Rural Impressionism

What’s the thing that’s in the eye of the beholder? Oh yeah, it’s beauty.

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Once in a while it’s worth trying something new. Leaving the old comfort zone. Going a little sideways.

I took a class on Impressionist Photography that spurred me to try a bunch of experimental techniques. What’s Impressionism, you might ask?

“Impressionist photography focuses on capturing atmosphere, changing light and movement. It uses techniques such as blurred subjects, movement and curved lines to create an impression of life.”  martinvorel.com

Basically, break the rules.

The class was called Urban Impressionism, and the instructor wanted shots of city skylines and street life. But the nearest urban skyline is an inconveniently long drive from me. Instead, what I’ve got is a fifty acres of corn growing in the backyard. So I did Rural Impressionism.

For several days I trotted out to the cornfield with my camera. Spent hours between the tall rows, my clothes damp and dewy with corn sweat. What’s corn sweat, you ask?

“Corn plants push water out through the leaves as vapor. During peak summer months, one acre of corn can release thousands of gallons of water into the air every day.”

Look how much we’re learning!

These weird camera techniques squeezed out some peculiar pictures. Is it beautiful art? That’s in the eye of the beholder. And really, it doesn’t matter. The fun of stumbling into something new was the whole point.

So whatever your creative thing is, go ahead and break a few rules. Get out there in the weeds. Or the corn sweat. Have some beautiful fun!