My grandmother gave me a Brownie camera when I was eight
years old, then proudly showed my photographs of her flowers to her Garden
Society. The joy I felt as a young child while taking photographs for others to
enjoy remains today, and it is this passion that keeps me immersed in
photography.
My husband and I moved to Wisconsin in the mid-1970s and,
on impulse, I borrowed a Pentax K-1000 to take my first photography course. I
later attended the Madison Area Technical College and Edgewood University in Madison
where I took both art and photography classes.
In 2007, I received a digital camera as a gift and the door
to photography opened wider than ever. My world shifted as I saw the
possibilities that could be created using a camera and lenses — infinite possibilities
to document the natural world, architecture, history, seeing everything with a
new perspective.
"Even the smallest of details became intensely
interesting. Maybe that's why I love photography. I try to capture what I see,
my own interpretation, not what someone else might see."
I also became a contributor to WisconsinNative.com, writing
and photographing for both the Wandering Wisconsin and Travel Green
features on the travel website through December, 2008. My photography has also
been published in regional magazines, national travel guides, and in a book on
Functional Architecture which was published in London in 2009.
Though I shoot in many genres, I most love the experience
of photographing the natural world. Nature grounds me. I can be myself --
in the forest, the mountains, the desert, or the prairie -- in solitude with
nature.
My hobby is now a career, as I write and photograph as a
freelancer as the principal of Seeded Earth Studio, LLC.
iheartfilm - I love bluebirds. Can't wait till they come back.04/01/2009 - 2:03 pm
Bernie Kasper - I don't envy you on your winter Bo, ours was bad enough, I can only imagine what yours has been like !!
Great shot, I bet the b&w has been mimicking your mood lately, I shot a bunch of black and white this winter because of the mood it gave me !!04/01/2009 - 3:12 pm
Marcie - They do look like they're expecting company..or the return of their inhabitants. Wonderful 'spring' image.04/01/2009 - 4:50 pm
Debi - Ah, we have a bluebird corridor as well, awaiting occupancy. Good luck!04/01/2009 - 6:31 pm
montucky - Interesting houses: so different from what we see out here. Won't it be nice when they are occupied again!04/01/2009 - 8:10 pm
Anna Surface - Definitely the shot portrays waiting. Oh to see bluebirds and spring in full force without any more winter weather! :)04/02/2009 - 7:44 am
quinncreative - The REAL snowbirds are on the way!04/02/2009 - 9:54 pm
Gandalf - Once the occupants return you can do a Wizard of Oz touch and show us in color.04/03/2009 - 8:41 am
Preston Surface - The bluebird houses seem all alone on the country road. Who will be around to see the birds when they come to nest?04/05/2009 - 7:40 pm
Ring the bells that still can ring. Forget your perfect offering. There is a crack, a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in. –Leonard Cohen
I am working in my photography archives, inspired to begin a new project that celebrates the beauty in the old, the worn, the natural, the simple, the impermanent, the...
Anna Surface - Ah! Yes, I resonate and agree as there is "beauty in the old, the worn, the natural, the simple, the impermanent, the imperfect," as you said. Wabi Sabi... indeed.
Here is a quote from the book, 'Living Wabi Sabi-The True Beauty of Your Life' by Taro Gold: "Appreciation--emotional appreciation, artistic appreciation, appreciation on every level--is an important part of living Wabi Sabi. Appreciation manifests joy. We don't need to live by some impossible standard to have a joyful, contributive, "enlightened" existence. We don't need to become someone else or wait until things are "perfect" to appreciate the whole of our lives." This is a wonderful book on Wabi Sabi, I might add.
Lovely photo, and great idea for a theme, Bo. :)02/17/2009 - 8:26 am
Gandalf - Wonderful photo. I love the symmetry and the texture.02/17/2009 - 8:36 am
bookbabie - "...that celebrates the beauty in the old, the worn, the natural, the simple, the impermanent, the imperfect." Just like me;)02/17/2009 - 9:04 am
Joanna Young - This sounds wonderful Bo, I can't wait to see the rest of the photos.
I think I need to apply this principle to my exploration of memoir writing - starting with an acceptance of the (many) imperfections of my life...02/17/2009 - 3:15 pm
Robin - Wonderful image, Bo.
I'm looking forward to seeing how you explore wabi-sabi in photos. I read about wabi-sabi a couple of years ago, and have been fascinated by the concept ever since.02/17/2009 - 5:19 pm
montucky - I love that one, Bo and am looking forward to more in the series!02/17/2009 - 5:40 pm
mon@rch - Nice and for some reason rust is such a great natural color!02/17/2009 - 7:54 pm
Marcie - So interesting to read about wabi-sabi. Finding and accepting beauty in the everyday ordinary is what it's all about for me. Love the image. Am looking forward to seeing this project unfold.02/18/2009 - 6:53 am
quinncreative - As a deep practitioner of wabi-sabi ways, I'm so pleased to see this series. It's comforting and beautiful, and fills the eye with great appreciation.02/19/2009 - 6:39 pm
Bo - That is a lovely compliment, Quinn. Thank you.02/19/2009 - 10:03 pm
Bo - Anna, thanks for adding the quote. I'll have to check out the book.02/19/2009 - 10:05 pm
Bo - It seems a worthwhile concept to apply to writing, art, life. Thanks, Joanna.02/19/2009 - 10:06 pm
suehenryphotography - Simply lovely capture. I can feel the wind and smell the freshness. Love the way the flower heads are placed in the image.02/13/2009 - 6:23 am
Gandalf - Looks like summer on my computer, but more like yucky March when i look out my window.
Nice shot.02/13/2009 - 8:00 am
I’ve been working on my photography portfolio and wading through thousands (yes, thousands) of images, deleting most and working on a few. This is one of the photos that caught my eye, I think because the leaves of the plant seem almost like a shadow.
It’s nice to be going through summer photos right now. I...
Marcie - Absolutely stunning - both the color and the shallow dof. What are you going to do with your portfolio once you have it all together??02/11/2009 - 11:20 am
Grace - Beautiful, Bo! :) It's like something out of a dream, and I love the way the Blossom is the main focus....02/11/2009 - 1:54 pm
Gandalf - captivating02/11/2009 - 4:07 pm
quinncreative - I love the focus and shadow on this. Just lovely.02/11/2009 - 5:57 pm
HeyJules - That's gorgeous, Bo. Beautiful colors and great DOF. I love it!02/11/2009 - 6:16 pm
montucky - Wonderful photo, Bo! I'm also dreaming of the emergence of the wildflowers.02/11/2009 - 8:21 pm
Anna Surface - I miss clover and wildflowers. Very nice capture, and I really like the color! :)02/12/2009 - 7:12 am
mon@rch - I love reminders of Summer!02/12/2009 - 7:40 pm
Happy Ground Hog’s Day, wherever you may be, and whatever your forecast. We all know winter will last as long as winter lasts, no matter what the groundhog does, but it adds a bit of fun in the middle of a long winter. Might as well enjoy winter now, now that the temps are at...
montucky - Cute photo! I'm looking forward to the six week time-frame, too (I say as I watch a snow plow go by on the road in a snow storm). Just a few days ago I saw the first pussy willows emerge though, at least a month early for here.02/02/2009 - 9:42 am
suehenryphotography - Spectacular capture! How neat. I've only seen one ground hog EVER....and got so excited I didn't know what to do!02/02/2009 - 1:44 pm
Robin - I wondered why your groundhog was so cute. It might be Ohio, but we have some of the ugliest looking groundhogs I've ever seen. Our groundhogs are not accurate at all. Punxatawney Phil is not too far from us, but I don't trust his forecast either. As you say, winter will last as long as winter lasts.
Great shot. I'm looking forward to spring, too. :)02/02/2009 - 3:55 pm
organicsyes - Love it ! something so interesting about a rodent...how were you able to capture him?02/02/2009 - 4:52 pm
Gandalf - Cute picture. Perhaps prairie dogs do better than groung hogs. :)
I'd settle for the guarantee of only 6 more weeks of winter.02/02/2009 - 5:53 pm
ybonesy - I for one think the prairie dog should unseat the groundhog for determining whether winter continues or not. 8)
Hey, how did you capture this little guy? They move so fast!!02/02/2009 - 8:53 pm
Marcie - Winter will be what it'll be. At this time of year - we're all hoping for some signs of spring. Your image of this prairie dog is far sweeter than any groudhog might be.02/03/2009 - 6:45 am
Anna Surface - How very cute! I happen to like prairie dogs. How in the world did you get a photo of it? :)02/03/2009 - 10:28 am
Laurie - It has been a long harsh winter...but it won't last forever.
Cute Groundhog. I did not see the one that lives under our shed lately...so I am thinking he went to Florida!!!02/03/2009 - 1:52 pm
Preston Surface - Nice substitution. Enjoyed the picture, brought a smile it did. There was another groundhog, one not so well known, claimed spring is right around the corner.02/03/2009 - 9:25 pm
amuirin - We have been so spoiled, here on the Oregon Coast. Yesterday felt like Spring, it was beautiful, sunny warm. It's hard to believe much of the country is covered with snow and ice.
We'll get ours later, with the rain and the windy summer, but I was honestly ready to plant. C'mon spring.
He's a very nice sort of prairie dog. A little more chipper than Phil.02/05/2009 - 12:01 pm
colblue - He is a cute little fella! :)02/05/2009 - 9:09 pm
This year the Winter Solstice is on Sunday, December 21st. This day has the distinction of being the shortest day of the year and also the longest night of the year. In Wisconsin, once we pass the 21st, we have the pleasure of seeing each day get a bit longer as each night grows a...
suehenryphotography - I know I'm in the minority, but I would love to have a good snow around here so I would have some beautiful photo opportunities. Beautiful capture.12/20/2008 - 9:23 am
Anna Surface - Oh, how very beautiful! I haven't been out to capture any snow scenes yet even though we have good snow cover and along with it, bitter cold. Yes, I'm all for the gaining of more daylight after the 21st. Solstice, a time of rejuvenation. Enjoyed the Dr. Seuss quote. :)12/20/2008 - 9:47 am
Debi - I, too, wish for some snow as we rarely get snow where I live. Love the quote!12/20/2008 - 10:43 am
montucky - Gorgeous shot! I'm also looking forward to longer days!12/20/2008 - 3:05 pm
Joanna Young - A wonderful photo and lines. I'm looking forward to the days starting to lengthen again here too.12/20/2008 - 4:25 pm
Marcie - Beautiful winter image. Pretty much what things look like around here. Happy solstice! Love the thought that the days are - from here on in - getting longer.12/21/2008 - 4:27 am
Richard Lovison - Beautiful image Bo. Happy winter solstice!12/21/2008 - 5:29 am
Rosemary - Beautiful winter picture12/21/2008 - 10:59 am
Aiyana - Great image and verse. Happy holidays,
Aiyana12/21/2008 - 12:23 pm
Gandalf - Ski season is here. My skis are tuned. Now all I need is some time to get out on the slopes.12/22/2008 - 7:38 am
visuallens - A very nice series of Wisconsin Alphabet photos and they all are beautiful and fantastic. You are always my favourite.12/18/2008 - 7:21 am
Marcie - Such a wonderful contrast between the summer sunflowers and the winter polar bear.
Great job..and a wonderful round of applause!!!!12/18/2008 - 10:16 am
bookbabie - I think the last two are my favorites, Happy Holidays!12/18/2008 - 12:56 pm
Gandalf - The polar bear is great. How did you get that shot? I guess this is an example of always having your camera ready because you don't know when a great shot will be there. The alphabet was a great idea and nicely done. Are your going to try it with the Chinese alphabet next? :)
Happy Holidays to you, too.12/18/2008 - 1:47 pm
lady.percy - :-] Very cute! Reminds me of Dr. Seuss!12/18/2008 - 3:22 pm
Laurie - Wow! Love the polar bear! Just beautiful. How and where did you manage that shot?12/18/2008 - 3:58 pm
Robin - The very best to you and yours, too, Bo. Happy Holidays. :)
This was very well done. I admire your creativity.12/18/2008 - 4:39 pm
Amelia - This is so cool. I love the way the letters go from page to page. The polar bear is soooooooo cute.12/18/2008 - 4:46 pm
montucky - That was a great and enjoyable series, Bo! Happy Holidays!12/18/2008 - 7:03 pm
ceanothe - Soleil et neige, belle rencontre !
Sun and snow, beautiful encounters12/19/2008 - 1:47 am
Debi - You've earned a Gold Star for your efforts! Bravo! Happy Holidays to you and yours, Bo!12/19/2008 - 4:15 pm
Grace - You are so talented! Not only a "Vision"smith, but a wordsmith as well!
Happy holidays to you and yours, Bo! Stay warm!12/19/2008 - 5:38 pm
ybonesy - You are indeed talented, Bo. How in the world did you capture such a close-up of the polar bear?
This was great. I thoroughly enjoyed it.12/19/2008 - 11:41 pm
Marcie - Almost there. Love the windvane image. Am looking forward to the final installment. :-)12/17/2008 - 3:16 am
Gandalf - Clever use of the mayapple.12/17/2008 - 8:11 am
montucky - I love the May apples! Wish we had a larger alphabet!12/17/2008 - 10:08 am
Bo - Actually, Montucky, I'm kind of glad we only have 26 letters. I don't think I could have gone on much longer. And it's a good thing I had a stockpile of 10,000 photos from 2008, or I would never have been able to do it.
It was a great creative activity though. The rhyme was rather fun to do, but putting it together took a lot of time.12/17/2008 - 2:08 pm
organicsyes - ohhhh....clever you! Love this theme:)12/17/2008 - 3:34 pm
Anna Surface - LOL Very nice! I love the eXercise bike with a view. :)12/17/2008 - 4:36 pm
quinncreative - These are just a perfect combination of clever, delightful, interesting and fun. The contrast of pictures is wonderful, too. And so are the words, which boost the pictures. Yep, tasty joy for sure!12/17/2008 - 5:38 pm
ybonesy - The weiner is such a winner (weiner) and the exercycle---what in the world? Did you just stumble upon that one? What a great use for an old, out-of-date gadget.12/17/2008 - 11:49 pm
organicsyes - When can I get a copy of your A-Z book??? I just had an epiphany!!! These are lovely rhymes and as I read, I pictured the Edward Gorey book! I fell into the rhythm of the rhymes and found my mind wandering to darker images...
You are amazing!12/19/2008 - 7:27 am
Debi - I love the way you see your world, Bo. This is so great!12/19/2008 - 4:14 pm
Marcie - Even more amazing is that you have amassed a perfect collection of images to match your alphabet rhyme!!!!12/15/2008 - 3:16 am
Debi - Bo! This is such a fun, creative series of photos and posts - we're all enjoying it!12/15/2008 - 8:06 am
Anna Surface - That mailbox photo is my favorite. I have a thing for smacked country mailboxes. :) I can't to see what Q through T will be.12/15/2008 - 9:33 am
HeyJules - I love this alphabet, Bo! What fun to follow along and see what comes up next!12/15/2008 - 12:34 pm
Gandalf - very creative, very interesting.
I'm partial to the pots in this set.12/15/2008 - 3:25 pm
Robin - Fantastic series! Very creative. I enjoyed the photos and the poetry.
Well done, Bo! :)12/15/2008 - 4:20 pm
montucky - After all the white I've seen today, it's wonderful to see those orchids, Bo!12/15/2008 - 9:28 pm
by Bo
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