Tag Archives: farming

Experience Creativity

GHamburgh_MG_2218-Farm-in-the-Palouse

Farm in the Palouse - Copyright Gary Hamburgh 2009 - All Rights Reserved

Creativity for most of us at times seems to be elusive. It seems we have the tendency in our work to go into a deep fog. It is difficult to drag ourselves out because we feel we have to do something totally awesome to get our creativity back.

My mentor Scott Bourne has posted an article on Photofocus that speaks to this issue of creativity. I find it very insightful as it offers some perspectives I hadn’t considered. Give it a read and see if the points hit home with you.

The final thought expresses being creative is “being you”.

Include something familiar to add perspective

High Atop a Bankout Wagon - Copyright Gary Hamburgh 2009 - All Rights Reserved

High Atop a Bankout Wagon - Copyright Gary Hamburgh 2009 - All Rights Reserved

Sometimes it is hard to get the perspective of how large an object, tree, rock or landmark is in a particular image. This is especially true as I like to emphasize the enormity of the equipment used during wheat harvest in the Palouse.

In the photo at the top of the page, I have used one of the workers as he was perched high on a bankout wagon to give perspective to the size of this equipment. These bankout wagons are used in areas where it is not convenient or possible to get a semi-truck and trailer into the field to empty the combine. The bankout wagon is pulled by a tractor to the bottom of the hill where it is unloaded into the semi-truck and trailer so the wheat can be hauled to a grain elevator.

Visit the Palouse and get ready to be amazed at the tremendous size of the equipment. Just the tires alone are almost as tall as a man. Remember using something or someone of a familiar size can add perspective to objects in your images.

In the photo at the top of the page, I have used one of the workers as he was perched high on a bankout wagon to give perspective to the size of this equipment. These bankout wagons are used in areas where it is not convenient or possible to get a semi-truck and trailer into the field to empty the combine. The bankout wagon is pulled by a tractor to the bottom of the hill where it us unloaded into the semi-truck and trailer so the wheat can be hauled to a grain elevator.
Visit the Palouse and get ready to be amazed at the tremendous size of the equipment. Just the tires alone are almost as tall as a man. Remember using something or someone of a familiar size can add perspective to objects in your imagesSometimes it is hard to get the perspective of how large an object, tree, rock or landmark is in a particular image. This is especially true as I like to emphasize the enormity of the equipment used during wheat harvest in the Palouse.
In the photo at the top of the page, I have used one of the workers as he was perched high on a bankout wagon to give perspective to the size of this equipment. These bankout wagons are used in areas where it is not convenient or possible to get a semi-truck and trailer into the field to empty the combine. The bankout wagon is pulled by a tractor to the bottom of the hill where it us unloaded into the semi-truck and trailer so the wheat can be hauled to a grain elevator.
Visit the Palouse and get ready to be amazed at the tremendous size of the equipment. Just the tires alone are almost as tall as a man. Remember using something or someone of a familiar size can add perspective to objects in your images.

Transporting the wheat to market

The last few weeks I have been photographing the wheat harvest and sharing aspects of that process.

Waiting to Load - Copyright Gary Hamburgh 2009 - All Rights Reserved

Waiting to Load - Copyright Gary Hamburgh 2009 - All Rights Reserved

Yesterday as I was leaving Colfax on my way to Walla Walla I decided to stop at Central Ferry and watch another part of getting the wheat to market.

It is a colorful process watching the tugboats and barges as they wait to be filled and then start on the long journey downriver to market. Central Ferry is located on the Snake River and it is interesting to watch the large trucks unload and then eventually the grain is transferred from the elevators to the waiting barges.

Getting Underway - Copyright Gary Hamburgh 2009-All Rights Reserved

Getting Underway - Copyright Gary Hamburgh 2009-All Rights Reserved

Take the opportunity to visit Central Ferry and you will get some great images as well as be able to see still another step in the wheat harvest.

Headed Downriver to Market - Copyright Gary Hamburgh 2009 - All Rights Reserved

Headed Downriver to Market - Copyright Gary Hamburgh 2009 - All Rights Reserved

Create images that share your experiences

Combines at Harvest - Copyright Gary Hamburgh - All Rights Reserved

Combines at Harvest - Copyright Gary Hamburgh - All Rights Reserved

I have stated many times that “I hope to share the beauty that i see with others.” That is my goal as a photographer to share the actual experience that I am having with others.  I love to see vibrant exciting scenes that depict what is actually happening  at the time. I attempt to put myself in a position and frame of mind so I can feel like I am part of the environment and then capture that so others can enjoy that experience later.

I have shown the entire scene as I saw it in the photo at the top. In the second photo i was riding in the combine with the driver to show the details that he sees as he is cutting the wheat. I must admit that it is an awesome experience riding in the combine especially as the terrain steepens.

View from a Combine - Copyright Gary Hamburgh - All Rights Reserved

View from a Combine - Copyright Gary Hamburgh - All Rights Reserved

As you create and share your images with others consider the idea of helping to give them the same sense of time and place that you experienced. I believe this will help you to be more creative and give more impact to your images.

Controlling artifacts in your images

Heading to Unload - Copyright Gary Hamburgh 2009 _ All Rights Reserved

Heading to Unload - Copyright Gary Hamburgh 2009 _ All Rights Reserved

I am sharing an article that discusses a very real problem that can exist in some of your images. The problem is artifacts which are blotchy or jagged areas that appear in the image when you zoom in.

This article was written by Nicole Young and was published by Scott Bourne on Photofocus.  The article explains artifacts and offers some advice for avoiding the problem.

I hope you find this article helpful and will utilize the information as you are creating wonderful images.

Combines at Work - Copyright Gary Hamburgh 2009 - All Rights Reserved

Combines at Work - Copyright Gary Hamburgh 2009 - All Rights Reserved

Grain Elevators in the Palouse

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dust as a Creative Element in Your Images

 

Light Filters through Dust and Chaff - Copyright Gary Hamburgh 2009 - All Rights Reserved

Light Filters through Dust and Chaff - Copyright Gary Hamburgh 2009 - All Rights Reserved

A week or so ago, I posted about being careful while shooting the harvest because of the extreme dust. I suggested protecting your gear with rain covers.

 

Dust surrounds Truck - Copyright Gary Hamburgh 2009 - All Rights Reserved

Dust surrounds Truck - Copyright Gary Hamburgh 2009 - All Rights Reserved

 

 

 

 

 

Last night I had the privilege of shooting the wheat harvest in the Palouse again. This time after protecting my gear, I decided to use the dust that literally fills the air at times as an element to enhance my images. By using the dust in the image a more complete story of the harvest is told. After all, this is dry land farming with no irrigation and dust is very prevalent.

 

 

Combine Silhouette at Sunset - Copyright Gary Hamburgh 2009 - All Rights Reserved

Combine Silhouette at Sunset - Copyright Gary Hamburgh 2009 - All Rights Reserved

 By planning for the dust it can emphasize the conditions of the field and also give some substance to the lighting conditions. Remember if used with some forethought dust may become your friend.

Make your Images into Products

 A Deere against the Sky - Copyright Gary Hamburgh 2009 - All Rights Reserved

A Deere against the Sky - Copyright Gary Hamburgh 2009 - All Rights Reserved

I am going to share this great post entitled “Want to go Pro? Productize Your Work” by my friend and mentor Scott Bourne. Be creative in putting your images into a product.

Visit the Palouse and share your great images with the world on a collection of products.

Choose your Combine by Color

John Deere Combine 1 by Gary Hamburgh - All Rights Reserved

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 2 by Gary Hamburgh - All Rights Reserved

John Deere combine 3 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 3 by Gary Hamburgh - All Rights Reserved

Case IH Combine 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

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 2 by Gary Hamburgh - All Rights Reserved

Gleaner Combine 1 by Gary Hamburgh - All Rights Reserved

Gleaner Combine 1 by Gary Hamburgh - All Rights Reserved

Gleaner Combine 3 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.

Protecting Your Gear in Dusty Conditions

Combine Kicks up Dust by Gary Hamburgh - All Rights Reserved

Combine Kicks up Dust by Gary Hamburgh - All Rights Reserved

I recently spent the last week shooting wheat harvest in the Palouse area near Colfax, WA. It was a great experience and the scenery was terrific. I quickly became very much aware that I needed to protect my camera gear from the dust that is kicked up by the combines.

The best way to protect your gear in these dusty conditions is with the rain covers you use when you shoot in the rain. They will also protect and keep dust off your gear. I have rarely been in conditions with the extreme dust and chaff that is surrounding you continually. Another word of caution, don’t get directly behind the combine as they are spewing out excessive amounts of dust and chaff whenever they are cutting. In addition to protecting your gear wear something to cover yourself as well because you will be extracting dirt and straw from your person for quite a while if you don’t.

Dust and Chaff in the Air by Gary Hamburgh - All Rights Reserved

Dust and Chaff in the Air by Gary Hamburgh - All Rights Reserved

In the images that are displayed in this post hopefully you get the idea of the dust and debris that is present. Have a great time shooting the harvest but be prepared so you and your gear can have a more enjoyable time.