rborud Loc: Minnesota

Hi All
This is an image from a completed book of these that I call sentinels of the prairies. This particular one is one of the few older wooden ones. Amazingly it has been received especially well. And oddly enough because of the collection of power lines. These I left in when I realized their importance after the PP.
I would like to hear the opinions of UHH peers, on something we usually revile and remove.
Thanks for looking RBorud

(Download)

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Please talk more about this book, rborud! How it came about, whether it's for sale and how being used.

I love everything about your shot. The subject, composition, pp all interest me.

Regarding your specific question, in this case the wires are very much a part of the story IMO. Strong lines, a sense of old - and you were cognizant of not hiding the window behind the pole

In general I would remove a "stray" wire or pole if it was distracting from the story. In that case I would treat similar to a piece of litter or an annoying single little branch covering a bird's head.

It sounds like initially your vision was to remove the pole and wires where I see this result as very deliberately chosen. If you can talk a little more about what you thought at the moment of shooting and how you changed your mind, it would be interesting and helpful.

Thanks for a super-cool image and discussion!

(edit - the most recent of my own that comes to mind is #2 in the below link
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-452643-1.html

My first posting included a pole that was piercing the llama - not a good thing - lol. But I kept the other (with wires) because of its position and shape, being an integral part of the collection of what I found to be very appealing silhouettes on that little rise in the road.)

rborud Loc: Minnesota

Linda
I thank you for your comments and thoughts. The project we are talking about was a book that started as my own idea. Having grown up on the prairies of Minnesota and North Dakota I realized many would not see the elevators and industrial materials of large farming in the same way that I do. I saw a collection of images of these, worked into a concept of fine art that would be unexpected. Over about three years I made trips to the west and south of the Twin Cities to aquire the images I felt would express my feelings. I tend to like the very recent structures which have a wonderful dynamic about them. Then I did PP using layers and very much hand brushing and doing my own watercolor washes to also enter into the fray. I work very simply with Paint shop Pro and very few plug ins. The book came later and was used by a private company. There are I think about 60 images, or there about. As to cameras I am not into latest and greatest, and I usually ran off with anything my hand fell upon, some of which many of our members would faint at the sight of. I also have made a slide show of these set to music. However I only rarely show these.

You asked of my thoughts as I shot the one you first thought, I felt, like you from the start the lines kind of belong, even though my moving around caused me to be nearly run over by a very large grain truck. Most of my thinking was near intuitive positioning and alway trying to remember what I could do in the computer.

I am adding two more images of the series for your pleasure (I hope) these are two of my favorites of the whole project.
Thanks RBorud

(Download)


(Download)

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Thank you so much for sharing these additional works. Creative and compelling, just wonderful! And also for the information. Greatly appreciated.

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

I really like your style and how you chose to show these images. As for the wires in the first image? Linda got it right on the nose when she correctly identifies the wires as part of the story here. Thank you for posting. These are all lovely.
Erich

Frank2013 Loc: San Antonio, TX. & Milwaukee, WI.

All above my pay grade, very artistic and well done.

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

I think this is pretty wonderful. Though I'm usually a Power Line Hater, in some cases they become an integral part of the composition as these did here, giving that slightly offset balance to the structure, and a set of lines to channel our eyes across and through the image. I love your processing here, this is the kind of image I'm trying to learn to make. The other two industrial images you added are equally impressive with their mix of detail and lack thereof, the textures and painterly treatment - beautifully done. Please keep sharing more of these.

rborud Loc: Minnesota

Linda
Minneve asked for another so here goes. In fact I don't know why I have not shown some of these before.
RBorud

(Download)

Frank2013 Loc: San Antonio, TX. & Milwaukee, WI.

Me either....amazing creativity, well presented RBorud.

Dave Chinn

RBorud, all of what you have posted are simply amazing. While I love all of them, it is rather hard for me to pick a favorite. The color and style is something I haven't seen much of. As far as the first one you posted, concerning the power lines. I'm not a big fan of them and usually remove them when I can or feel I should for improvement. However, for some strange odd reason the power lines fit very much so. It would be a discredit to the image with them removed. Looking forward to seeing more of your work as time progresses.
Dave

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

A bold combination of textures and colors. well done. Very dramatic.
erich

mallen1330 Loc: Chicago western suburbs

I enjoyed seeing all these images and want more. I would not change a thing in any. As architectural subjects they would be very appropriate to be posted in our Traditional Street and Architectural Photography forum...

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

This one is great too! You've figured out how to turn a run-of-the-mill industrial site into an object of art. We pass industrials all the time and seldom think of them as art objects. I am usually attracted enough by their geometry to stop and make shots, but have not thought of trying to use my textures and layers to render them into something new.

This is a very creative series. I'm glad to hear you've done a book, and I hope it works out well for you. If you are not yet pursuing a wider and wider audience for these, you should. When you find something that is both appealing and unique, you just have to chase it!

pfrancke Loc: cold Maine

I hate wires. And then I see yours... they make the image, without the sentinel would have been boring. Your images are AMAZING. What you have done with the mood, the colors, and the tones stirs the heart. These industrial images have strength and power through and through. They are gritty, but pure. You have robbed them of their dirt and grease and made them romantic and noble.

I feel honored to have been able to look at these.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Well whatever the reason, we're glad you're sharing now!