Category Archives: General

Quickest Way to See The Great Plains? Buy the Video.

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A couple weeks ago, I posted about the documentary based on Michael Forsberg’s book on The Great Plains.  It premiered on Nebraska Public Television stations last week, and it was even better than I’d expected.  Hopefully, most of you who live in Nebraska got a chance to see it, but for those of you outside the state (and outside the country) it might be a while.  I’ve fielded questions from a number of you about how/when you might get to see the show.  It’s hard to believe it won’t be shown nationally at some point, but there is currently no timeline for that to happen.

That’s the bad news.  The good news is that you can see the entire show in your own home – over and over, whenever you want. 

…For only $19.95! 

DVDs of the video are on sale now on Michael Forsberg’s website.  If you’re interested, click HERE to go to his site.

I strongly recommend this video (and not just because I’m in it!)  Forsberg and the NET crew did a fantastic job of capturing the conservation issues and gorgeous landscapes of this wonderful part of North America. They tell a powerful story, using Mike’s still photos and NET’s beautiful video.

Here is a link to the trailer for the show, in case you just need a quick hit while you wait for the DVD to ship.

Photo of the Week – November 16, 2012

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I really enjoy photography, but I’m glad I don’t have to make my living doing it.  For me, photography is something I get to do for fun – grabbing opportunities when they arise, instead of having to record a particular event at a particular time.  I have incredible respect for journalistic photographers who show up and make beautiful or powerful images out of very challenging photographic situations.  I’ve done that kind of photography a few times, and found it much more stressful than enjoyable.  It’s much more fun to pull my camera out of the bag only when the light is good and I have some time to wander.

Restored wetland habitat at The Nature Conservancy’s Platte River Prairies, Nebraska. The sun was just nearing the thin edge of a big cloud bank, bathing the scene in warm diffused light – perfect conditions for photography.

Yesterday morning, I arrived at our Platte River Prairies field headquarters a little early for a meeting.  As I was driving in, I was enjoying the beautiful light being produced as the sun neared the edge of a receding cloud bank.  Since I had a little time, I turned onto a short trail road, parked, and hiked into one of our restored wetlands to see if I could find anything to photograph.

As I walked up to the edge of the water, I flushed a great blue heron and a dozen mallards, and listened to several flocks of cranes passing overhead.  During the next 15 minutes or so I walked the edge of a wet swale with my camera – until the sun finally emerged completely from behind the clouds and the light became too intense for my liking.  I packed up and headed for my meeting… and arrived right on time.

Deadline-free photography – it’s a wonderful thing.