Cottonwood Tree in Chadron, Nebraska

 

Trail toward a cottonwood, Chadron, Nebraska, October 2003. (Photo by Daniel Binkard)

Farm Ruins, Dixon County, July 22, 2003

Farm ruins in Dixon County, Nebraska, July 2003. (Photo by Daniel Binkard)

I was invited to photograph an old farm, and spent a couple days photographing in and out of the buildings. There was plenty of variety in the levels of decay throughout. This scene shows some interior and exterior, with wonderful diffused light. I was shooting on C-41 monochrome film, so focused only on texture and tonality. I like the organic shapes of the strings contrasting with the straight lines of the wooden structure.

Pipeline Anchor at Ponca State Park, January 6, 2003

A long-gone relic at Ponca State Park, January 2003. (Photo by Daniel Binkard)

A long-gone relic from the quarter-mile circle at Ponca State Park. The pipeline crossed the river into South Dakota, with an A anchor on the Nebraska hill, and an inverted Y anchor on the lower South Dakota shore. This particular composition was only possible without a tall support for a short time. When I tried to recreate it even a few years later, the cliffside had eroded too much to get the same vantage point. This is a study in linear counterpoints. My original treatment was in color, showcasing the strong orange-on-white colors of the A. I later decided to reduce it to black and white. This helps draw the eye to the textures in the fence post. This photo was also the basis for a stained glass piece, which was a fun project in reducing what is already a simple geometric arrangement even further.

View from the Skywalk, October 20, 2002

Corner of Douglas and 5th Streets, the First National Bank columns, toward the main branch of the Sioux City Public Library in Sioux City, Iowa, October 2002. (Photo by Daniel Binkard)

It was a cool October morning when we journeyed across the state line in search of adventure. I always liked visiting the Sioux City library, with its airy rotunda with hanging kinetic sculpture. The library and the buildings around it seemed a lot more massive when I was six, and this slice of Sioux City shows the true scale of the block. As is normal for most of my October photos, there is some fall color. I like how it's small scale fall color, just like the surrounding small urban skyline.

Mulberry Bend Scenic Overlook

 

North view from Mulberry Bend Scenic Overlook toward South Dakota and the Missouri River, near Newcastle, Nebraska, April 2002. (Photo by Daniel Binkard)

Clearing the Roof, Ponca, Nebraska, February 1, 2002

Dave watches a pile of snow fall at the house near Ponca, Nebraska, February 2002. (Photo by Daniel Binkard)

There was a big drift of snow peering over the edge of the roof, and who could resist clearing it off? Dave took the shovel and gently tapped the underside, causing the bulk of the overhanging snow to come crashing down. This is a precursor to my girl jumping off a column photo from 2006. My favorite part is the dog preparing to dive away from the snow (he was out of the line of fire, fortunately).

Sunset with Contrails, Ponca, Nebraska, January 23, 2002

Contrails and clouds near Ponca, Nebraska, January 2002. (Photo by Daniel Binkard)

Winter sunsets have a magical quality. I think the cold makes them more special. You certainly have to work more efficiently, especially if you notice the sunset and run outside without a coat to take the photo. I'm pleased with the range of colors and textures in the sky, and the contrails provide a geometric component to counterbalance the variety of organic shapes.