookies at the local McD's and talking a lot of photography.  I never had the time for regularly scheduled coffee outings when I farmed as there was always livestock to entertain me and fill my days.  Retirement is great and I recommend it highly.  I think Mike is tiring of my asking when he's going to retire, but I can wait.

This blog image was taken during a snow flurry at the Lakeside Laboratory facility near where I live. "Lakeside Lab is owned by the state of Iowa and operated through the Board of Regents. Its mission is twofold: 1) to provide science classes and research opportunities for university students, and 2) to offer Outreach Programs and provide services through the state universities."   It's a place for special times...snowfall,sunsets, clouds backgrounds, etc.  The stone structures were constructed in the '30's by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and it's a shame that the CCC isn't alive today as it was such a source of income for a lot of men and families during the depression.  Many of stone structures in state and national parks are the results of the CCC, as well as roads, trails, reforestation, etc.  If you get a chance you should Google and find out what a success it was for our country.

It is my wish that you all have a happy and prosperous new year, that our country thrives and flourishes, that wishes are met and prayers are answered, that our men and women of the armed services are protected and come home, that our veterans needs are finally met, and, most importantly, that we love one another.  God bless you all.

Other sites where you can find my work:

Twitter

Instagram

Google +

http://500px.com

Summer Wind Gallery, Arnolds Park, Iowa http://www.summerwindgallery.com

Other Parts

"Every creator painfully experiences the chasm between his inner vision and its ultimate expression."  Isaac Bashevis Singer

Just returned from a trip to the Southwest including stops in Sabino Canyon near Tucson, Zion National Park and Bryce National Park.  Along the way my wife and I took every opportunity to visit as many galleries and museums as possible, which put us in contact with several incredible gallery people and artists.  I especially like seeing other work, including the traditional arts of painting, pottery, etc. as it is an opportunity for instruction, reflection and insight into other visual concepts.  On this trip I found, but not surprised, that much of the work that we liked best were those that did the most with light.  In the Vail, Colorado we came across the "Claggett/Rey Gallery" which had a great deal of beautiful western art which was absolutely luminous.  In another collection of western art at the American Museum Of Western Art in Denver the work that had been painted during the Hudson River School during the mid 19th century was stunning and largely due to the use of light in the work.

Since photography is the capture of light, the use of light in a composition is nothing new to most photographers.  The blog image, taken at the Sabino Canyon Recreation Area near Tucson, was taken early in the morning when the light hadn't yet reached the canyon floor, but was being reflected from the walls around the subject. As I rounded a corner the subject seemed to jump out at me largely due to the radiance of the light off the rock formations along the creek. This is an iPhone shot that has been edited in Photoshop. The three large rocks along with the three clumps of grass and reflections were the focal points of the composition, in my opinion, with the rocks in the center background being the "trailer" to the composition.

While it's not rocket science, standing around in enough galleries as well as looking through online sites has led me to believe that a lot of photography/art is lacking the use of light as a "subject", and to be totally honest, it does slip my mind on occasions.  This is why the tromping through numerous galleries is so important to me as it reaffirmed the importance of light in art, whether it be artificial  or natural.  Light is what defines shapes, textures, depth and volume and to me is a building block towards composition.

Thank you all for stopping by and I'd like to remind you that I will be part of a new "reconstructed" gallery in Arnolds Park, Iowa called Summerwind Gallery (summerwindgallery.com), owned and operated by Roberta Williams, an outstanding artist as well.  She has managed to put together a group of artists that will be displaying some beautiful work of many differing subjects and mediums.  The gallery will have a "soft" opening on May 1 and the grand opening on June 4. This gallery is going to be a great edition to the arts in our area of Northwest Iowa.

For more views of my work visit;

http://500px.com

Lanesboro Art Center, Lanesboro, Minnesota www.lanesboroarts.org

Summer Wind Gallery, Arnolds Park, Iowa http://www.summerwindgallery.com

Thanks And Giving

            "Art is not about the production of things, it's about the expression of things."  Guy Tal

The enclosed quote comes from Guy Tal's most recent ebook, "More Than A Rock", and has been really enjoyable and informative about art and photography.  He's a brilliant writer and photographer and I've enjoyed the reading thus far.  The book is offered on his website, www.guytal.com .  

The blog image is from the trip east and is taken from the Blue Ridge Parkway as we were on our way to North Carolina.  The abundance of Fall color was enough to stop, but the incredible clouds finished the composition as well.  The back lighting really helped to bring out the color of the scene as well as the cloud and landscape definition.  Watching the colors and contrast change as the sun peaked in and out of the clouds was like adjusting a really strong polarizer that was covering one's eyes.

I know that I've often written about the people and events in my life that are responsible for what I'm doing today as a retired farmer turned photographer and how thankful I've been for there gracious help and tutilage.  Teachers, parents, and friends have all "conspired" to help develop my insights as a person and photographer.

I'm also very greatful for making some of the right turns AND some of the wrong turns that have led me to a precise spot at a precise time or even a different spot than I had planned.  Even the above scene would have been totally different a day or two either way.  

As far as the giving portion of the title...I can only hope that I've returned at least a portion to others as has been gifted to me by so many.  It's easy to forget to give the simplest helpful words or efforts to others as we go about our busy lives, but so important to those that pass through our daily lives.

At this point I wish you all a very wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends.  Be merry, reach out and hug.

Sic 'em Bears...Great job with Oklahoma State...now to finish business.

For more views of my work visit;

Arts On Grand, Spencer, Iowa http://www.artsongrand.org/

Lanesboro Art Center, Lanesboro, Minnesota   www.lanesboroarts.org

Side Street Gallery, Arnolds Park, Iowa  www.okobojiimages.com

http://500px.com/pigs4u

http://www.flickr.com/photos/19338959@N06/

Rural Americans

                          "Problems are not stop signs, they are guidelines."  Robert H. Schuller

Last weekend my wife and I took a trip to Lanesboro, Minnesota to attend the reception for the "Rural American's" exhibit in which I had 4 entries that made it through the jury process.  The show was beautiful and was typical of the style and quality of the Lanesboro Arts Center (http://www.lanesboroarts.org/) tradition.  The town of Lanesboro draws a huge crowd with interests from art to canoing to biking and all past times in between and is a destination that makes for enjoyable outings.

While talking to many of the guests attending the show I was also able to stand back and see an amazing visitor friendly gallery in operation.  Robbie Brokken and her staff make a huge effort to connect artists with visitors and vise versa in the effort to create opportunities for friendships and sales while beautiful live music played in the background.  Some may call this "glad handing", but from my viewpoint is was a sincere effort to create a friendly and enjoyable atmosphere for all.

As the night reached the end I noted that either Robbie or one of the gallery personel were at the door to thank those that attended and wish them a good night.  I took a moment before leaving to thank Robbie and Betsy (a charming lady and an asset to the gallery, as are all those that serve the gallery) and let them know how important their work was to the success of this outstanding facility, which, by the way, has been selected as one of the top 12 small town art places in the country (http://www.lanesboroarts.org/art-place.pdf).

The Lanesboro community is and should be proud of this gallery as it provides a destination for people to see equisite art in many differing mediums.  After having spent a night in the company of the marvelous staff it's no wonder.  They excell at their "job" because they are in love with their work, the artists and people they serve.

Here's to you Lanesboro Arts Center!  Thanks for sharing your love.

Go Baylor...Sic 'Em Bears.  Less than 78 days to an awesome football season!!! 

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

 

 

Learning Can Be Fun

"Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where Nature may heal and cheer and give strength..."  John Muir

This past week found me at South Dakota's Badlands at a five day photography workshop given by Tony Sweet and his partner, Susan Milestone, and what a week it was.  Both of these master photographers were excellent in knowing where to be and when and I can still hear Tony calling to all of us "here comes the light" while many of us were facing the opposite direction waiting for the sunrise glow to paint the eastern facing escarpments of the Badlands area.

The blog image was taken during a 3 minute period of luxurious light at the Big Badlands overlook area.  Just below my feet is a large expanse of air which I was trying not to be blown into by the south westerly winds of the morning.  While we all stood in awe of the special lighting effects I somehow managed to get the camera reset, shutter speeds and f/stops dialed in to fire off this three image file for HDR processing later in my motel room.  While making such a capture is a real thrill, being in the very presence of this changing light in a vast open landscape such as the Badlands, is indescribable. 

Both instructors fulfill the word "work" in workshop with a fairly non stop schedule of activity.  By 4:30am most of the attendees were loading their vehicles for departure at 4:45am to parts unknown in the Badlands National Park near Wall, South Dakota, our home for the five day photographic event.  We usually were on site long before the actual rising of the famed fireball, our sun, but the dawn light can be some of the most delicate pastels that any artist can imagine, and this morning was no exception...except for the gala event shown above. 

After about a four to five hour shoot at various locations, we usually gather for our only feast together at a local restaurant and fill up on carbs.  After breakfast we had about 4 hours to ourselves to process our previous work (or nap...so they tell me) and then we would meet for a two hour critique/instructional session with Tony and Susan.  It was a growing experience for me that involved learning about how various color or design nuances can elevate an "o.k." picture to a full fledged image of quality.  After 5 days of this instruction we all were surprised that, while we were all in the same location for a shoot, there were no similar images shown at the meeting.  Could it be that 9 photographers of equal ability proved that vision IS in the eye of the beholder?

When the class was over, we grabbed a bite to eat and loaded our gear again at about 4:30pm for the evening shoot, which took us to new venues and scenic lands within the park.  Usually, and this applied to morning an evening shoots, if the skies were partly cloudy the shoot would last longer since that golden light would spend more time bouncing around the cloud banks making us scurry around for new locations for different lighting situations.  By and large our day would end at about 8pm and we would head back to our rooms to ready ourselves for the next day.

For those of you that are longing for a fulfilling workshop experience and are willing to invest yourself in your artistry, take the time to check out Tony Sweets website, http://tonysweet.com , and click on his workshop tab.  Also, take the time to check his blog and get to know this amazingly gifted artist.

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

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

Artisans Road Trip www.artisansroadtrip.com  

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