For those of you who went into the top of Indian Creek, the first waterfall that you came to (same one that Brad posted a photo of) right near the top is named after the long-time US Congressman from Arkansas, John Paul Hammerschmidt, who was one of the main reasons the Buffalo River was protected (and why I named it after him). At the grand opening yesterday for the new Ernst gallery (aka Boone County Medical Center Tower in Harrison), John Paul himself was the keynote speaker, and I was fortunate enough to be able to spend some time with him in "his" waiting room (he funded the construction) - that is us in front of a 42" x 52" canvas print of Hammerschmidt Falls that is in the middle of that wonderful room.
The reason JP has that look on his face is because he had just asked me how much a copy of the print would cost him! He is a genuine great person and did a tremendous amount of good things for the state of Arkansas - he also beat Bill Clinton in an election way back in the early days! We all owe JPH a great deal of thanks...
This print is one of 129 prints of mine now on display at the new Tower addition to the hospital - which includes nearly 60 large canvas prints. If you get the chance to go by and see them be sure to look into the administration area, especially the board room - there is a large canvas print of Lake Harrison with the city skyline taken at dusk that is quite remarkable.
By the way, when I first made the large canvas print of this waterfall there was not all that much detail in the moss-covered rocks in the foreground. I went back and re-processed the digital file (taken with a Nikon D2X I think) with current software, and then made a careful selection of profile and rendering intent during printing. I was able to make a print that shows even the individual moss "hairs" that is quite amazing for a print this size, especially on canvas - you can walk right up to it and almost feel the texture of the moss.
The prints are in the new Tower addition to the Boone County Regional Medical Center in Harrison (just a few blocks north of the square - it is the building with all the new glass). There are four floors - the big canvas prints are scattered throughout the public rooms and hallways on all floors (plus in the board room); framed prints are in each individual patient room. The hospital administration wanted to create a showcase of nature photography from the region, and a destination where folks could come and just look around at the images, so it will be open for viewing (you don't have to be sick or injured!) - kind of weird to go to a hospital to view the largest collection of fine art nature photography prints of Arkansas, but this new facility really does show off the photos pretty well. Of course, the main reason for all the prints is to aid in healing of patients - research has shown that nature images like these help speed up the healing process by reducing blood pressure and stress, etc. An unadvertised result of these images is the fact that the STAFF on the floors seem to really love the images, and I think that will make their working experience and attitudes better for all - a happy place to work is a good place to work for all. I met quite a few staff folks at the grand opening yesterday that were all beaming smiles and had to stop and tell me what their favorite photo was and why - I can never get enough of those smiles...
Posted by Wayne Rhodus on April 30, 2008 at 9:02 AM
Tim, another entry for your resume ... medical healer! I am absolutely convinced of the healing power of nature and its boundless beauty. You capture that essence with every print you hang. I'm sure that the display of so many fine images in a medical facility can only have a positive impact on the patients, but I never thought about the employees.
I do have a question ... when you "name" a natural feature, do you have to do something legally to have it become official? Or is it like some other things that after being referred to as something for so long it just becomes "official"?
Yup, whatever folks call it becomes the "official" name, and generally that is considered what is published. When I did the waterfall guidebook I discovered that most of the waterfalls in the state did not have names, and I went to great lengths to find out any local names and would always use them first.
The first waterfall that I named was Copperhead Falls on Indian Creek - had to name the waterfall for a large poster I had done of it. The name came from a friendly copperhead that was curled up while I shot next to my bright WHITE camera bag (Zone VI - the only camera bag I have ever seen that was the color a camera bag should be - heat destroyed film). It is always a hoot to see the name published along with someone's else's photo.
Discussion
6 repliesThe reason JP has that look on his face is because he had just asked me how much a copy of the print would cost him! He is a genuine great person and did a tremendous amount of good things for the state of Arkansas - he also beat Bill Clinton in an election way back in the early days! We all owe JPH a great deal of thanks...
This print is one of 129 prints of mine now on display at the new Tower addition to the hospital - which includes nearly 60 large canvas prints. If you get the chance to go by and see them be sure to look into the administration area, especially the board room - there is a large canvas print of Lake Harrison with the city skyline taken at dusk that is quite remarkable.
By the way, when I first made the large canvas print of this waterfall there was not all that much detail in the moss-covered rocks in the foreground. I went back and re-processed the digital file (taken with a Nikon D2X I think) with current software, and then made a careful selection of profile and rendering intent during printing. I was able to make a print that shows even the individual moss "hairs" that is quite amazing for a print this size, especially on canvas - you can walk right up to it and almost feel the texture of the moss.
That's a great composition. I hope to get to see that display soon. Where is that?
I do have a question ... when you "name" a natural feature, do you have to do something legally to have it become official? Or is it like some other things that after being referred to as something for so long it just becomes "official"?
Congrats on the sale "Doc" Tim.
The first waterfall that I named was Copperhead Falls on Indian Creek - had to name the waterfall for a large poster I had done of it. The name came from a friendly copperhead that was curled up while I shot next to my bright WHITE camera bag (Zone VI - the only camera bag I have ever seen that was the color a camera bag should be - heat destroyed film). It is always a hoot to see the name published along with someone's else's photo.