Ed Burtynsky: Manufactured Landscapes

Above photographs by Ed Burtynsky

Occasionally I like to post about a photographer that has inspired or influenced me in some way. Ed Burtynksy is one of those artists. I was first introduced to his work at “The Art of Emprise” exhibit in the Lawrence Arts Center Gallery a couple of years ago. His photograph of mine tailings dominated this show which was in company with some very impressive paintings and 3-dimensional works. His large scale photographic prints capture landscapes that have been massively transformed by industry. Most capture the tragic beauty of mans relationship with the environment. His portfolio includes images of rock quarries, recycling centers, landfills, and suburban landscapes. He recently traveled to China to photograph the construction of the 3 Gorges Dam Project.

If you are interested in photography and the environment please take time to look at his website. I hope you are as inspired and moved by these images as I am.

You are visiting the blog of photographer and artist Daniel W. Coburn. For more information regarding the work of Daniel W. Coburn visit his website.

Lawrence Gallery Walk Tonight @ Lawrence Public Library – 7-9pm

Above – Top: Winter Wheat by Daniel W. Coburn – Bottom: Sunflower Field, Sunset Osage Co. KS by Roger Spohn

Tonight!! 7-9pm @ Lawrence Public Library – see attached postcard

Snacks and Refreshments Provided!

Please join me in a celebration of our ongoing exhibit at Lawrence Public Library. Snacks and refreshments will be provided. Also see works by Rachael Sudlow and Katie Jennings.

Kansas Backroads: Images of Rural America
Photographs by Daniel Coburn and Roger Spohn

BETWEEN EARTH AND SKY
Dan Coburn’s new book will be available for sale at this event and he will be there to sign your copy.  The new book contains over 40  black and white landscape images and includes an introduction written by Kansas arts advocate Don Lambert.  The book retails for $14.00

http://www.danielwcoburn.com

http://www.rogerspohn.com

Lawrence Public Library
707 Vermont St
Lawrence, KS 66044
March 1 – April 30

Opening Reception for the Artists/Gallery Walk:
April 25 – 7-9pm

Flint Hills: Prairie Fire Photographs

My good friend and fellow artist Louis Copt was kind enough to take me along on his latest adventure in the Flint Hills. Louis is famous for his paintings of prairie fires and the Kansas landscape. I came along to shoot a portrait of him for his website and also to see the magic of a Spring burn. The grandeur of this beautiful event is impossible to capture with a camera. We were in the middle of the burn for about 2 1/2 hours. It was like being on another planet. I think I came back with some solid photos, but the phenomenon is something you must experience first-hand to comprehend. The owners burned 8,000 acres on this ranch near Matfield Green

Please post your opinions and critiques in the comments section

All photos by Daniel W. Coburn

Juried Competitions and New Work

Above Images by Daniel W. Coburn

New/Old Work

Over the past few years it has been my goal to create a cohesive and recognizable body of work.  I have been “building a brand” I guess you might say_ actively seeking out images centered around a common theme.  When working on something like this it’s easy to get tunnel vision.  It’s easy to shut yourself out from other opportunities.  In order to prevent this from happening I carry my camera everywhere I go.  Whenever I see someone or something that is interesting I do my best to capture the moment.  I don’t actively seek out these instances.  These are events that unfold naturally, and I am happy to be there with my camera when they do.  This casual work has given birth to a series of portraits and unconventional landscapes.  I hope these images will provide an honest and uncontrived glimpse into the world as I see it.  I’m not quite ready to post all of these images, but stay tuned.

Juried Competitions

I enter a lot of juried art and photography exhibits.  I have enjoyed a lot of success but have endured even more rejection.  It’s just a part of the game.  Most of my success at juried exhibitions has been a result of this work that unfolds in the background.  I haven’t had a lot of luck with my landscape images in these types of shows.  Landscape work is my source of inspiration, and though these images are never straight forward, most critics aren’t big fans of scenic photography.  I use these juried shows to try out new work.  You know_ Throw it against the wall and see if it sticks.

If you have experience with juried competitions, or have some good advice, post your remarks in the comments section.

PhotoSpiva: 2008 National Juried Competition/Exhibition and Jurors Lecture

Above image entitled “Gut-Wagon Graveyard” by Daniel W.Coburn will be exhibited in PhotoSpiva 2008

Celebrating its 32nd year, Spiva’s acclaimed national competition results in an exhibition of excellence, a “snapshot” of contemporary photography featuring notable works by U.S. amateurs and professionals.

Two of my images were chosen for display in this exhibition by juror Rod Slemmons.

PhotoSpiva 2008
April 19 – June 1, 2008
George A. Spiva Center for the Arts
222 W. 3rd Street
Joplin, M0 64801
Phone: 417.623.0183

Rod Slemmons

Rod Slemmons has been the Director of the Museum of Contemporary Photography at Columbia College Chicago since 2002, where he teaches undergraduate photo history and graduate theory seminars in the Photography Department. He also teaches graduate courses at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. He has curated six exhibitions at MOCP, including “Persistence of Vision: The Career of Paul Berger.”

Rod previously taught photography, history of photography and graduate Museum Studies for 12 years at the University of Washington in Seattle. He was the National Chair of the Society for Photographic Education from 1990 to 1994. He was named Honored Educator at the SPE National Conference in Miami in 2007. Before and during his time at the University of Washington he was the Curator of Prints and Photographs at the Seattle Art Museum for 14 years, producing 35 exhibitions and numerous catalogs, including “Like a One-Eyed Cat” in 1989, the first retrospective of Lee Friedlander.

Rod has an MA in literature and writing from the University of Iowa. He trained as a graduate intern at the International Museum of Photography at George Eastman House while working on an MFA in Photography and Museum Studies from the Rochester Institute of Technology, 1976–78.

PhotoSpiva 2008 Juror’s Lecture

Presented in cooperation with Missouri Southern State University

“Photographers Without Borders: Medium, Media, Meditation”

Rod Slemmons will discuss his criteria for selection and the context of contemporary photography.

2:00 pm Saturday, April 19
Webster Hall Auditorium
Webster Hall
Missouri Southern State University
3850 Newman Road
Joplin, MO 64801

Admission by voluntary contribution.
Reservations requested: 417.623.0183