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Seeded Earth Studio bio picture

Bio






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.

 

Bo Mackison

Seeded Earth Studio LLC

Madison, Wisconsin

Category Archives: wabi-sabi

Green Places

03*08*2010 Posted in Olympus E-3 ** Wisconsin ** garden ** nature ** photography ** wabi-sabi

The sun is shining, the snow is melting. I always think of mid-March as the teaser. Sunny days, almost touching the 50˚F mark. The a dip back into the teens or 20s and frosty again. There are bits of my yard where there are peeks of grass, though much of the yard is under 6...

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by Bo Mackison

5 comments

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Rosie leaves 'n blooms - Hello there and welcome to Blotanical - I hope you enjoy meeting new gardeners over there - normally I post on blogs and send a message through Blotanical but this week I don't have alot of free time. Pop over to my scottish garden blog sometime. I too am yearning for those spring days - they can't come soon enough03/08/2010 - 2:44 pm

Montucky - Love the green! Here now there are tiny green things emerging from the ground. So welcome!03/08/2010 - 7:45 pm

Marcie - Yes...we're being teased by spring as well. Love the repetition of pattern here. Almost abstract..but not quite.03/09/2010 - 4:24 am

Gandalf - great visual pattern, and alas Spring will come and ski season will be done dancing. :(03/09/2010 - 7:34 am

Molly - Springtime! Gotta love it. This is a simple but very pleasing shot. :)03/09/2010 - 10:43 am

Fuzzy Ficus

02*28*2010 Posted in Madison ** Olympus E-3 ** Wisconsin ** garden ** macro ** nature ** photography ** wabi-sabi

A first glance, it appears that these ficus leaves have encountered a cold weather frost. Not so. This ficus plant grows in the Bolz Conservatory, the glass greenhouse that keeps the tropics alive in a tiny part of wintry Madison. And the white is the fuzziness of its new growth.

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by Bo Mackison

5 comments

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Montucky - That's really pretty! Looks like a furry winter jacket on the leaves.02/28/2010 - 4:08 pm

Marcie - Exquisite detail. That white fuzzy stuff looks so soft...03/01/2010 - 6:18 am

Gandalf - Reminds me of Fuzzy Wuzzy03/01/2010 - 8:04 am

Molly - The detail is incredible in this.03/01/2010 - 1:19 pm

Debi - AH, man...I'm ready to see some new green growth, fuzzy or not! This is choice - thanks for the treat!03/03/2010 - 2:32 pm

Announcing the Memoir Space

02*22*2010 Posted in Memoir Project ** Olympus E-P1 ** Southwest ** photography ** poetry ** travel ** wabi-sabi

I am excited to announce that I’ve just launched a new monthly feature called Memoir Space. It is published at The Calm Space, an online magazine which, according to founder and editor Karen Wallace, “is an online magazine published weekly with a monthly theme – written by a team of amazing, real-life women who are...

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by Bo Mackison

7 comments

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Molly - Love that blue color, it's gorgeous!02/22/2010 - 3:41 pm

Anna Surface - Memoir Space sounds wonderful! That is something I might like to do but for now my time is limited. I'd love to pick up writing again and what a great way to do so. Love those deep blue containers. By the way, we've moved to our own website and have a new photoblog. Thanks for answering my questions after you opened here. :)02/22/2010 - 4:08 pm

Bo Mackison - Thanks Anna. It does sound like a big commitment, doesnt it? Just so you know, a lot of these projects can be done in 15-30 minutes, once a month, no special skills or equipment - except maybe a computer and some sort of camera. The neat part about the project is that, with a little time, it will accumulate over the months. When the time is right for you, it will happen!02/22/2010 - 4:22 pm

Gandalf - I love the blue pots and cast shadows.02/23/2010 - 7:23 am

Sue - Congratulations on being part of the team at The Calm Space! Now I see just why you made such a lovely self-portrait! :) I'm afraid that I nearly forgot to comment here on Seeded Earth because I spent so much time at The Calm Space. I have subscribed to The Calm Space newsletter and will certainly try to follow your work there as well as here, my talented friend!!!02/23/2010 - 11:51 am

QuinnCreative - What a great shot to announce your memoir space. All those pots of memory to fill. It's a deep and wonderful photograph.02/27/2010 - 11:02 am

Bo Mackison - Quinn, I think you are the only one who noticed the metaphorical aspect to the photo. Yes, filling all those pots with memories--what a collection one could have!02/27/2010 - 11:38 am

Chain and Links

02*01*2010 Posted in Olympus E-P1 ** Wisconsin ** macro ** photography ** quotations ** wabi-sabi ** winter

A soul mate is someone who has locks that fit our keys, and keys to fit our locks. ~Richard Bach

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by Bo Mackison

6 comments

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Montucky - There's a lot of history symbolized there!02/01/2010 - 5:42 pm

Debi - BO! I'm unable to "follow" you for some reason and have to remember to check in here daily. That's tough when I leave for spells so forgive me!!!! I'll get around to commenting on everything soon but please know how much I love visiting, love your photography and am astounded by the simple details of photos such as this very one! Love it!!!!!02/01/2010 - 8:08 pm

Marcie - Wonderful detail..and I love your accompanying quote. Perfect!!02/02/2010 - 7:13 am

Yvonne - Great image, the lighting was selected well to bring out the texture in the wood! Nicely done.02/02/2010 - 7:47 am

Gandalf - What great visual texture. I love this photo.02/02/2010 - 9:07 am

Molly - I love how clearly defind the shadow in this one, pretty awesome. Enjoyed the quote too. :)02/02/2010 - 10:05 am

Yearning for Spring

01*30*2010 Posted in Madison ** Olympus E-P1 ** Wisconsin ** garden ** macro ** nature ** photography ** wabi-sabi

I’m experimenting with the Lensbaby Composer, a sweet little lens on a ball and socket that allows me to swivel the lens and focus on a focal point – or not! I find that using what some photographers refer to as a “play lens” frees me from the rules and lets me take photographs that...

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by Bo Mackison

7 comments

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Sue - I simply HAVE to get a Lensbaby. I keep talking about it, but I think it's time to do it! Love the effect you achieved in this one.01/30/2010 - 4:22 pm

Robin - This is really beautiful, Bo. I'm yearning for spring as well. I've had enough of this bitter cold.01/30/2010 - 4:56 pm

Gandalf - Well as to Spring the Ground Hog has his say on Tuesday. The abstract feel of your lensbaby is pretty cool.01/30/2010 - 5:38 pm

Montucky - I like the image and color, Bo. For some reason it immediately made me think of pictographs, perhaps Egyptian.01/30/2010 - 7:56 pm

Marcie - Such beautiful greens. Have been wanting to play with a lensbaby myself. What unusual and wonderful 'spring' effects!!!01/31/2010 - 1:13 pm

Molly - Very springtime! Like this one. :)02/02/2010 - 10:01 am

Tweets that mention Yearning for Spring » Seeded Earth Studio -- Topsy.com - [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Bo Mackison, D Murphy-Rodgers. D Murphy-Rodgers said: Yearning for spring: beautiful experiment with green and macro on Lensbaby Composer by @bo_mackison http://bit.ly/aIq6bs :o) [...]02/01/2010 - 6:49 am

The Blue of the Moon

01*25*2010 Posted in Olympus E-P1 ** Wisconsin ** nature ** photography ** quotations ** wabi-sabi ** winter

The hermit doesn’t sleep at night, in love with the blue of the vacant moon. The cool of the breeze that rustles the trees rustles him too. ~ Ching-An

I wonder if the hermit had insomnia. I spend too much of the night listening to the rustling trees. And I love the blue of the moon,...

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by Bo Mackison

9 comments

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Molly - This shot is amazing! That color is simply spectacular, it would be quite a sight to see.01/25/2010 - 1:38 am

Tom Whelan - Excellent image - the composition is really good, the moon is in a great spot in the frame, the vignetting looks good as well.01/25/2010 - 7:56 pm

Montucky - That's beautiful, Bo!01/25/2010 - 8:23 pm

bernie kasper - What a beautiful shot Bo, I love the mood you set with this !! Nicely done !!01/25/2010 - 9:09 pm

ybonesy - Oh my, I'll have to make sure the moon girl (QM) sees this. She'll love it. It is an amazing shot.01/26/2010 - 9:26 am

Marcie - Stunning simplicity...and simply stunning!!!01/26/2010 - 1:38 pm

Gandalf - Wonderful composition and a beautiful, peaceful photo.01/26/2010 - 3:55 pm

Anna - That is out-of-this-world gorgeous! Wow! Excellent in everything and I love the blue!02/02/2010 - 6:17 pm

Tweets that mention The Blue of the Moon » Seeded Earth Studio -- Topsy.com - [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Dominique King. Bo Mackison said: "The hermit doesn’t sleep at night, in love with the blue of the vacant moon..." #photo #bluemoon. Posted on photoblog. http://bit.ly/8yOJtn [...]01/26/2010 - 8:38 am

Crystal Ice Prisms

01*24*2010 Posted in Madison ** Olympus E-P1 ** Wisconsin ** macro ** nature ** photography ** quotations ** wabi-sabi ** winter

I discovered Ken Libbrecht’s book called Field Guide to Snowflakes, a book, yes, all about snow. There is much going on in this frozen world that we are mostly unaware of, and it’s darn fascinating stuff! The book has photos of snowflakes produced under all sorts of weather conditions, including different temperatures and amounts of...

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by Bo Mackison

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Dominique - With rain and what little snow we had rapidly thawing here, I'm really enjoying this bit of virtual snow today :)01/24/2010 - 12:31 pm

Anna Surface - I never thought to use black paper or cloth to catch a snowflake. That would be tricky to do so and quickly photograph it with a macro lens... yet a neat challenge! Beautiful photo and interesting post.01/24/2010 - 2:48 pm

Sue - I worry that I've moved just enough south to not have the opportunity to photograph snow. A year or so ago I tried to photograph snow flakes and subsequently read a few articles about the technique for doing so. Snow is truly a fascinating subject. I love your ice prisms. Nice subject and interesting reading in today's post!01/24/2010 - 4:01 pm

--Deb - I actually have a oopy of Bentley's book--page after page of photos of snowflakes (though not so pretty as Libbrich's book looks). It's astounding and, really, no two are the same! (I love when cliches are actually true.)01/24/2010 - 5:02 pm

Montucky - Fascinating stuff, Bo, and those ice prisms are magical.01/24/2010 - 9:52 pm

Molly - So pretty and precise!01/25/2010 - 1:37 am

bernie kasper - Beautiful image Bo..Don't know if I would ever have the patience to photograph snowflakes though ;)01/25/2010 - 9:11 pm

Gandalf - It's a good thing those are ice/snow & not thorns. They would be beauty with a bite otherwise.01/26/2010 - 3:35 pm

Susan - Thanks for the book idea! I just adore the snow and snowflakes. Delicate shot you have taken here...fragile, yet powerful01/29/2010 - 6:20 am

Moth Orchids

01*23*2010 Posted in Olympus E-P1 ** Wisconsin ** garden ** macro ** nature ** photography ** wabi-sabi

Another visit to my stash of photographs from the Olbrich Botanical Garden. There’s something about this row of orchid flowers that makes me feel like I’m in a flurry of purple moths.

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by Bo Mackison

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Molly - Simply beautiful, the purple makes it even lovelier.01/23/2010 - 6:44 pm

Montucky - Very pretty, and I can relate to the feeling. Those do look like beautiful wings.01/23/2010 - 8:51 pm

Marcie - Such simple and exquisite beauty and detail!!!01/24/2010 - 10:18 am

Sue - Absolutely delightful!01/24/2010 - 4:03 pm

Heart and Soul

01*20*2010 Posted in Olympus E-P1 ** Wisconsin ** macro ** photography ** quotations ** wabi-sabi

It’s a lot easier to be lost than found.  It’s the reason we’re always searching, and rarely discovered — so many locks, not enough keys. ~ from Lock and Key by Sarah Dressen

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by Bo Mackison

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Richard - Hmmm, maybe it's easier as it doesn't require any effort to be lost. "Locks" may be the result of a state of mind. Beautiful image. :) Richard01/21/2010 - 7:07 am

Gandalf - I'm not sure why, but this image just grabbed me eye as soon as I opened your blog today. The texture, the image and the imagry all just capture my attention.01/21/2010 - 8:07 am

Molly - That's so incredible! I had been writing a story a while ago titled The Keyhole( complicated plot or I would get into it), and I envisioned something JUST like this in context with the story. Oh, I simply love this picture. Just my style. Like some said previously - the texture and color are great. For me, it seriously has the gears in my head to start turning and the creative juices start flowing. Where does it go? Where is the key? What's the purpose?... So brilliant. ( That was more than three words, wasn't it? Hehe.)01/21/2010 - 10:41 am

SHAZnyc - Very well composed. I like the way you placed the subject off to the right and towards the top.01/21/2010 - 11:43 am

ankush vimawala - nice!01/21/2010 - 3:09 pm

Montucky - And should you have the key, what memories would be unlocked!01/21/2010 - 4:46 pm

Sue - Simple, but so much to ponder.01/22/2010 - 4:39 am

Marcie - Exquisite detail...and I suppose the best part of getting lost..is being found!!!01/22/2010 - 7:08 am

Anna - Very nice capture of the rusted lock on wood. The quote intriguing to ponder. Always a mystery of the theme of lock and key in so many tales to tell.01/22/2010 - 9:18 am

Debi - Beautifully composed with a fascinating quote and concept, Bo. The "underlines" beneath - cracks in the wood - seem to underline the very point of this artistic piece, this post. Simple and wonderful.01/22/2010 - 11:58 am

Tree Walkers

01*19*2010 Posted in Olympus E-P1 ** Wisconsin ** nature ** photography ** poetry ** quotations ** wabi-sabi ** winter

Oh to be free of myself,
With nothing left to remember,
To have my heart as bare
As a tree in December;
Resting, as a tree rests
After its leaves are gone,
Waiting no more for a rain at night
Nor for the red at dawn;

~~Sara Teasdale, from “The Tree”

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by Bo Mackison

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Molly - Reminds me of a Claude Monet painting...01/19/2010 - 7:16 pm

Marcie - Stunning impressionist painting. Beautiful!!!01/20/2010 - 7:23 am

Sue - Nicely composed. Reflections are a favorite subject of mine. This one is especially nice.01/20/2010 - 7:52 am

Gandalf - I agree with the other comments - very impressionistic and nicely composed.01/20/2010 - 8:08 am

Ed Vatza - Uh, Bo, its upside down! ;-) Beautiful reflection image. I absolutely love it! Great work.01/20/2010 - 6:44 pm

ankush vimawala - beautiful reflection, and composition!01/21/2010 - 3:09 pm

Debi - Peaceful, and perfect.01/22/2010 - 11:55 am