Here’s a recent photo from a project I’m working on. Nachusa Grasslands in Illinois is restoring a cornfield back to its original state of prairie and wetlands. Over the next few years, I will be documenting the progress of the Dewitt Holland Memorial Prairie. This photo was made during the last corn harvest this piece of land will ever see.

What do I like about this photo?

I really like the lighting in this photo. There was a thin layer of overcast above and behind me giving a nice even illumination and softening the shadows. As you can see back on the horizon, a rainstorm was coming in adding a little drama to the photo. In fact, the rains hit before I got out of there resulting in a mad dash for the car. Lastly, the composition is classic Rule of Thirds. The memorial rock is at the lower left intersection and the combine is in the upper right coming into the photo. At the top, the horizon sits on the upper third line.

What don’t I like about this photo?

Although the photo tells a story, the one thing it’s missing is action or the suggestion of motion. For all anyone knows, the combine is parked in the cornfield. The closest hind to action is the driver sitting in the cab which suggests he’s driving it. I would have liked to catch the combine taking in the corn close to the rock. Unfortunately, by the time I got the call and drove an hour to get there, I missed those rows.