Cloudscape, near Remsen, Iowa
Many landscape photographers would probably not unpack their cameras in most parts of northwest Iowa. Flat land predominates and intensive agriculture use over more than a century has turned, what probably was once beautiful tall-grass prairie, into habitats with very little biological diversity. A trend we can see all over the world, including my home country Germany. Oh no, I’m not saying the area doesn’t have any charm, but you have to open your eyes, look into details, and most importantly watch how the weather develops to see the potential for a landscape photo.
We have been out west in Iowa’s Plymouth County this week for a family reunion (thank you Don & Shelly for hosting!). Shortly after our arrival at the farm I was intrigued by the clouds crossing the land and rushed down to the gravel road below in order to keep the utility wires out of the frame. I have photographed the place around this farm since many years and can see the changes. This is my first mage with wind turbines in the frame. They create an income for some farms that accepted them on their property, but I also learned that not everybody is happy with the noise…
Alright, let’s talk about the photography. I admit I didn’t have a black & white image in mind when I made the click. There were enough colors and color contrast I thought that would express my feelings. But back home at the computer I recognized the much better storytelling of this photo in black & white. It’s not an image with a lot of leading lines, it’s more about the eye wandering through the image. The highlights of the blooming grasses in the foreground lead to the light in the vegetation in front of this small river bank. But the eye finally goes to the clouds in the sky and after a second we can recognize the wind turbines even in the background.