Home in the Heartland
By Joli B
22 June 2008
The Heartland of American Agriculture can be a photographer's wonderland. If you just look through the many pictures of agriculture found on JPG, you will see documentation of the richness of the land, the emotions of the people, and the many structures which add to the Heartland's heritage and bounty.
These captures & documentation can also present tricks of light, shadows of great darkness and dilemmas beyond those you've ever experienced as a photographer. Documenting the Heartland of America is very similar to the ups & downs of a farm family's life which, to a great extent, is dependable on the weather, on the equipment and on the personal determination and stamina of an individual or their entire family.
All of the photos in this essay are part of my summer time efforts to document the heart of the Heartland's agriculture. With the captures, I'm attempting to give not only a sense of a family farm, but a piece of the history and heritage which makes the Heartland a wonderful place.
Agriculture is hard work and detailed labor. A farm can also be a very humbling place to be. Mother Nature can devastate you quickly. Mother Nature can also bring you a bountiful harvest. For a great part of the farm life, you work at her mercy.
Needless to say to you, because of these risks, agriculture is a challenging place to be. For the next 3 months, I have taken on an assignment to challenge myself through the lens just as a farmer is challenged during a growing season.
Through this assignment, I hope to document in detail the trials & tribulations of a family farmer and bring to you some of Mother Nature's best shots as captured through my own filtered experience in farming and my challenges I experience through my camera's lens.
More Feature Stories
More stories by Joli B
Woo-hoo, We Got ER !!
Personal Post. 5 Aug 2008.
Just a quick word of elation......We have a regional er room! ! !
Photos for Health Update
Personal Post. 28 Jul 2008.
An update for locations of photo winners in the Photos for Health Contest
