Michael Harker Photography

2010-04-08T07:40:00.001-05:00

I am beginning a new blog specific to Orange Crate Gallery but will also continue to post new notifications here.

This blog has moved

2010-04-07T06:36:00.001-05:00

This blog is now located at http://orangecrategallery.blogspot.com/.
You will be automatically redirected in 30 seconds, or you may click here.

For feed subscribers, please update your feed subscriptions to
http://orangecrategallery.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default.

2010-03-17T14:50:00.003-05:00

I have some new artists at the gallery, including Dionne Miller of West Amana, Iowa, whose nature photography and images of the Amana Colonies are excellent. Stop by soon!

2010-02-15T10:48:00.004-06:00

My Internationl Photography Competition is now under way and entries are beginning to come in. The closing date is September 30th, so you have plenty of time to give it your best shot!

Scroll down a few entries from here to review the details.

I am now in the process of putting together a new webite dedicated to Orange Crate Gallery. You'll be able to purchase fine art and photography over the internet and be able to enter my photography competitions through the site, also.

I will link the new website to this one to make navigation easy.

2010-02-03T13:31:00.002-06:00

"Wine & Cheese Reception"

Orange Crate Gallery is hosting its first Solo Artist Exhibit from Feb 15th - Mar 15th of Darrell Wahlstrom's "Abstracts". There will be a reception for Darrell on Thursday, February 18th from 7:00 to 9:00 pm with wine and cheese. Please stop by and meet Darrell.

2010-02-02T10:36:00.002-06:00

On February 11th, I will be giving a lecture on my photography and doing a booksigning at Grinnell college beginning at 4:15. If you are able to attend, please come by.

2010-02-02T10:30:00.002-06:00

I am now gathering a three member panel of experienced photography professionals to be the judges for my Photography Competition:

Peter Feldstein - taught photography and digital imaging at the University Of Iowa and published "The Oxford Project".

Sean Ulmer - Curator at the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art

Lucy Goodsen - Photography Professor at Coe College in Cedar Rapids

Photography Competition

2010-01-23T09:21:00.003-06:00

Orange Crate Gallery 2010 Photography Competition

I am pleased to announce the first annual Orange Crate Gallery Photography Competition open to all residents of the United States, Canada and Mexico who are at least 18 years old. The theme for this competition is "The Most Important Person in My Life" - all photographs must be in B/W. The attached photographs are examples of the kind of images that represent this theme.

There are three cash prizes:

1st Place - $750

2nd Place - $400

3rd Place - $250

All three winners will have their photographs displayed at the gallery for ninety days and posted on this site (http://www.harkerphotography.com/).

An independent panel of judges will determine the winning entries.

The contest opens March 1st, 2010 and closes September 30th, 2010, Winners will be announced on November 1st, 2010 and prizes will be awarded on November 15th, 2010.

The Rules:

An entry fee of $15 payable to Orange Crate Gallery allows you enter up to five images in jpeg format at 300 dpi and 5x7 inches in dimension, burned on a CD (non-returnable). On a seperate page, please include your name, address, phone number, e-mail, the title of each image and a brief descriptionas to why the person (or persons) in the photo is the "Most Important Person in My Life".

Entry fee must be in U.S. dollars by Money Order (no checks) - mail your submissions to:

Orange Crate Gallery

310-3rd Street S.E.

Cedar Rapids, IA 52401

319-362-3559

orangecrategallery@gmail.com (if you have any question)

All Rights to the photographs remain that of the photographer. Framed display prints will be required by the three winners for showing in the gallery. Please make 11x14 inch B/W prints in black, 16x20 aluminum frames with signed, white window mats. Framed prints should be shipped in secure packaging to arrive by December 15th, 2010.

Good Luck and Good Shooting!

Michael P. Harker

2010-01-21T09:18:00.008-06:00

I am proud of the artists that I represent here at Orange Crate Gallery and the work they do is quite good. So here is a list of everyone, where they are from and the medium they work in:

Pat-Birkett-Roby - Cedar Rapids, IA - Photography
Debra Dolores - Solon, IA - Painter - Mandalas
Marsha Erb - Cedar Rapids, IA - Custom Jewelry
Graig Hansen - Cedar Rapids, IA - Acrylic Resin - Abstracts
Joshua Harker - Chicago, IL - Sculpture - Sintered Glass and Nylon
Victoria Herring - Des Moines, IA - Photography
John Humphrey - North Liberty, IA - Photography
Fred Hardiman - Cedar Rapids, IA - Painter
Susan Kennicott - Solon, IA - Painter
Marti McGinnis - Lexington, KY - Painter
Dionne Miller - West Amana, IA - Photographer
Vanessa Paxton - Toronto, Canada - Photographer
Dan Schuster - Cedar Rapids, IA - Sculptor - Wood
Craig Volesky - Cedar Rapids, IA - Photography
Darrell Wahlstrom - Cedar Rapids, IA - Painter - Watercolor, Abstracts
James Young - Cedar Rapids, IA - Graphic Posters

Stop by and see this wonderful collection!

2010-01-14T10:35:00.002-06:00

My gallery is nearing full capacity for wall space though there is still room available. Santiago Sanchez of Cedar Rapids will be bringing in several large and colorful paintings next week. He is an outstanding airbrush artist working on canvas.

I am interested in art by sculptors, fiber artists and ceramic artists that can be displayed on the main floor. If you work in any of these genres and are interested in having your work, please contact me.

Also, if you are an artist interested in having a 30 day individual show, I want to begin having these type of displays by the end of the month.

2009-12-21T13:54:00.001-06:00

I just want to take a moment to wish everyone a Merry Christmas!

2009-12-04T10:16:00.002-06:00

I am having a Christamas Party at the gallery on Thursday, December 17th from 6:30 to 9:00; there will be live blues/rock by Dunshee Moon, wine, beer and appetizers! Come by and see the great art and photography!

2009-11-07T15:39:00.003-06:00

Orange Crate Gallery is now established after a successful and enjoyable Grand Opening last night. Between now and Christmas, if you come to the gallery and tell me that you saw this posting, you will receive a 10% discount on any of my photographs and other photo items.

I hope to have a gallery specific website created by the end of January.

Beginning in January I will have monthly exhibits to showcase the work of a single artist, with opening night receptions with music, wine and light food. These will be announced here and through local media in Cedar Rapids.

Regards!

Michael

2009-10-10T09:39:00.003-05:00

I now have several artists repesented in my gallery:

Zack Jones of Malvern, Iowa - acrylic on canvas
Josh Harker of Chicago, Illinois - glass sculpture
Michael Ryan of Cedar Rapids, Iowa - oil on canvas
Marti McGinnis of Lexington Kentucky - acrylic on canvas
James Bayless of Iowa City, Iowa - oil on canvas.

On Monday, I will post some ample images of their work.

2009-09-18T13:26:00.003-05:00

Orange Crate Gallery is on schedule for opening on October 1st, 2009! If you are ever in the Cedar Rapids area, I want to extend a warm invitation for you to stop in. My hours are Tuesday through Friday (10:00 to 5:30). If you want to see the Gallery on an appointment basis, you can call me at 319-362-3559 or e-mail me at:

orangecrategallery@gmail.com

I plan to develop a website specific to the gallery by the end of the year which will allow you to purchase photograhic items and fine art through credit card and debit transactions.

All my Best!

Michael

2009-08-26T14:14:00.003-05:00

If you have tried to contact me about submitting your artwork for consideration, you have probably discovered that the e-mail address I gave you isn't working. Instead, send your queries to: Harkers5063@mchsi.com

Thanks!

Michael

2009-08-18T13:30:00.002-05:00

On August 12h I received news from the International Photography Awards that I had made it through Round 2 of the judging and so have received at least an "Honorable Mention" in the Architectural Photographer of the Year Award. My photograph, "Marshall County Courthouse" will be the cover image on my new book, "Harker's Iowa Courthouses" which will be released in late October.

The final round of judging takes place today - if I place 1st, 2nd or 3rd, I get to attend the award ceremony at Lincoln Center in New York City on Monday, October 19th, for a chance to win a "Lucie" and $10,000 cash for International Photographer of the Year.

2009-08-12T09:46:00.004-05:00

I have completed the formal process of securing a building for my gallery. It is with a great deal of pleasure that "Orange Crate Gallery" will open for business on Tuesday, October 6th, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. - I will be located at 310-3rd Street S.E., Cedar Rapids, Iowa in the heart of downtown.

I can be reached through my e-mail, Harker@Harkerphotography.com.

This is now the time for me to put out my "Call for Entries" to artists, sculptors, glass blowers, etc., who are interested in selling work through my gallery. If you want me to review your work, e-mail up to five 100 dpi jpegs no larger than 800 pixels on the longest side of your images. My commission rate is only 35% and I have a contract that protects the copyright and uses of your artwork when it is purchased.

2009-07-22T07:57:00.002-05:00

I am getting close to making my Gallery a reality. I will be taking advantage of an early retirement option at the University of Iowa Hospital, where I have worked for the last twelve and a half years, and will be putting in my last day on September 30th.

Next week I am meeting with a realtor to secure a site. Once I sign the lease and have my federal tax number and Iowa sales tax permit, I can begin designing the interior to my motif. My plan is to be open by November 1st. As I near that date, I will put out a "Call for Artists", with the reserved stipulation that you must be living and working as an artist in Iowa.

2009-07-01T08:31:00.003-05:00

Well, here it is, July 1st and I am sorry to say no one took me up on my photo challenge. I guess that I'll keep the $25 for myself.

However, I want to let everyone know that I will be opening my own brick and mortar art gallery by early fall. I will be located in downtown Cedar Rapids, Iowa and will be selling both my own photography and art by other people. My commission rate will be 35%, which is about 5% lower than the norm for gallery commissions.

If you are an artist working in photography, oils, acrylics, watercolors, scupture, ceramics, glassware, custom jewelry, textiles or other genres, and are looking for a gallery to sell your work through, consider working with me.

I have designed an excellent contract that protects both myself and the artist. Though I am using my current website for getting the news out, I will create a new site specific to the gallery. I will offer on-line sales as well as gallery space.

Beginning in 2010, I will announce a "Call for Entries" art/photography contest with cash awards for different categories (entry fees will be low).

Please feel free to contact me if you are interested in selling your work through my gallery:

E-mail: Harker@Harkerphotography.com

Thanks!

Michael

2009-05-28T10:31:00.003-05:00

Since learning about my eye problem, I have wondered about photography's role for people with visual impairment. There are schools that teach photography to people with vision problems and some of the work produced by these students is quite good. Back in the old days of chemical/film based photography, even blind people found jobs in the industry - mostly in film and x-ray processing where working in total darkness is a requirement.

Almost all of those jobs are gone now because of the digital revolution. With cameras that are autofocus and auto exposure, visual impairment really only limits these photographers to solving compositional challenges.

I want to offer a challenge to photographers - try taking some images where you deliberately obstruct your normal vision by 75% - either by wearing plastic eyewear smeared with vasline or partially obstructed by paint - something that will make it difficult to see through. Do not manipulate your photos with Photoshop. Send me an image by e-mail (125dpi jpeg) by July 1st. I will select the top ten images and post them here. I will send $25 to the photographer who takes the most interesting image in my judgement. I want to know how you "impaired" your eyesight for the assignment.

My e-mail is Harker@Harkerphotography.com; be sure to send me your address so I can mail you a money order for $25 if I should pick your image!

To see some photographs done by impaired individuals, google "Photos by Blind Photographers+Time magazine".

Cheers!

Michael

2009-05-12T15:05:00.003-05:00

I found out yesterday that I had a medical problem with my left eye occur during cataract surgery on March 6th. I had a Branch Retinal Artery Occlusion which is called a "mini stroke" in one of the small arteries in my central vision. I have lost almost all of my central vision and will never regain it, because part of the retina died from the loss of blood flow.

As a photographer, this means I must keep my vision in my right eye or loose my career. Fortunately, I am right eye dominant and still have peripheral vision in the left eye, allowing me to actually function at normal capacity. I just can't read or recognize faces with the left eye.

If you have never had your eyes examined by an ophthamologist, I highly recommend you do so. During the eleven and a half years I worked as an ophthalmic photographer I photographed hundreds of Branch Retina Artery Occlusions and so I know exactly what this sudden and irreversable condition looks like and what it means for the person experiencing it.

You might ask, how does a photographer deal with the emotional impact of the reality of it happening? In my case, I plan to continue working and hope I keep my sight in the right eye. I have to live with reduced vision in any circumstance, so I believe in looking ahead and keeping a positive and optimistic attitude.

2009-04-29T08:30:00.003-05:00

On March 31st, I signed a contract with WDG Communications in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to publish my fourth book, "Harker's Iowa Courthouses" and a 2010 calendar of the same title. Both will be available in November and are black and white phot0graphs from my documentary on Iowa's County Courthouses.

Loren Horton, who is Iowa's formost historian, is writing the introduction.

I will be taking orders for the book and calendar in late October and will post the prices then.

2009-04-17T14:02:00.003-05:00

Today I was pleasanlty surprised to discover that the average visits to my Blurb Bookstore self-published books has gone from an average of twenty per week sine January 2008 to almost five hundred this week alone. I want to thank everyone who has taken time to view my work and I hope you will feel comfortable in dropping me an e-mail with your comments.

Harker@Harkerphotography.com

2009-04-14T15:22:00.004-05:00

The latest on-line issue of "The New Yorker" magazine has a very nice review by Andrea Walker on my book, "Harker's One-room Schoolhouses". (April 13, 2009 issue)

I am pleased to see the East Coast Establishment showing interest in my work and hope more good follows.

2009-04-08T11:11:00.002-05:00

I need to draw attention to a group of people in San Francisco who have decicated both time and resources over many years to support photographers world-wide in their efforts to gain recognition. TCB-Cafe Publishing has held international theme-based competitions for photographers that have the lofty goal of publishing the selected works in a book published by TCB-Cafe Publishing.

My connection with these people began in September 2006.

The event was titled "A Smile is Worth a Thousand Words" and anyone could enter up to three images. Out of the large amount of submissions entered, fifty-three individuals were selected to have their images published. I am honored that all three of my submissions were accepted.

Now the book has been published. I will receive my copy in a few weeks and will for the first time see the final result of my work and the others. It is indeed an honor and privledge to have my work in this collection, especially so because the deepening recession in America has made this the last book of this nature that TCB-Cafe Publishing will be doing.

I guess no one really appreciates something until it is gone.

Kudos to their committment and I hope you will take a moment to visit their website. Please send them an e-mail of thanks on my behalf.

2009-04-07T07:57:00.004-05:00

While people like Patrick Killelea think it is okay for them to raid other websites to steal images for their right-wing fanantacism, without recognizing intellectual property rights and federal copyright law, other people show both courtesy and respect for photographers.

I'm talking about individuals like John Scanlan from Verve Gallery in Santa Fe, who complimented me for the quality of my submission images to the gallery and, though he couldn't offer me represntation of that specific portfolio, has invited me to submit more images.

Or people like Mark, editor of "Film and Foto Magazine" in Barcelona, Spain, who has commissioned me to do a cover story portfolio assignment for his magazine in October, based on his review of my website and by the content of my e-mails to him alone.

I am going after the thieves who think they can steal my images; specifically Mr. Killelea.

I am going to continue to grant publication rights to honorable gentlemen and women who understand the hard work I do to make my images and develop my reputation.

I am willing to give people permission to use my images on their blogs, providing they contact me, politely ask permission and give me a photo credit below the image.

And I am always ethical in the way I use the power of photography - I do not exploit anyone in doing my work, I do not steal other people's images, and I always encourage people to take up the good work of photography for themselves. And if they ask for my advice on technical issues, I am always willing to help out.

The world can be a better place - my goal as a photographer is to do just that.

2009-04-01T08:12:00.002-05:00

On January 13, 2009 I posted a stern warning to anyone stealing my copyrighted images from my website that this is illegal and that I will bring criminal charges against them. I have discovered that a search engine, Patrick.net, has used one of my images without my permission.

Today I sent them an e-mail expressing my outrage. They have seven days to pay me my standard rate for the use of my image ($500). If I do not receive payment by then, I will file criminal charges against them with the Attorney General's office in Des Moines.

If anyone thinks that my posting of 1-13-09 is a bluff, you better think again.

Every photograph posted on my website is one of mine. I do not post other people's photographs. All of my images are for your viewing enjoyment only.

Remember that!

2009-03-24T10:19:00.002-05:00

The March/April issue of View Camera Magazine has a wonderful review of my book,
"Harker's One-room Schoolhouses: Visions of an Iowa Icon" in it. I've wanted to see my work in this wonderful magazine for a long time and I'm am very happy to have achieved this goal.

2009-03-13T10:34:00.002-05:00

I have two new sources displaying my photography that I want to pass on to you, as some of the images have never been seen before.

"InTravel Magazine" is an on-line magazine and has published 16 of my images from the Star Clipper and the Treasure Islands. When you get to their website, you will see a panoramic image of rose-colored clouds over water - click on that and my photo essay opens.

"Reflect-arts, Inc." held and international contest and one of my cloud photos is published on their March on-line Gallery.

View Camera Magazine is interested in publishing my black and white architectural images - I will let you know what happens.

2009-02-19T13:24:00.003-06:00

I have discovered another website similar to PhotoShelter in that it allows you to store up to 100 images that can be sent as your entries to photo competitions. "Cafe Image Management" is very easy to use and your images look great there!

2009-02-16T10:17:00.001-06:00

Iowa Public Television will be airing their documentary on Iowa's One-room Schools during their spring fund-drive, "Festival", on the following dates:

Sunday - March 1, 2009 at Noon
Thursday - March 5, 2009 at 6:30 pm
Saturday, March7, 2009 at 11:30 am

The DVD of the documentary and my new book, "Harker's One-room Schoolhouses: Visions of an Iowa Icon", are going to be offered as premiums for contributors during Festival.

2009-02-12T14:15:00.002-06:00

I have added two new on-line galleries to my "portfolio" of image sharing with the world at large. "PhotoShelter" and "WishStock" are both entities that allow you to create galleries of your work and will help market your images. WishStock is free to set-up and only charge you when someone buys an image download, whereas PhotoShelter charges a monthly fee for e-commerce. Your gallery set-up is free and you are allowed a 150mb total image bank on PhotoShelter, however.

The feature I like best about PhotoShelter is called "Lightbox". This is a seperate area of images that you can share with anyone by simply adding their e-mail address to the "share list". I find this particularly useful when I want to send images to a photography contest, competition or grant source.

2009-02-04T07:51:00.003-06:00

I have joined another on-line gallery to showcase and sell my work: it is called "AbsoluteArts.com" and they have a great program. If you choose their "free" sign up option you get to post eight images and price them at what you want. AbsoulteArts will act as the broker for sales, basically connecting buyers with photographers. There is a sales agreement spelling out the details, and they are biased towards the photographer.

Sizing your images must fit a specific parameter and I can easily say they look great!

2009-01-30T11:03:00.002-06:00

"Singular Creation Art and Photography Gallery" has accepted my work on their site and I have started a gallery there now. My core business strategy this year is to place myself in every important on-line and published creative photography source possible. By permeating every opportunity the market has to offer, I will achieve my goals quicker.

2009-01-27T15:01:00.002-06:00

"F-Stop Magazine" is an on-line photography magazine and today they informed me that they are going to publish some of my work in their next issue. That will be available on February 1st, 2009. The magazine has an interesting website and you can view some excellent work by other photographers from around the world there.

2009-01-21T00:52:00.007-06:00

I am proud to announce that Digital-fotofusion in the United Kingdom has selected me as a new member of their on-line Gallery. So I now have self-representation of my work in Europe and can add up to 30 new images a day.

Google "digital-fotofusion uk" to get to their site. To see my work click on the "Galleries" box and scroll down until you find my gallery.

I will be posting images there that I won't be posting here on my blog.

Yes, it is a gamble I am taking to gain recognition, but one that has begun to pay off - I have had 70 hits on my digital-fotofusion gallery already!

This gallery site has been created by Phil Preston whose architectural photography is outstanding. Check it out.

2009-01-16T13:24:00.002-06:00

It's a bit like gambling, you know, this drive to win grants and photo competitions, to get my work published in eclectic photography magazines, all of it leading to expiate my desire for fame. Fame gathered to me through a contract with a big publishing house, fame gathered to me like Ansel Adams or Stieglitz or Strand - some way that I can find for the world to recognize me as different.

But how can one lone photographer rise from the vast, vibrating ocean of twenty million photographers, all of who dream the same dream?

Adams and Stieglitz and Strand were pioneers working alone out in the empty stretches of a day when few could be or wanted to be famous. They didn't have an easy path by any means, but their paths were pretty much straight forward - learn your craft and go for it.

The 21st Century Photographer is a man or woman plagued by a technical shift that allows anyone and everyone to Become. . .

But I have never been one to shirk at competition or at setting a high goal for myself. I may have to climb a steeper slope to achieve my goal than my forbears, but I am standing on some great shoulders on this small piece of the time continuem that gives me as much of a chance as anyone else.

2009-01-14T13:30:00.004-06:00

Recently I have been submitting photographs and articles to over a dozen photography and special interest magazines world wide. So far I have been treated courteously and have contracted with some of them to publish my submission.

One magazine in particular, OUR IOWA, has unfortunately been rude to me. I was trying to offer a series of images from my barn documentary and was told that they work closely with the Iowa Barn Foundation on this type of architecture. I am not affiliated with that organization, which uses sub par, ameteur photography on their website and in their own quarterly magazine.

OUR IOWA is suppossed to be about Iowa by Iowans; I guess I don't qualify, even though I have lived in Iowa since 1985, and I guess my photography and my reputation doesn't meet with their editorial views.

If you have thought about buying their magazine, you might want to consider how I have been treated before sending them a subscription fee.

2009-01-13T15:30:00.003-06:00

For some time now, I have been following closely those of you who visit my site and "Illegally Download" my images onto your own computers. Some of my images have been appearing on other websites without any photo credit stating the images are mine. No one has e-mailed me to ask for my permission and have abused the privilges associated with visiting my site.

I haven't wanted to take action to stop this behavior, but unfortunately just a few bad apples are beginning to spoil things. I want to inform you that ALL of the photographs posted on my website in my galleries and on my "News Blog" are mine and protected by federal copyright laws.

I am explicitly informing those of you who download my images for their personal use that you are indeed in violation of my copyright. Soon I will take whatever steps I need t0 in order to protect myself. I am a professional photographer - that is how I make my living.

When you take my photographs without my permission, you are stealing from me.

I have kept a log of these "Illegal Downloads" and the FBI is aware I may begin prosecuting people.

I suggest you cease and desist your illegal activity.

2009-01-07T08:10:00.004-06:00

The "Iowa Heritage Illustrated", a publication of the Iowa Historical Society in Iowa City, Iowa will be publishing an upcoming issue devoted to my One-room Schoolhouse photos. They ran an outstanding, twelve-page spread on my Barn photographs in 2003 and I know that Ginalie Swaim, the editor, will do likewise with the Schoolhouses.

When I know the publishing date, I'll post it, but I think there's a good chance it will appear in their next issue.

2009-01-05T12:42:00.004-06:00

I would like to share with you some of the history of my website.

In 2006 Medrounds designed my site around what was then the central theme of my photography - documentary photography of Iowa's historic architecture. Andy Doan and his team worked closely with me to create exactly the look I desired in a professional image. Just a few months after it was up and running I had them add my "News Blog", which allowed me to post photos and essays whenever I wished.

Here is a breakdown in the number of hits I have received to my site:

2006 - 2996
2007 - 66,003
2008 - 100,497

I am very pleased by how interest in my site has grown so rapidly. To all of you who have tapped into my experiences and images - Thank you!

It is a pleasure to offer you my insight on this fascinating journey through the lens.

Best Regards,

Michael P. Harker

2008-12-15T11:03:00.002-06:00

Iowa Public Television has informed me that my new book: "Harker's One-room Schoolhouses: Visions of an Iowa Icon", will be offered as a donation "premium" during their March "Festival" fund drive, along with having a signifcant part in their documentary on Iowa's one-room schools to be aired during Festival.

I am very honored that Deb Herbold, Rich Fuller and Patty Foster at IPT have recognized the importance of my documentary book.

Many cudos to these excellent Iowans!

2008-12-09T08:40:00.003-06:00

In today's world of photography, everything reverberates with the seeming magic of "Digital", as if this medium is the be all and do all of the long evolution of the medium. The truth of the matter is that good photography still requires a thorough understanding of photographic theory, light, exposure, grey scale rendition and composition.

For just a moment, think of the art of Picasso. Did he begin as a Cubist? No - he began as a classical painter in the tradition of the European Masters. It was only after he had grasped the old techniques was he able to "transform" art into its most basic design - he learned how to carve away the unessential, in the same way Michealangilo carved away the marble to leave "David" standing.

Digital photography is really all about eliminating the mastering of the classic rendition of photography through the dependence of a camera manufacturer's idea of how the camera should capture the image, rather than using one's own intellect and experience. Photographers who are really good at the digital medium began their photography shooting film. And the film to use that best translates into shooting digital is Kodak Ektachrome 100 Pro S.

If you can get excellent detail in both the shadows and highlights with Ektachrome, then you will be well on your way to mastering the new realm of photography; because both Ektachrome and digital require very accurate exposure and light conrol to attain maximum quality.

Unfortunately, E-6 processing has all but disappeared. If you can find a E-6 lab that is still processing enough film on a daily basis to maintain the balance of the line, try shooting a dozen rolls of Ektachrome under normal and difficult lighting situations. When you have achieved good results you will then understand digital imaging.

With both mediums, overexposure is the death of your image.

Using your camera on automatic, shutter-priority and aperature-priority is a very sure way of loosing the highlight detail.

Learn to shoot in manual mode (underexpose before overexpose!) and pay attention to the results you get from using different shutter speeds and aperatures.

2008-12-07T10:24:00.002-06:00

Beginning in January, I will be creating a series of products that incorporate many of my images - greeting cards, postcards, calendars, etc.. These will be available only through my website and will be priced at an affordable rate.

If you are interested in receiving e-mails containg low-resolution versions of my products, you can send me your e-mail address to be added to my customer base.

Your privacy will be respected at all times, there will be no objectionable images and I will never share your e-mail address with anyone!

If you are a regular visitor to my site, then you should be familiar with the content I post. As always, I deeply appreciate your interest in my work and please feel free to visit Harker Photography at any time.

Best Regards,
Michael

2008-12-05T08:20:00.001-06:00

My e-mail snafu has been fixed so you can once again contact me through:

Harker@Harkerphotography.com

(or through: Harkers5063@mchsi.com)

either one is okay.

2008-12-05T08:05:00.002-06:00

I have been investigating how stock photography agencies work and carefully reading their terms and conditions for signing up with them. I have concluded that the best stock photo agency markets to sell your images on are what are known as "microstock on-line photo agencies".

What are the advantages to using Microstock over bigger Stock agencies?

First, they accept submissions from a much wider range of photographic skill levels.
Second, they pay beter commissions.
Third, they have better "exit" options if you decide to end your participation.
Fourth, they give you the opportunity to make a name for yourself before you
approach the bigger agencies.

Here is a list of seven "Microstock" agencies:

iStockphoto
Shutterstock
Dreamstime
Fotolia
StockXpert
Crestock
123RF

I suggest you visit each of their websites and very carefully read over their terms and conditions. Most of them will want exclusive, world-wide rights to your images; so you have to be selective of what you give them - you won't be able to market those images elsewhere once you commit. Compare their payouts, image resolution parameters, and other important benchmarks. Some agencies are stricter than others.

Also, browse through their image catalogs to acquaint yourself with the type of images they sell. If you want to enter the ranks of professional photography, this is a great place to begin because your start-up costs are very low - a good digital camera and your time.

2008-12-04T09:20:00.002-06:00

I have discovcered that I am not receiving my e-mails addressed to:

Harker@Harkerphotography.com

If you are trying to contact me, please use this e-mail address until I get the problem fixed:

Harkers5063@mchsi.com

I apologize for this error and I am in touch with my host to resolve the problem.

2008-12-04T08:11:00.003-06:00

Two other excellent avenues for finding a publisher is with university presses and a long list of established presses on the website "Library of Photography". To access the list of the major university presses, visit the website of "Association of American University Presses".

2008-12-03T10:29:00.002-06:00

If you have ever tried to find a publisher that would be interested in your photography idea for a book, you probably have wondered where to start. There is a great resource on the internet that lists over twenty publishers in the United States, Germany, Switzerland, Italy and England that "specialize" in publishing photography books.

Use Goggle and type in the following search phrase:

A Photo Editor - Photo Book Publisher

When the site opens, there is a long list of publisher names. By double-clicking with the left mouse button on any of them, you will be taken to their websites. Some will be in German or Italian, but don't worry, as they also have "English" versions available.

They have submission guideleines and contact information listed for each publisher and it seems to me they are for the most part open to new photographers.

Good Luck!

2008-11-25T08:05:00.003-06:00

I have entered several national and international photography competitions this week in hopes of gaining both recognition for my work and funding for projects I have in their early planning stages. These competitions are with prestigeous organizations:

Hasselblad Foundation
Aaron Siskind Foundation
Ultimate Eye Foundation
Nikon
Sony

I would encourage you to try your hand, also. Most of these that I have entered are divided between amateur and professional photographers, so even if you don't make your living as a photographer like I do, there is no reason why you can't strive for something wonderful.

Give it a shot!

2008-11-20T08:21:00.004-06:00

http://www.blurb.com/my/store/public

To view all of my self-published books on Blurb.com, click on the above link and you will immediately be taken to them - however, you must then enter the Blurb "Bookstore" to get a preview of each books content.

Thanks!

2008-11-19T07:58:00.002-06:00

Last night I met with Duane Wood, Principal, Publisher of WDG Communications, Inc. in Cedar Rapids to discuss the possibility of working with him on some of my book projects. Of particular interest was getting my documentary on Iowa's County Courthouses published.

The University of Iowa Press and I had signed a contract five years ago to do the Courthouse and One-room School projects simultaneously, but once I had completed the work, Holly Carver, Executive Director, refused to honor the contract and publish the work. I broke the contract with her and have been trying to find a new publisher all over the United States and Europe.

Now it seems I may have a publisher to take on the project - and right in my own backyard!

Duane and his talented staff will be reviewing the images and investigating all the budgetary considersations that go into publishing a book and have promised to work with me in trying to make it happen. WDG Communications normally does the design work for books for colleges and universities nation-wide and brokers the publishing.

In my case, however, they may decide to move to a different plateau. I believe it is the success of the books that the UI Press did publish from my Iowa Barns and One-room Schools that will be the deciding factor to the marketability of the Courthouse documentary.

Stay tuned and I will inform you of any developements.

2008-11-11T08:04:00.004-06:00

On October 15th, my third book with the UI Press was released - "Harker's One-room Schoolhouses: Visions of an Iowa Icon" - and is now available through bookstores, Amazon and other internet sources. It is printed on beautiful paper in full tone black and white that match the master images perfectly.

I am very proud of this, my third book with the UI Press.

Iowa Public Television received a copy of the book two weeks ago and contacted me to ask me to do an on-camera interview for an hour long documentary they are doing on Iowa's One-room schools. We met in Winterset, Iowa last Friday to shoot the interview inside the "Tusha School", a museum quality one-room school located on the grounds of the Madison County History Museum.

It was a perfect setting! We spent two hours setting up equipment and about an hour of actual shooting. Along with the interview, there will be scenes of me with my 4x5 wood field camera (the one in my portrait on my home page) showing how I set it up for my photography.

The documentary will air in March 2009 during IPTV's Spring fund drive - it will be shown twice in a forty minute edited version and then the full one hour version will air a week after the fund drive is over. This program should be excellent and if you want to get a beter impression of who I am, I hope you can tune in.

I can't wait to see it myself.

2008-10-10T09:04:00.005-05:00

Looks like the Dodgers may be the new "Come Back Kids"!

Dateline 10-28-08: I missed that one by a mile!

2008-09-15T13:28:00.002-05:00

Here are a couple of light-hearted images from the Minnesota Zoo . . .

2008-09-05T08:04:00.002-05:00

Normally I avoid controversial subjects on my blog, but today I must voice my opinion about the Republican National Convention. Peaceful protestors were met by highly armed police on the I-94 bridge in St.Paul and were mistreated and arrested. The really serious aspect of this action was that professional journalists and photographers were also arrested and had their First Amendment rights violated!

It seems clear to me that the Republican Party is beginning to act like a Fascist organization and is threatening to seize control of our country and our way of life.

I believe we must speak out against this type of action before it's too late.

2008-09-02T09:40:00.002-05:00

I have recently published two new books with Blurb.com and you can purchase them by going to the Blurb bookstore. The titles are: "Caribbean Voyage" and "Vacation Memories". If you type in my name (Michael P. Harker) in the search window, all of my books will come up. All of them have the "book preview" function and are priced modestly compared to most other books on the Blurb bookstore.

2008-08-20T08:11:00.002-05:00

One of the really great features of my Nikon D80 is the ability to shoot in B/W using green, yellow, orange or red filters - a Zone System on a chip. Here are two images I shot on Saturday in Eldora, Iowa. One is a detail of the Hardin County Courthouse and the other is a building on the west side of the town square.

2008-08-13T09:00:00.002-05:00

I have tried to get interested in the Bejing Olympics this year, but have found it difficult. Maybe it's because once again there won't be any gold medals handed out to photography - it still hasn't caught on as a truly competitive sport despite having been around for longer than modern Olympic games.

If you try to make a living as a professional photographer you learn early on that it is really competitive! Maybe it just doesn't fly as a spectator sport, eh?

2008-07-17T10:21:00.004-05:00

" Horses in a Field"

2008-07-16T12:41:00.003-05:00

"Badlands and Camels"

Are we being invaded by alien creatures?

Clouds and Angel

2008-07-14T15:22:00.002-05:00

I have taken two seperate images and used Photoshop to create a new, more dramatic Image . . .

More Clouds - June 25th, 2008

2008-06-26T14:06:00.003-05:00

We had another powerful thunderstorm roll through Cedar Rapids last night and so I have more cloud images to share.

2008-06-20T09:51:00.003-05:00

The flood waters have begun to recede in Cedar Rapids now, but there is a lot of devastation left behind. Over 6000 people are unemployed because of the damage to the business infrastructure, as many as 20,000 people are still displaced from their homes, our city library lost its entire adult book collection (over 250,000 books) and it goes on.

But at least we haven't had any more rain and for a while I won't be photographing any cloud formations like I posted in my last entry. Those kind of clouds don't come along often and I'm glad I had a chance to record the power inherent in them.

2008-06-16T08:49:00.002-05:00

The last thunderstorm to roll through Cedar Rapids, Iowa was on Saturday evening. As the sky began to clear, I captured some striking shots of a huge, rolling mass of white clouds. We have experienced a recording setting 500 year flood here and certainly do not need more rain. There is a sublime beauty in nature's display.

2008-06-11T15:28:00.002-05:00

I have watched the statistics of my website for June and I find myself amazed at how many people are visiting it - over 8500 hits in ten days! Thanks to all of you for showing so much interest.

What is a bit of a conundrum in these numbers is "why?" am I experiencing a five-fold increase in visits. I like to think that I have offered something besides the norm in sites and blogs. Believe me when I say I try hard to make things lively and interesting.

If you could take a few moments to send me your comments I would really appreciate it.

Best Regards,

Michael

2008-05-28T08:18:00.002-05:00

My long career in photography begins another chapter on June 4th - I will be doing Public Relations Photography for the Holden Cancer Clinic at the University of Iowa Hospitals in Iowa City. After over eleven years as an Ophthalmic Photographer in the Department of Ophthamology at UIHC, I will be returning to my roots with assignments for marketing and advertising for the Cancer Clinic.

I have always believed that it is important to take on new challenges to keep an active interest in the profession. Everyone eventually gets burned out on the same diet.

Cheers!

2008-04-23T08:46:00.002-05:00

If you have been a regular visitor to my Blog or are visiting here for the first time, you will notice that I carry absolutely no advertising. I firmly believe in communicating with you without clutter and without "selling out" to commercialism in order to earn meager royalties from advertisers.

I established my Blog on the premise of Freedom of the Press as envisioned by the Founding Fathers - direct exchange of ideas without regulation or encumbrances.

I hope you appreciate this small gesture and I appreciate your support.

All My Best,

Michael

2008-04-14T09:33:00.009-05:00

I want to share these images with you - they are from my book "Transformations".

2008-03-24T14:51:00.003-05:00

If you have found my website on Google, try checking out Ember Harker Photography - she's my niece and is the only member of my family following in my footsteps. Her main business is graphic design for clients in Oakland and the Bay area.

Ember has done some fantastic things with her camera and her training is not even in photography. She's all self-taught.

2008-03-03T09:15:00.002-06:00

" A Treatise On Change"

Since the earliest days of my career in photography I have experienced a changing path towards my goals. At first the change was of my own making, for in the necessity of gaining technical skills and professional experience, I moved from job to job. The most difficult move was to Minneapolis in January of 1979, as it was a big city where I had no friends. The Twin Cities are a wonderful place to live, but when you make minimum wage, a social life is more like hibernation.

But I learned the essential skills for success as a commercial photographer there.

In the mid-phase of my career I searched for a more lasting stability to grow my economic well being. But for over fifteen years the national and local economies forced me to move about seeking employment.

When I began working at the University of Iowa Hospital in February of 1997, I thought I had found the place that would carry me to retirement. Now I find that due to changing technical requirements for my job, I am once again having to move on. I will probably be securing a position in Bettendorf, Iowa. I grew up in the Quad Cities and I find it strange that I will be coming full circle to my beginnings.

If you are thinking of pursuing a career as a professional photographer, always keep in mind that it is a difficult and winding road that you will walk. Don't let that scenario discourage you - what you will gain in the end is a greater sense of humanity and of how you fit in to our race. The keeness of observation that photographers need to succeed illuminates the meaning of life and helps clarify the world in a way no other tribulation can.

Go for it!

2008-02-28T09:54:00.003-06:00

My next book from the University of Iowa Press, "Harker's One-room Schoolhouses", is slated for release in December. Paul Theobald of Buffalo State College holds a PHD in rural and urban education and has written an excellent introduction. Jim Heynen, who wrote the essays in"Harker's Barns" has reviewed the Schoolhouse book and highly praises it as a sequel to "Harker's Barns".

To view some of the images used in the book, please visit my gallery on one-room schools.

New Books

2008-01-02T13:11:00.000-06:00

I have finished "self-publishing" three new books, which are posted on Blurb.com "Bookstore":

TRANSFORMATIONS - an 80-page book of digitally manipulated
photographs, sells for $25.95 plus shipping

EXHIBITION PRINTS - a 40-page book of B&W photographs,
sells for $15.95 plus shipping.

MADISON COUNTY: BRIDGES AND BEYOND - an 80-page book with 93 B&W photos, sells for $25.95 plus shipping

Take a look and let me know what you think.

2007-12-13T20:33:00.000-06:00

On Saturday night, December 8th, Oprah Winfrey and Barack Obama came to the U.S. Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids to campaign for the Democractic nomination of Obama. Here are a few photos from the event.

Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Brown Stump With John Edwards

2007-11-22T06:32:00.001-06:00

On Monday night, November 20th, I had the pleasure of attending John Edwards' campaign event in Sincliar Auditorium at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Brown opened the event with a free concert - forty minutes of great music.

John Edwards gave an excellent speech that lasted for about an hour. I am a Democrat but I don't endorse any candidate here on my blog. I recommend that you see all the candidates in person, as you will have much better impressions of them as potential leaders. Edwards is a man with some good ideas.

2007-11-19T09:52:00.000-06:00

It is with pleasure that I want to announce that my book on Iowa's One-room Schools has begun the production phase of publication. Paul Theobald of Buffalo State College in Buffalo, NY, has written a wonderful introduction. Paul holds a doctorate degree in Rural and Urban Education whose books are used as texts for graduate level courses.

My other book, Iowa's County Courthouses, will enter the production phase by year's end.

Both books should be available in early 2009.

2007-09-11T08:09:00.000-05:00

Since posting my price list for inkjet prints I have received some orders, and though I still have my darkroom and have the capacity to make silver gelatin prints, I will bring the era of darkroom prints to a close on December 31st of 2007. It is becoming more difficult to obtain quality black and white enlarging paper and I can produce outstanding inkjet images for much less.

If you have been giving consideration to ordering a silver gelatin print, I just wanted you to know that time is running out.

Thanks,
Michael

New Price List

2007-05-04T03:15:00.001-05:00

New Price List - Effective May 4th, 2007:

The price list associated with my galleries was created for silver gelatin prints. (Those prices will not be changing.)

However, I now have an excellent ink jet printer that utilizes the latest in archival inks and papers and can now offer an alternative product at a substantially lower price. The tonal range of these prints are excellent and look great when framed. Prices are the same for either B/W or color prints.

8-1/2 x 11 inch prints - $ 25
11 x 14 inch prints - $ 45
13 x 19 inch prints - $ 75

Shipping is based on weight of package; all print orders will be shipped with adequate protection from damage. I accept money orders only and payment must be made in advance. You can place your order by e-mailing me: Harker@Harkerphotography.com

I will calculate the total price of your order (including shipping). My mailing address is:

2543 Vernon CT. S.E.
Cedar Rapids, IA 52403
319-365-8613 (for phone orders)

Thank you.

Michael

2007-04-20T19:09:00.000-05:00

I want to express my thanks to eveyrone who visited my website on April 18th - 1115 of you took time out from your busy schedules to drop in for a few moments of curiosity about who I am, what my photography means and how I can be of some guidance in your own journeys through this turbulent world via the lens and capture modusof a camera.

This was a record setting day for my website.

All of us who work hard to communicate to people by this marvel of modern technology realize that our efforts to be positive in life is really no different from what every visionary of all ages has tried to do. No matter what the medium of their day gave them - papyrus, stone, illuminated manuscripts, Guttgenrburg Press, or evey other innovation. The one constant from Aristotle, Socrates, Plato and Descartes is that we benefit from the Cosmic Consciences of our convoluted Universe.

Feedback!

My growth gets energy from all of you - just as musicians play their best music when the audience cheers and stomps.

Not very many of you know who Michael P. Harker is - often I don't even know.

I like to explore possiblities. And I will always pass on what I encounter and record in my journeys until I pass on to the Eternal.

Many thanks to all of you.

Michael

2007-03-28T19:51:00.000-05:00

Those of you who have purchased "Harker's Barns" and "Still Standing" are my defacto supporters - I had promised you about a year ago that "Harker's Courthouses" and "Harker's Schools" would be my next books. These follow-up works are part of my committment to the people of Iowa. I want to let you know that they will be published, just not as soon as I thought.

Both books have been delayed due to technical problems normal with book publishing, especially photography books, as the design and printing process has more challenges than novels or collections of short stories and poetry.

They were tentavely scheduled for release in Spring of 2008, but probably won't be ready that soon. I will keep you informed as things progress towards a more definite release date.

2007-03-28T17:52:00.000-05:00

Here are the images selected by TCB Cafe Publishing for their book from the contest "A Smile Is Worth A Thousand Words":

2007-03-08T19:13:00.000-06:00

In September of 2006 I entered a photo contest sponsored by TCB Cafe Publishing out of San Fransisco with the theme "A Smile is Worth A Thousand Words". TCB is a publisher of major magazines for food and wine conniseurs and the corporation believes in supporting photographers in their effort to gain national recognition.

They approach their mission seriously and hold these contests with the goal of publishing a hard-bound book of the finalists' images and a travelling exhibit of these images that tours the United States. The winners are given publicity in over a dozen major magazines and major galleries and museums are notified also.

I am extremely proud to announce that I have been chosen as a finalist.

On March 15th, I will go to TCB's website and get the details of what it means to be a finalist and what will be required of me to fulfill my obligations as such. I will then post the images I submitted that they have chosen for the book.

You will not be disappointed.

I strongly urge you to visit their website and enter your own work in the 2007 competition. To become a finalist means an excellent opportunity to enter the national limelight as an emerging photographer.

Please feel free to e-mail the folks at TCB Cafe Publishing if you support my work as a photographer from Iowa and let them know you appreciate their sensitivity to an artist not necessarily from New York or Los Angeles.

It is always a pivotal moment when someone from the backwaters of American culture has something important to offer.

I graciously want to thank everyone who visits my website - it gives me great pleasure to know that hundreds of you do so on a daily basis.

Sincerely Yours,

Michael P. Harker

Portrait of Harker by Andriani Franciosi from Brazil

2007-02-05T11:40:00.000-06:00

2007-01-04T15:44:00.000-06:00

I have designed a brochure for Harker Photography and would be happy to mail a copy to anyone requesting it. This promotional piece highlights the documentary photography genres that I work in and has all of my contact information for anyone looking for a photographer with my special touch.

2006-07-16T11:02:00.000-05:00

The St. Louis Arch

2006-07-16T10:57:00.000-05:00

The St. Louis Arch

2006-05-02T14:01:00.000-05:00

On April 26th, I completed the master black and white photographs and text for my next book - a photo documentary of Iowa's county courthouses. I turned everything over to Holly Carver, Director of University of Iowa Press and the publishing process has begun. Normally, it takes about a year and a half to publish a book, especially a coffee table photography book. So look for it to be available in the spring of 2008, with the probable title of "Harker's Courthouses".

By the end of August I will finish everything for my fourth book - a photo documentary of Iowa's one-room schools. It also will be published by the UI Press and should be available sometime in the fall of 2008 as "Harker's Schools".

2006-03-02T07:47:00.000-06:00

Occassionaly I get requests to post specific photographs here. Today I have been asked to exhibit two of my courthouse images by Betty White, who has been very active in helping to save and restore the Johnson County Courthouse in Iowa City, Iowa.

2006-02-14T14:21:00.000-06:00

Good News! My second book, "Still Standing", published by the University of Iowa Press, will be available for purchase on March 1st, 2006. This is a book of postcards containing 30 images, of which the ten best from "Harker's Barns" and twenty images never published before, are showcased. Sells retail for $9.95 and can be ordered on the internet from Amazon books, Barnes & Noble and many other bookstores.

2006-01-24T12:03:00.000-06:00

On Saturday, January 21st, I gave a lecture on the making of my book, Harker's Barns, at the Carnegie Library Museum in Perry, Iowa. As a member of Humanities Iowa Speaker's Bureau, the lecture was sponsored by HI and Hometown Perry Iowa Association. For the next two months, twenty of the photographs from the book will be on display at the Library Museum if you are interested in viewing my black and white photographs.

The Hotel Patee, across the street from the Carnegie Library Museum, is only one of three AAA Diamond rated hotels in Iowa and it is a First Class experience!

If you are looking for a great weekend getaway, try visiting Perry and seeing my exhibit at the Museum.

Ask for Shirley Keenan at the Museum and she will be happy to tell you all about the Railroad history and other facts of this great small Iowa community.

2005-12-14T10:03:00.000-06:00

Images of the Caribbean

Treasure Island Portfolio Two

2005-12-05T05:02:00.000-06:00

The Star Clipper and the Treasure Islands

Prints may be purchased for disply purposes. Please contact me by e-mail:

Harker@Harkerphotography.com

The Treasure Islands and Star Clipper

2005-10-20T08:40:00.000-05:00

Photography has a mystery to it that captures the imagination of both the person behind the camera and the people who get to view the results from outside the image making process. Neither particpates without the other. And so communication becomes the true reason for anyone delving into the medium, whether it is used primarily as a means of personal introspection or as a form of mass communication.
When I was working on my degree in Professional Photography at Southern Illinois University in the mid-seventies, Marshall McClullen's philosphy that "the medium is the message" was the prime genitor shaping student work and professional aspirations. We felt we must not only be capable of mastering the technical parameters of photography, but that it was essential to understand how our images conveyed meaning.

It has taken me thirty years to meld my self-directed communication to please both myself and those viewing my work onto the same plateau; and what a journey it has been. These images I have installed as the permanent items on my main website and as the fluid, changing images on this blog, are here to demonstrate what I have achieved and what aspiring new photographers can do with their own vision and energy.

I appreciate that so many of you visit my site to see what new photographs await for your curiosity. Feel free to contact me at any time to chat about what you see and to also share your own work. I have learned many good things about photography through the dialogue and portfolios of others and hope that I can give the same.

2005-10-17T13:53:00.000-05:00

When I was in the army I was stationed in Mannheim, Germany from June of 1971 through April of 1972. My passion for photography began there after learning how to process black and white film and make prints in the darkroom in the enlisted men's club. Hans Jurgen-Heider, a German professional photographer, had been hired by the U.S. Army to run the darkroom.

Hans and I became friends and he tutored me in photolab procedures. I have to credit him for being my inspiration to become a professional photographer myself. One of my earliest photos was almost identical to this one of Heidelberg, shot from the north bank of the Necker River.

2005-10-12T14:00:00.000-05:00

As part of my ongoing documentary photography of Iowa, I want to share some new color images with you. There is an abandoned farmstead, a 1949 Dodge, a steamtrain and a Goldfinch. I hope you enjoy them.

2005-10-05T13:53:00.000-05:00

The grain elevators in rural Iowa are complex architectural entities that once thrived in just about every small town and community. Sadly, they are disappearing due to obsolescence and neglect.

The town of Shellsburg has not only kept this elevator standing but functional. The quality of soft light on the patched walls and conveyor belts makes this an ideal subject for a black and white image.

2005-10-05T13:38:00.000-05:00

Rural life with its sense of life from the Earth
and its ultimate route to Eternity finds a sense
of humor and reverence.

Just what are these precocious children
up to?

Hope abides one's final rest.

2005-10-05T08:44:00.000-05:00

I photographed Mt. Rushmore in August of 2003 with my 4x5 Tachyhara wood field camera. The journey from my car to the observation plaform with forty pounds of equipment was somewhat arduous but well worth the effort. The reality of the monument in person brought tears to my eyes that the image here can't replicate.

2005-09-28T07:38:00.000-05:00

Iowa is an interesting place to photograph and even after twenty years of working and living here I still experience it as a gem. I sometimes make images that tend to haunt me a little and make me question the metaphysical implications. This image with the striking white face of a black cow in a sea of green pasture on first inspection seems simple. But it evolved as something much more complex on a personal level after I made a big print of it. Please let me know what you think.