Tag Archives: grain elevator

Viveza 2 – Great Selective Tool

Morning Light on Rolling Hills - Copyright Gary Hamburgh 2008 - All Rights Reserved

Last month I attended a convention in Reno where Nik software was being displayed and demonstrated. After attending the session, I purchased Viveza 2 which is designed for precise selective photo editing.

The software uses control points that select based on color, tonality, and texture of the object they are placed upon. Several control points can be used and they communicate with each other so a precise and natural selection is obtained.

The selective process is simple, fast and accurate. It makes it unnecessary to create complicated masks and selections. Some of the new features in this version include shadow adjustment, structure and levels and curves.

The images below show a before and after example based on using the program.

Flowers on a Hill - Copyright Gary Hamburgh 2008 - All Rights Reserved

Before

Flowers on a Hill - Copyright Gary Hamburgh 2008 - All Rights Reserved

After
I highly recommend this product and it can be used with Photoshop, Aperture and Lightroom.

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

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