October Surprise

Watching the leaves float on the wind as they drop one by one to the ground and viewing the beautiful colors that dot the landscape, is just a couple reasons why Autumn is one of my favorite seasons in Minnesota.  It was a beautiful Fall day that pulled us both outside; breathing in the crisp cool air that this season brings is what we both needed. The vibrant colors, the personality of “Mr. Ed”, and the travels to and from Minneapolis was just another day to add in the banks of my mind. Take a journey with us as we show you some highlights of the day.

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A State of Existing, North Dakota

“Ghost towns stud North Dakota, and this empty house is just one bone in a giant skeleton of abandoned human desire.”

A quote from a perfectly written article for National Geographic about North Dakota titled,
“The Emptied Prairie” By Charles Bowden

I remember, as a little child, walking hand in hand with my father across fields of long prairie grass.  I was amazed by the dance created by the wind as it touched each blade of grass.  To this day, I can close my eyes and visualize the sight seen as we walked closer to an abandoned farmstead and the excitement noticed in my father’s eyes and heard in his voice. I learned from him that these abandoned properties are not a place of destruction, but a story of endless outcomes.

The trip to North Dakota was an incredible journey, one that I am happy to say, was shared with an amazing man.  Dan and I enjoyed the migrating birds that this pothole region attracts and the vibrant colors a North Dakota landscape can provide.  Visit North Dakota as seen in some of my previous posts:

North Dakota Ghosts- The old school in Forbes, North Dakota
Abandoned Outside Forbes, ND
Following the rails of North Dakota
North Dakota Shines

This trip included some of my favorite abandoned properties to date. As I am writing this post, I can still see the texture of the peeling paint on the rickety walls or see the layers of personal material left behind on the floor.  Two different properties that told two different stories.  The old farmhouse with the herd of cattle watching us explore was full of color and texture – a feast for a photographers eyes.  I could only imagine the grandeur of this home when she was alive with activity.  The other property included in this post was just as incredible, but for a different reason. My grandfather was a talented violin maker and carpenter.  Watching him play the instrument as a child, taught me the wonders of music.  Violin, piano, and cello are three of my favorite instruments that can send a shiver right through me whenever heard.  Now imagine mixing the two…  an abandoned property with musical ties- WOWZA!  The music sheets were strewn throughout the home, and a shell of a guitar was left behind in an empty room.  I can almost hear the music that played within those walls.

This concludes the series on North Dakota.  Where will our next journey take us?  For now, take a walk with Dan and I as we tour some of the most intriguing abandoned farmstead that we have had the privilege to photograph.

The grey between

The “grey area”, referring to an area having characteristics of two extremes.

I have yet to set out with the sole intention of capturing black and white images; I don’t necessarily set out to capture images of color either. Some say that you must have a different mind set when capturing black and white images since the color to grab attention is absent. Others need color and find black and white images lacking feeling or punch.  Personally, I am drawn to both color and black and white photography; both can evoke feelings in my mind.  However, a strong black and white can send shivers up my spine any day.

Did you ever think that the colors in a photograph can actually make someone look at it over and over again or possibly turn-off the viewer?  Just as music builds mood, colors can also help create mood. I have found a lot of literature written on this subject- color creating mood- and it interests me greatly.

Sometimes I know that the image that is presenting itself in front of me will make a great black and white image; other times I know that color will be beneficial to the image, or could the image captured look good in both color and black and white… Hmmm.  Either way, color or the absence thereof, can create mood or emotion in an image if the lighting or subject is powerful.

The image that I am presenting today was captured at an abandoned farmstead. Left behind, was a portion of a Singer Sewing Machine that probably felt a lot of material pass through its grasps in its day.  The machine that made dresses, hemmed pants, repaired holes, or made curtains for the house, was left behind to rust with time.

The way that the light was shinning in from the side casting shadows behind the machine was moving.  I believe a gasp escaped my mouth when I first saw her sitting there reaching out to be photographed.

Color

Black and White

Maybe I will set out one day with the sole intention of photographing black and white.  Paying attention to the light and shadows, textures and patterns, composition, contrast, or trying to capture raw emotion in a look- That may just turn out to be a great learning experience.   But wait… Can’t I do that with color too?

A photography day in the merry month of May

It’s May now (or was back then), the sun was shining and the birds were singing; what better to do than take a drive out in the country with friends that share the same passion for photography?

Being a part of the Red Wing Photography Club has introduced me to a number of photographers.  Each photographer has their own view on the word and their own different way on how they wish to portray it; to see how another views the world is fun for me and is always a learning experience. Whether the type of photography be Macro, Landscape, Portrait, Street photography, Journalism, or any other type … Well, it is up to the photographer as to how they choose to capture that day, how they wish to capture that moment in time.  The beauty of photography is that the appeal of the photograph is in the eye of the maker and the beholder.

This particular day took us over the Wisconsin way; a hop, skip, and a jump across the mighty Mississippi.  It was nice for Dan and I to meet Norbert Marklin, a very talented and inspiring local photographer.

Standing tall after all these years

Norbert Marklin and Dan Traun

The old house is still wired up

Over the river and through the woods- Birthday Weekend- Day #2

After our “clean up” from the stuck in the muck episode, Dan and I enjoyed our delicious breakfast and a morning hike around the property of Justin Trails Resort.  We were then off into the surrounding communities of Vernon and Monroe counties for a day of photographic amusement.

Have you ever experienced that sinking feeling in the bottom of you gut when on a roller coaster ride? I do every time we travel over a hill at a certain speed with a certain drop off gradient.  Dan thinks this is funny and will hit every hill that has that right drop-off and at the right speed. This trip was full of those sinking feelings in my stomach, as the landscape in this area was pretty steep at times.

Over the river and through the woods in search of round barns and covered bridges we go.  Included in with the enchanted beauty of Wisconsin’s hidden valleys are large congregations of German-speaking Amish farm families.  They continue to worship, live, and farm today as their pioneering ancestors did 150 years ago.  A friendly, quiet community who welcome anyone with a wave of their hand or a nod of their head. Their farms are immaculate and well kept; it was a treat to see how they live and work off the land.

Dan lending a helping hand

The muck was stuck

Fly away little one

Our luck continues

It was a good night of fun and laughter; it is always nice to spend time with family.  The wee hours of the morning came a bit too soon and it was time to head back on the road after a much needed breakfast.   We packed up the car, put on sunglasses and headed south for the trip back home.  As it always does, our philosophy that the road less traveled proves to be more exciting held true for the day.

Among the multitude of countryside favorites that we encountered on this day, we ran into the most incredible abandoned farmstead.  One that to this day remains to be my favorite find of this year.  The main barn was an architectural favorite of mine and the photographic opportunities on this property was endless.  Was it the fact that the big city was spreading its wings and pushed this property into abandonment or was it that this once elaborate barn and farmstead had come to an end. Either way, we enjoyed our stay and were thankful for this opportunity before the buildings on this property are reduced to rumble.  I will file this one away in the memory banks.

I invite you to visit Dan’s blog “Back-roadin’ to Alexandria, MN and back” for his take and images from not only this property, but the whole trip as well.

As luck would have it

This gallery contains 20 photos.

As legends have it in Irish folk lore- at the end of every rainbow lays a pot of gold guarded by a mischievous creature the Leprechaun. This sly, mythical creature is custodian of not just the gold, but also other buried treasure that a rainbows end represents.  As luck would have it, I have been […]

It was a cold day, one like any other…

This gallery contains 12 photos.

The alarm sounding from across the room wakes my sleepy mind.  I open my eyes in darkness, stumble out of bed, and clumsily make my way to the shower.  The freshness if the warm water hitting my face is a nice wake up call.  I pack by bags and head out the door wondering what […]

Keep Your Eyes Open

This gallery contains 11 photos.

This is my first post and a HUGE thank you goes out to my family, friends, the Red Wing Photography Club and my partner in crime.  Dan, thank you for constantly pushing me forward and opening up my eyes a little father to the world around us. I am fortunate enough to have someone by […]