Bee on a Flower in Chadron, Nebraska, April 11, 2015

Bee on a flower in Chadron, Nebraska, April 2015. (Photo by Daniel Binkard)

This semi-close view of a fearsome pollinator includes plenty of fun, soft elements in the out-of-focus areas. The bee almost blends in at first glance, to become the anchor of the scene. You might have taken a photography class where the instructor says you should put the anchor at one of the intersecting lines that divide the frame into thirds. This kind of thinking is lazy teaching. Think in terms of balance. How does the anchoring element balance with the rest of the elements in the composition? Often, yes, the balance works at the intersecting thirds lines. But to call it the "rule" of thirds… Think of it as a guideline, and put the damn anchor where it works, not because somebody told you to put it "just so" off center.

Sunset at the Nebraska National Forest, March 28, 2015

 

Rabbit skull posed in the Nebraska National Forest, March 2015. (Photo by Daniel Binkard)

Sunset at the Nebraska National Forest, March 2015. (Photo by Daniel Binkard)

Clouds at the Nebraska National Forest, March 2015. (Photo by Daniel Binkard)

Sunset at the Nebraska National Forest, March 2015. (Photo by Daniel Binkard)

Sunset at the Nebraska National Forest, March 2015. (Photo by Daniel Binkard)

Rabbit Skull, March 28, 2015

Rabbit skull posed in the Nebraska National Forest, March 2015. (Photo by Daniel Binkard)

Staged photo of a rabbit skull with some flowers and warm evening light. I played with the placement so I could get a low angle that included the sky. The rabbit skull is a fascinating piece of engineering with distinctive latticework along the sides up front. I assume they cut down wind resistance and allow the rabbit to corner better while achieving maximum speed. I like the clouds in the background. They have an interesting linear character that contrasts with the rounder shapes in the foreground.

Details in the Nebraska National Forest, March 14, 2015

 

Seed pod closeup in the Nebraska National Forest, March 2015. (Photo by Daniel Binkard)

Grass and tree limbs in the Nebraska National Forest, March 2015. (Photo by Daniel Binkard)

Cliffside carcass in the Nebraska National Forest, March 2015. (Photo by Daniel Binkard)

Broken wood detail in the Nebraska National Forest, March 2015. (Photo by Daniel Binkard)

Plant Forms at Box Butte Reservoir, February 28, 2015

 

Foliage through the ice at Box Butte Reservoir, February 2015. (Photo by Daniel Binkard)

Fractal stems at Box Butte Reservoir, February 2015. (Photo by Daniel Binkard)

Foliage double exposure at Box Butte Reservoir, February 2015. (Photo by Daniel Binkard)

Faculty Art Show at Chadron State College

Work displayed at Chadron State College as part of the Spring 2015 faculty show, “Art Infinity.”

Closeup of a muskrat skull, January 2015. (Photo by Daniel Binkard)

Closeup of a cottontail skull, January 2015. (Photo by Daniel Binkard)

Closeup of a stoat skull, January 2015. (Photo by Daniel Binkard)

Closeup of a guillemot skull, January 2015. (Photo by Daniel Binkard)

Muskrat Skull, January 4, 2015

Closeup of a muskrat skull, January 2015. (Photo by Daniel Binkard)

Part of a project to photograph skulls with plenty of detail. This is a focus stack, multiple frames focused from the nearest to farthest parts of the subject and combined with compositing software. The result can contain plenty of detail. I examined the skull at various heights to find a suitable angle, and I'm pleased with the negative space around the cheek bones and eye sockets. I pushed the tones quite a bit to create strong contrast, and I like the various textures that are revealed. This is one of my favorites from the series.