Hello there, and welcome to the Midwestern Wanderlog!
If you’ve arrived here from Midwestern Wanderer, then you know that my introduction to photography was initially a supplement to collecting and relating stories stories from the Midwest. It’s grown into a great deal more than a supplement, and even a hobby! Truly, how better to record the contents of memory as they happen? And how better to have them in a form that you can put in a book and page through, recalling the events themselves and how you felt as you experienced them?
This site is about exactly that: Collecting and recording memories; learning how to take good photos with whatever equipment you have to hand; developing a style and discovering ways to help the photography habit pay for itself.
So, a little bit about the organization here! Down below is a listing of the most recent articles, sorted into the categories called out by the headers. Up above, “The Basics” has (or will have) articles about creating a good exposure – aperture, shutter speed, ISO – and also posts you might be interested in if you’re thinking about taking up photography yourself, like choosing a camera or discovering what kind of a photographer you are. “Projects!” covers ongoing activities – like 366 Sunrises, or Capturing the Northern Lights.
Read on, have fun, and feel free to share your own experiences and ideas!
The basics | Ongoing projects | Supporting your habit |
![]() 2016-03-10 – The importance of scheduling"If you don't have it in writing, then it isn't real. And if it isn't real, then it isn't going ... Read More ![]() 2016-03-06 – Above freezing? Wind chill isn’t a factor… is it?Exciting day today! Crawling out of bed and checking the weather in Red Wing, it was already above freezing and ... Read More ![]() 2016-02-28 – Cause and effectWhen it comes down to it, the tripod is a simple and effective piece of technology. Self-stabilizing with its three ... Read More ![]() 2016-02-14 – Filtering the clouds6:21 and up the stairs we go. Been doing this now for a month and a half - who would ... Read More ![]() 2016-02-05 – SacrificeIt's an uncomfortable truth. In a swirling world of conflicting needs, wants, desires, we have to prioritize. We focus on ... Read More ![]() 2016-01-29 – Searching for a place to standPhenomenal color prior to the sunrise this morning. Walking up while the skies are developing fierce golds, reds, light purples and ... Read More ![]() 2016-01-23 – Picture day!It was a fine morning, with a giant red ball of a sun peeking through a thin gap in the ... Read More ![]() 2016-01-22 – Resolve what?A word or two about resolution. Those who have been reading this blog for a while have no doubt taken ... Read More 2016-01-19 – Photographing frostWhat a glorious morning. Though it didn't start out that way. It started groggy and painful, with a ragged cough ... Read More ![]() 2016-01-16 – Learning new things"Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake!" (Points if you can tell me what show that's a quote from; extra-special BONUS points if ... Read More |
![]() 2016-10-27 – Wonderful WildlifeIt was a gloomy day - not surprising, it's late October. Which means it's almost November. And I don't know ... Read More ![]() 2016-10-26 – A Fall RainThe rain started last night, thrumming on the roof, gentle and rhythmic, soothing the tired mind into sleep. It was ... Read More ![]() 2016-10-25 – MisunderstandingsI was at work until two this morning. I'm not doing that again. I can't keep that up and still ... Read More ![]() 2016-10-24 – Finding the unexpectedSo, how often does it happen to you? Those moments when what you expect changes what you actually see? 'Cause we're peculiar ... Read More ![]() 2016-10-23 – Challenges, againWoke up this morning with fierce stomach cramps that ranged from uncomfortable to painful. Wasn't quite sure why, either. Nothing ... Read More ![]() 2016-10-22 – Colors and conversationsRan into an extraordinary number of folks up on the Bluff this morning. Sunrise Stats! First light: 7:06 AM Sunrise: 7:36 ... Read More ![]() 2016-10-21 – Pink fog and thin iceAnother groggy morning, so it was fitting that the air was blurred with a fine drifting mist. (Mental fog, physical ... Read More ![]() 2016-10-20 – Self-sabotage revisitedThere was an NSP energy truck parked in the regular parking area for the Bluff this morning when I arrived ... Read More ![]() 2016-10-19 – Fiery color… aaand it’s goneThere was color developing right along as I was driving in. Down low on the horizon, a rich vivid red ... Read More ![]() 2016-10-18 – Clear skies, kind ofTired groggy puppy today. Got about three hours of sleep overnight. It was raining all last night - I think ... Read More |
![]() 2016-07-25 – Entrepreneur or wantrepreneur?What a gorgeous morning! The temperature dropped overnight to the high 60s, so I grabbed the lightest of my jackets ... Read More ![]() 2016-03-16 – An idea for supporting the photography habitSome nice patterns in the clouds today. Didn't see any color or glimpses of the sun, but it was still ... Read More ![]() 2016-01-27 – Take a deep breath, spread your wings, and jumpAhhh, lovely sunshine! Bask in the reddish-orange glow and delight in the radiance! Play with the ight and color and ... Read More ![]() 2016-01-09 – You can find a wayI'd like to take a moment to talk to the fledgling photographers out there; you know who you are. You're ... Read More |