Ghost Farms

The trip from Des Moines to Decorah usually takes about 3 1/2 hours. On Friday, I lingered along county roads on the way to attend my uncle's funeral, stopping to capture these photos. There are many modern, thriving farms, but increasingly I see more old farms whose buildings are dilapidated or decaying. These are farms long ago abandoned. Once useful barns, bins and even houses are falling prey to the elements, tangled in overgrown vines. What stories do these ancient structures hold? What animals or crops were sheltered here? Did families live and love on this land? Did children, now grown with grandchildren and great-grandchildren of their own, play in these yards?

It seems everywhere I turn I am reminded of the brevity of life - in my work, in the changing of the seasons, in friends and family who have gone before us, and in the demise of these farms. For several years I raced by them on my way to something I was already late for. Not this time. This time I stopped, looked, soaked in the symbolism of these aged buildings. The sky was grey; the sun hidden behind thick clouds. It was cold and windy. Yet there was something rich and warm about these quiet places. I could almost hear the cries of "come boss!" and the ring of the dinner bell to call in the field workers. I could almost smell baking bread and the scent of wringer-washed sheets hanging on the line.

These photos are a fitting tribute to my uncle, Ted, who loved the land and the harvest it provided, and understood that successful farming was a communal effort. He was kind to me when I was learning to drive the baler tractor, and for that I am grateful.

David's Senior Photo Shoot

I was apprehensive about trying to do David's senior photos myself, especially since I wasn't sure he was supportive of the idea. Our evening started out a little rocky trying to do headshots in my garage, but he got totally into the downtown shoot and had some great ideas for locations and poses. We had fun (which is rare for the two of us together) and plan to do a "Phase 2" at a future date. Here are a few of the best shots.

Some Exceedingly Rare Photos of Brent...Smiling!

I need to take pictures almost continuously during waking hours to justify the purchase of my new camera, so Sunday evening I ventured up to Saylorville at sunset. I think you'll enjoy these - I know I did.

You thought those were impressive? I've got a few more that may just knock your socks off. Those of you who know Brent know how incredibly rare it is to get a  photo of him, much less smiling! And the whole photo shoot was his idea! Never mind the Jack Daniels t-shirt, I'm thrilled with these.

A Great Sky - but that's about it.

One new camera; one sorely inexperienced photographer who obviously doesn't know how to use fill-flash; and one less-than-cooperative subject.

Capitol Hill - Iowa Style

If you stand at the top of the hill on East Grand Ave. in Des Moines on a clear night, the view in just about every direction is breathtaking. I've been wanting to photograph it for a long time. Every time I'm in the vicinity, there is some excuse...it's too late and everyone wants to get home; it's raining; it's too light; it's too cold. Most often the excuse is that I don't have my camera along. But Saturday night I set aside all excuses and actually remembered my camera. It took me trying all three of the lenses I own and about 25 shots to capture this. I will confess that there is just a bit of editing, but not much.

At 10 p.m. on a Saturday, the city is alive with activity. The sounds of the East Village drift up the hill - cars and music and people laughing. Lovers sit on the Capitol steps and savor the lights of downtown. Photographers (like me?) try their hand at capturing the splendor of the golden domed Capitol building. From time to time a stilled hush envelopes the hill and everyone simply enjoys the visual feast. I would highly recommend it as a place to relax and reflect (unless, of course, the weather was unfriendly.)

Here is the view facing east.



And here is the view facing west. Click on either photo to view it larger.

Photo Shoot 2

One of the top things on my "Bucket List" is to become a really good photographer. In case you haven't seen the movie by the same name, a Bucket List is a list of things you want to do before you die. I'm currently working on this one. Poor Hannah...since she is the only willing subject I can find, she has had to endure my amateur photography efforts over the past couple of weeks. She's been a pretty good sport about it, and thankfully the practice (and a little help from Photoshop) is starting to pay off.

This one is my favorite.

For some reason that I can't really explain, I am really drawn to old dilapidated farm buildings. I think it's something about the end of an era; the transformation from rural to urban; my own aging... Whatever the source of the attraction, I've always wanted to travel the rural countryside and photograph these old buildings. Maybe I'll enter a contest someday, or even publish a book of my photos (another thing on my Bucket List.) So last night I went about a mile down Meredith Drive to take photos of this old barn. We'll see what comes of this. I guess I can dream, right?

Photo Shoot

So I'm taking this online class on how to take portraits, and it requires some practice. So yesterday, since Al and David were on an overnight paintballing trip, Hannah and I set up the family room as a "studio." The assignment was to use window light and a reflector to shoot good portraits. Here are some of the results.

The lighting pretty much stunk since it was raining all day, so I may have to try it again today. But I'm getting the general sense that I shouldn't give up my day job just yet....