Winter Thunder Storms and Ice in Kansas

Above photograph by Daniel W. Coburn – Copyright 2008

Something just isn’t right…

The temperature reached almost 70 degrees in Eastern Kansas yesterday afternoon with southerly winds. Most people that live in Kansas know that winds from the south, coupled with an approaching cold front, means big thunderstorms. This is pretty typical weather for these parts… BUT NOT IN DECEMBER!!! Just days ago we had temperatures in the single digits. We did get some big thunder storms and many of the roads were still covered in hail this morning when I went out to make photographs. Most of the grasses and trees were covered in a thick layer of ice.

Ice is a very difficult thing to photograph. You need sunlight… but too much sunlight is not good. Here are a couple of the better photos from my outing. Enjoy and please leave your remarks in the comments section.

Above photograph by Daniel W. Coburn – Copyright 2008

Above photograph by Daniel W. Coburn – Copyright 2008

You are visiting the blog of fine art photographer Daniel W. Coburn. For additional information and to see more photos visit his official website.

Happy Holidays from Daniel W. Coburn Photography

Above Image of Grace Episcopal Cathedral by: Daniel W. Coburn

Well it’s that time of year again. Even if you’re not religious you can rejoice in the passing of the winter solstice. The days will gradually be getting longer and these blustery, gray, winter days will eventually surrender to the warm, fragrant breeze of Spring. Can you just imagine the feeling of warm sunshine on your skin?… ahhhhh. Hold on to that.

I recently had the opportunity to photograph the interior of Grace Episcopal Cathedral here in Topeka. About a year ago I had an exhibit of my photography in their Cloister Gallery. It was interesting, since I exhibited work from my Gods and the Garden portfolio which offers a critical view of all types of religion. I was back this time to capture images of the stained glass. I was mesmerized purely by the visual spectacle of light shining through these finely crafted windows. A fire damaged a majority of the windows decades ago and only a few of the originals remain. Below is a detail of one of those original windows. The delicate handling of the drapery and facial features is absolutely breathtaking.

Above Photo: Detail of stained glass in Grace Episcopal Cathedral (photo credit Daniel W. Coburn)

You are visiting the blog of fine art photographer Daniel W. Coburn. For more information and to see additional photographs visit his official website.

Topeka Magazine Cover: Justin Marable and Daniel W. Coburn Collaboration

Above cover image by Daniel W. Coburn and Justin Marable. Cover design reproduced courtesy of Sunflower Publishing.

For the last year I have taken on freelance assignments for Topeka Magazine. I had the opportunity to feature local artist, Justin Marable, in the Winter 2008 issue of this impressive local publication. Barbara Waterman-Peters, another talented Topeka artist, wrote the article about this gifted printmaker and his family.

The good people at Topeka Magazine suggested that Justin and I collaborate on an image for this issue’s cover. I provided the photograph and Justin customized the image with his unique approach to printmaking. The result was a fantastic serigraph (silkscreen print) that can currently be seen on news stands at several Topeka institutions, including Barnes and Noble and the Topeka Public Library.

Above image: “Winter Moonrise” by Daniel W. Coburn.

I also contributed to stories that cover Topeka therapy dogs, the historic Chubb home, and Jane Metzger (CEO of the Meals-on- Wheels organization.) Pick up your issue to read these stories as well as many more with a focus on Topeka.

You are visiting the blog of fine art photographer Daniel W. Coburn. For more information and to see additional photographs visit his official website.

Drawing by a Photographer: The Battle of Anghiari by Daniel W. Coburn

Above Drawing: Study of the Battle of Anghiari by Daniel W. Coburn

Above Drawing: Study of the Battle of Anghiari by Peter Paul Rubens

The History of Renaissance Art

I took a course at Washburn University this semester regarding the history of Renaissance Art. We were required to write a research paper on a topic of our choosing. Since I am an art major, I had the option of completing a research project. I have always been fascinated with this particular drawing. Leonardo da Vinci was commissioned to create a mural on the theme of the Battle of Anghiari for the Council Chamber of the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence. He started the mural in one of his experimental techniques but the fresco was never finished and it was eventually covered with a painting by Georgio Vasari. Flemish Baroque painter, Peter Paul Rubens, recreated the mural in this drawing that he made by looking at previous copies and studies from Leonardo’s notebooks. This was a composition that inspired the work of Rubens throughout his lifetime. Biomedical engineer and art preservationist Maurizio Seracini believes that the central panel of Leonardos original fresco is preserved behind the painting by Vasari. He has used lasers and other electronic sensing devices to determine that there is a narrow cavity in the wall behind Vasari’s mural. Georgio Vasari was an artist, architect, AND one of the worlds first art historians, so it is likely he took measures to protect Leonardo’s masterpiece.

My Project

I chose to recreate this drawing to study the mark making techniques of both Leonardo and Rubens. Rubens’ work was completed in charcoal, pen and ink, and ink wash. My drawing was completed on a prepared panel in charcoal heightened with white chalk. My drawing measures approx 40″ x 60.” Rubens drawing is much smaller.

You are visiting the blog of fine art photographer Daniel W. Coburn. For more information and to see additional photographs visit his official website.

Daniel W. Coburn image selected for “Idea of Self” exhibition @ The Center for Fine Art Photography

Above image: Chaetophobia by Daniel W. Coburn

My image entitled Chaetophobia was recently selected by juror Susan A. Zadeh for inclusion in a juried group exhibit at The Center for Fine Art Photography in Fort Collins Colorado. Zadeh is editor in chief and artistic director for EYEMAZING, an international magazine on contemporary photography based in Amsterdam. EYEMAZING won a Lucie award for best photography magazine of the year 2008.

This print was made using the salted paper process. A fine art watercolor paper is coated with table salt and then coated with a silver nitrate solution which makes the paper light sensitive. A contact print is then made with a negative.

Visual Puzzle

Chaetophobia is the fear of hair. There is a bit of surrealism hidden in this image if you look closely. If you identify the hidden image post your findings in the comments section!! :c)

You are visiting the blog of fine art photographer Daniel W. Coburn. For more information and to see additional photographs visit his official website.

Presentation for the Emporia Camera Club

Photo by Cheryl Unruh reproduced courtesy of Flyover People

Wow! It’s been a while since my last post. I apologize to those of you who religiously check my blog… I know there are a few of you out there… right? The year is winding down and I have completed several projects that I will be posting here in the next couple of weeks. In about a month I will release my next major body of work. It’s been a long time coming, since I’ve been working on this project for about 3 years now. Look for that soon.

I was the key note speaker for the Emporia Camera Club‘s annual holiday dinner. It was a great time and there were about 50 or so people in attendance. It’s always great to talk with other people who are enthusiastic about photography. Dave Leiker is the club president and a very fine photographer. It was a pleasure getting to meet him and his wife Cheryl who runs Flyover People. Flyover People is a great blog, website, and forum dedicated to those people living in Kansas. Cheryl and Dave travel to small towns throughout Kansas to document and photograph them. Cheryl also writes for the Emporia Gazette.

You are visiting the blog of fine art photographer Daniel W. Coburn. For more information and to see additional photographs visit his official website.