Purple Coneflowers – Different Isn't Wrong, It's Just Different

Looking back at the images I have made the last several years has been quite the wake up call. Very little time has been spent with me behind my camera, which I knew. What I didn’t realize until going through my Lightroom catalog, was how few images had been made. You know the saying “take a hard look in the mirror”? I did. And I didn’t like the reflection.

What happened to my photography? Stress. The level of stress in my life the last several years has been high and negatively affected my photography and well, life in general. It made me a person I didn’t like. Recently, that stress has been taken out of my life and my goal is to get back on track with the person I once was. Happy.

My images have been forced the last 4 or 5 years. Looking at the images, yes they are technically correct, but artistically, I find them trite. My vision behind the camera is not what it once was. How many years has my photography regressed? How long will it take to get that vision back? And can I get it back?

Over and over in photography workshops you will be told to photograph every day. Every day? There have been several months at a time that my camera bag just sat and collected dust! Do I need to start all over practicing basic photography skills? Or will it all come flooding back once I get out in the field again?

Here is a gallery of images that I selected to share while still waiting for that pink card to arrive from the Iowa State Fair. And thinking about my reflection after taking a hard look in the mirror.

My boots have been calling my name to hit the trail. Yesterday I made time and headed to the restored prairie at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum in West Branch, Iowa. I have wanted to photograph the wildflowers at last light on the prairie since moving to Iowa, and it was time I did so.

In Arizona I mostly shot macro photography, but since moving to Iowa, I shoot more landscape images. I attached my 105mm macro lens thinking how beautiful the wildflowers would be at last light and the images that could be made. But once on the trail, it was the landscape that caught my attention, both wide and intimate images. I could have changed lenses to a wider lens, but I kept thinking, what if I see something and I want a macro image. Besides, I have used my macro lens as a telephoto lens many times. Using a fixed focal length makes me work harder and challenges me, especially at 105mm.

I felt perfectly safe shooting by myself, something I have struggled with since moving to Iowa. Strange that I felt safer in the wild west of Arizona, but I did. And the insecurity has kept me from exploring. But yesterday, Madison was with me and even though she is only 10 lbs. and absolutely adorable, watch out! She can be quite feisty and the two teenage boys that were out for a run through the prairie found out they should not get too close! This was the first time we had gone out on a shoot together. Molly used to go with me frequently in Arizona and learned to be patient when I was shooting. Madison was so intrigued with being someplace new she wasn’t interested in staying in one spot for very long.

Queen Anne’s Lace at last light on the prairie

When I left my house there were numerous white puffy clouds in the sky and I was looking forward to a colorful sunset with clouds, However, mother nature did not cooperate and the clouds drifted away. Still, sunset was quite colorful, the sun was red, casting an incredibly beautiful light on the prairie. Quickly I grabbed my iPhone 6s to make some wide images of the last light on the prairie.

The last hour of light, during the golden hour, was so beautiful. So many wildflowers, beautiful light and amazing cool temperature and little humidity for a late July evening. I was sorry that I hadn’t made time to come here on multiple occasions to photograph the prairie. This is a place I could shoot for days and not be bored. Not only are there thousands of wildflowers, but there are tall grasses too. I’m guessing during the day there are many butterflies and bees feasting on all the pollen. Hard to believe July is over and before we know it, fall will be here. Until then, I hope to enjoy the prairie at least one more time.

For now, here are some images of the last light on the prairie in the gallery below and as always, you may click on any image to see a larger version.