No trip to Tallgrass Prairie would be complete without a stop at the old schoolhouse. One of the things I was most impressed with was the quality of the stonework in the region. I'll bet you won't see too many fake rock, glued-up stone masonry jobs in this part of the country. From what I understand in talking with the locals, there is still a very prosperous quarry operation near here, where several truckloads of cut stone are hauled out daily.
I shot this moonset scene for a good long while with the moon visible, but think I like this one the best because of the cloud illumination by the moon just behind the school. Hope you guys like it too. Comments are always appreciated.
Very nice William. The hidden moon doesn't dominate the scene like I think it would if it weren't obscured. My grandfather went to school in that school house. I haven't had the time to visit the Tallgrass Prairie yet, but it is on my list of places to visit.
Posted by Tim Buchanan on June 24, 2008 at 12:57 AM
Very interesting, Bill - the dappled moonlight above the school almost looks like water. I can easily see this as more of a pano format - shaving the rocks off the bottom and some of the sky off the top strengthens the focus on the school and tree. It's very nice as is, though!
Posted by Wayne Rhodus on June 24, 2008 at 7:43 AM
Very nice Bill, with the strong cool colors of twilight. I like the comp with a little off the top and a little distortion correction to straighten the power pole and school house walls.
No question about it Tim, I much prefer this pano version. The loose regolith in the foreground just wasn't helping much, and not enough interest in the sky to justify keeping it all.
Wayne - the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve is an 11,000 acre preserve in Chase County, 20 miles or so west of Emporia. It is managed by the National Park Service, The Nature Conservancy, and other envionmental organizations. But there is actually much more tallgrass prairie in the region that is on private property. If you really want the lowdown on Chase County, check out the book by William Least Heat-Moon, PrairyErth. Oh, yeah, what looks like a power pole is actually a flag pole...looks plumb to me.
Posted by Wayne Rhodus on June 24, 2008 at 9:20 AM
Thanks Bill, just wasn't sure if there was another tallgrass prairie nearer your home where you were shooting. Huh, I must of had my head cocked!
Nice effect with the positioning of the moon. I liked the bottom portion on the original, as well as the more spacious feeling of the original sky. Great subject Bill.
Love the glow around the building, and the blue in the sky is great. Man weve had some great skies lately just haven't had time to go shoot. Look forward to your others.
Posted by Tim Buchanan on June 25, 2008 at 9:50 AM
Very nice Bill. I see you were around the Alma area. I actually went on a tour last summer that consisted of visiting 5 prominent stone buildings in Chase and surrounding counties. We stopped at this exact school house and listened to a talk given by one of the organizers of this "Native Stone Tour". If your a history buff it is very interesting. I really like the shot. You done the 'ol place good.
Discussion
12 repliesI shot this moonset scene for a good long while with the moon visible, but think I like this one the best because of the cloud illumination by the moon just behind the school. Hope you guys like it too. Comments are always appreciated.
Where exactly is this tallgrass prairie Bill?
No question about it Tim, I much prefer this pano version. The loose regolith in the foreground just wasn't helping much, and not enough interest in the sky to justify keeping it all.
Wayne - the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve is an 11,000 acre preserve in Chase County, 20 miles or so west of Emporia. It is managed by the National Park Service, The Nature Conservancy, and other envionmental organizations. But there is actually much more tallgrass prairie in the region that is on private property. If you really want the lowdown on Chase County, check out the book by William Least Heat-Moon, PrairyErth. Oh, yeah, what looks like a power pole is actually a flag pole...looks plumb to me.
Brad