Tag Archives: clouds

To be Simple

Posted on January 5, 2010 | Leave a comment

To be Simple is to be Great!

While on Christmas vacation, this sign caught my eye in a restaurant. It isn’t a great image but I liked the message. This is a meaningful message to me in life as well as in photography.

I have posted messages about simplicity before but the sign at the top of this post reminded me again of the importance of simplicity in your photos. The picture below is very simple but allows me to wonder what is the story behind this deserted homestead. I ask questions like “did anyone ever live here?’, “where did they go when they left,?”, or “do their descendants live in a newer house and farm the land in the background?”

In a simple photo, the viewer gets the message of what you feel is important in the image. If they want to they can fill in the blanks or read between the lines. When you look for simplicity many times it is just as important to know what to leave out of the composition as it is to know what elements to include.

Remember, keeping the concept of simplicity in mind as you create your compositions may provide you with stronger message in your images.

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Posted in Palouse Landscapes, Photography Advice

Tagged clouds, farming, homestead, landscape, Palouse, photography

Creating Depth in Your Landscapes

Posted on December 8, 2009 | Leave a comment

ghamburghDSC_4780-2-Fog-on-a-Winter-Morning

When shooting landscapes in the Palouse, I like to use the layers of the rolling terrain to add depth to the image. As you can see in the image at the top of this post the contours of the hills help to show that the fog is in the distance. To me it is important to create as much depth as I can in a landscape by showing foreground as in the first layer of the field, midground where the barn is located and finally the background where the fog is viewed.

Using layers to create more interest in your landscapes gives your eyes the chance to keep moving through the image. The contours in the Palouse allow you to utilize this technique very effectively.

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Posted in Palouse Landscapes, Photography Advice

Tagged barn, clouds, landscape, Palouse, photography

Use Changing light and conditions to add interest

Posted on November 21, 2009 | Leave a comment

GHamburghDSC_6681January-Morning-at-Winn-Barn

I am always looking for a different perspective of photographing familiar areas and subjects. One of my favorite barns is located on Winn Road near Weston, Oregon. This is about one hour south of the Palouse. I visit this barn at all times of the year and at various times of the day. I am rarely disappointed in the images I capture at this spot.

On a January morning, I arrived at this barn about 30 minutes before sunrise and prepared to capture the barn at sunrise. To my delight as the sun was rising a fog filled the area where the barn was situated. I took my first image which is shown at the top of this post. As I waited the light was changing as can be seen in the image below. I also liked the black and white version of this image so included it as well.

GHamburghDSC_6699-January-Morning-at-Winn-Barn-2

GHamburghDSC_6699-January-Morning-at-Winn-Barn-2-b&w

Finally as the sun got higher in the sky the fog lifted and the barn and its clouds were very visible as seen in the final image. As you can see, by remaining in place I was able to capture several different images with a variety of moods of the same composition.

GHamburghDSC_6709-January-Morning-at-Winn-Barn-3

I would suggest trying this procedure as you may be amazed at the image that is available with just a change of light or conditions.

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Posted in Palouse Landscapes, Photography Advice

Tagged barn, clouds, fog, landscape, Palouse, photography

Early Morning Skies

Posted on October 2, 2009 | Leave a comment

Clouds Fill the Morning Sky - Copyright Gary Hamburgh 2009 - All Rights Reserved

I was driving the road between Palouse, Wa and Potlatch, Id for a sunrise shoot of a barn I had spotted the day before. As I came around a corner the image at the top of this post came into view. I immediately pulled over and setup up my tripod and camera to capture the sky and the early morning light on the grasses.

I love to travel the roads of the Palouse in the early morning to experience this kind of beauty that exists in the land and skies of that area. After taking this image, I proceeded to the barn and was still early enough to get some good images. I guess I would say to be ready to alter your plans and be prepared for the outstanding vistas that you may encounterI was driving the road between Palouse, Wa and Potlatch, Id for a sunrise shoot of a barn I had spotted the day before. As I came around a corner the image at the top of this post came into view. I immediately pulled over and setup up my tripod and camera to capture the sky and the early morning light on the grasses.

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Posted in Palouse Landscapes

Tagged clouds, landscape, Palouse, photography

Friendly Folks in the Palouse

Posted on October 1, 2009 | 1 comment

After a morning shoot at Steptoe Butte, I was traveling toward Oakesville when I spotted the barn in the image above. The rain was coming down in a steady downpour but I stopped to look around. I saw a house back in the trees and decided to ask for a property release so I could come back and shoot the barn later.

I came to find out a few minutes later that the owners of the barn were a friendly couple that invited me in for some coffee and conversation. They told the story of how they had acquired the barn and were raising Arabian horses. After about an hour, we noticed it had stopped raining so they wanted to show me the barn up close as well as show me their horses.

This experience is very similar to many that I have had in the Palouse. The folks that live there are very warm and friendly and welcome you with open arms. Plan on spending some enjoyable time if you engage someone in conversation.

Needless to say, I left with a property release, some great images and a couple of new friends that assured me I was welcome to return at any time for a visit and also to photograph the barn and horses.

Horses near Red Barn - Copyright Gary Hamburgh 2009 - All Rights Reserved

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Posted in Palouse Landscapes

Tagged barn, clouds, horse, landscape, Palouse, photography

Develop Your Artist’s Statement

Posted on September 21, 2009 | 1 comment

Union Barn in Early Light - Copyright by Gary Hamburgh 2009- All Rights Reserved

It is important to develop an artist’s statement so that you can share your vision with other’s who may be interested in your work. My mentor Scott Bourne has written an excellent article discussing this topic. I have included that article which is titled “Do You Have An Artist’s Statement?”

I hope you take the time to develop an artist’s statement so that you may convey to your audience your vision for your work.

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Posted in Photography Advice

Tagged barn, clouds, landscape, photography

Grain Elevators in the Palouse

Posted on August 23, 2009 | 3 comments

Grain Elevator on Harvey Shaw Road - Copyright Gary Hamburgh 2009 - All Rights Reserved

While traveling through the Palouse, it is always nice to shoot the beautiful contours, shapes and colors. In addition I like to include barns and old homesteads in the images. I would like to suggest another element of architecture that is often overlooked and that is the grain elevators.

Rolling Hills Lead to the Valley - Copyright Gary Hamburgh - All Rights Reserved

Grain elevators are in abundance in this region and are a very important part of the economy and lifestyle of the grain growers in the Palouse. These large structures can be seen in the countryside as well as in many of the towns. They are typically very large and many times fill the sky as you come upon them. They can be made of various materials but the most of them are made of concrete or steel. Each one seems to have a character of its own and is definitely an addition to the landscape or the overall look of small town.

Harvesting near a Grain Elevator - Copyright Gary Hamburgh 2009 - All Rights Reserved

In this post I have included several elevators and attempted to show how they can be the focus of your compostion or just an element with the overall context of the image.

Grain Elevator in Morning Light - Copyright Gary Hamburgh - All Rights Reserved

I would suggest that you start a collection of images of these awesome gigantic structures that are one of the symbols of life in the Palouse. I find it rewarding and sometimes a challenge to photograph these elevators. Give it a try and enjoy the opportunity as well as the result.

Grain Elevator Fills the Sky - Copyright Gary Hamburgh - All Rights Reserved

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Posted in Palouse Landscapes, Photography Advice

Tagged agriculture, clouds, combine, elevator, farming, grain elevator, harvest, harvester, John Deere, landscape, photography, wheat

Choose your Combine by Color

Posted on August 17, 2009 | 1 comment

John Deere Combine 1 by Gary Hamburgh - All Rights Reserved

When shooting harvest in the Palouse not only are you treated to some beautiful landscape, but the various colors of the farm equipment adds to your images.

John Deere Combine 2 by Gary Hamburgh - All Rights Reserved

John Deere combine 3 by Gary Hamburgh - All Rights Reserved

In this post I am going to mainly just share images with you that were taken during the wheat harvest last week in the Palouse. The harvests showing the John Deere and Case combines were shot near Steptoe Butte. Each of the growers that was using these two brands was harvesting between 8500 and 10,000 acres. These are large operations and involve several combines and trucks at each location.

Case IH Combine 3 by Gary Hamburgh - All Rights Reserved

Case IH Combine by Gary Hamburgh - All Rights Reserved

Case IH Combine 1 by Gary Hamburgh - All Rights Reserved

The harvest showing the Gleaner equipment was shot near Dayton, WA. They were harvesting only 4500 acres and using two combines. In this process a tractor pulls a wagon up to the high country where the grain is emptied then the tractor pulls the wagon down to where it is loaded in a truck.

Gleaner Combine 2 by Gary Hamburgh - All Rights Reserved

Gleaner Combine 1 by Gary Hamburgh - All Rights Reserved

Gleaner Combine 3 by Gary Hamburgh - All Rights Reserved

The dog in the last picture belongs to the man driving the combine. He runs with the combine all day, every day during the harvest.

Try to get to the Palouse to photograph the harvest. It is a colorful scene and very interesting to observe. Hopefully the images in this post let you experience some of the process and scenery that is involved during the wheat harvest.

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Posted in Palouse Landscapes, Photography Advice

Tagged agriculture, clouds, combine, farming, harvest, harvester, John Deere, landscape, Palouse, photography, Steptoe Butte, tractor, wheat, wheat field

Cloudy day can add vibrance to colors

Posted on August 10, 2009 | Leave a comment

Railroad Bridge in Palouse by Gary Hamburgh - All Rights Reserved

The idea that prompted me to write this post was taken from a short video by Scott Bourne who talked about shooting on a cloudy day. Many times the skies are not what we would like to include in the image so don’t.

An advantage of shooting on a cloudy day is that the sky acts as a giant diffuser. This controls the normal midday harshness and provides a softer more flattering light. With this softer light colors become more vibrant. In the photo at the top of this post, you can see the effect of the softer light even though this image was taken near midday.

This railroad bridge is near the entrance to the town of Palouse coming from Colfax, WA. I was standing on a bridge that is the main road into town as I took the photo. It is a convenient place to shoot as there is a place to park and you can shoot the creek from either direction.

Remember on a cloudy day be prepared for some beautiful, vibrant colors in your images due to the soft, diffused light.

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Posted in Palouse Landscapes, Photography Advice

Tagged clouds, landscape, Palouse, photography

Use lines and patterns to move through an image

Posted on June 26, 2009 | 6 comments

Patterns in the Hay by Gary Hamburgh - All Rights Reserved

As you are composing your images look for elements to use as leading lines. in the image above I used the patterns in the hay to draw attention to the barns and lead you through the image.

In the second image the grass leads to the ramp and up to the door. It invites you to enter the barn as well as enter the image and explore.

Entrance to Old Barn by Gary Hamburgh - All Rights Reserved

In the final image below the diagonal line of the grass leads your eye to the barn and on throughout the image. The road also adds to leading you through the image by taking you to the stop sign in the distance.

Red Barn near Dirt Road by Gary Hamburgh - All Rights Reserved

These are just a few examples of using elements as you compose to add interest and provide an entry point and a way for your eye to move through the image.

6 Comments

Posted in Palouse Landscapes, Photography Advice

Tagged agriculture, barn, clouds, farming, harvest, landscape, Palouse, photography

Tag Archives: clouds

To be Simple

Creating Depth in Your Landscapes

Use Changing light and conditions to add interest

Early Morning Skies

Friendly Folks in the Palouse

Develop Your Artist’s Statement

Grain Elevators in the Palouse

Choose your Combine by Color

Cloudy day can add vibrance to colors

Use lines and patterns to move through an image

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