After a great deal of work and effort, I'm very pleased to announce that my most recent photography project is now available for a limited time, as a free PDF download. To view the electronic book, you will need Adobe Acrobat 5.0 or newer.
If anyone is interested in downloading/viewing the ebook, simply head over to my website and follow the directions given on the most recent blog posting: http://www.joeltruckenbrod.com/
A fair number of the images have been posted here over the past year or so, and I'd like to once again thank everyone for their feedback, support and encouragement! It's been very helpful.
This is a Great collection of photos. I recognized some of them from the forum and others from my visits to the park. I’ve been thinking of a winter visit to the park and your photos reinforced my desire to make the trip.
Posted by Ken Bachofer on January 7, 2009 at 1:04 AM
A masterful compilation Joel. Even after seeing many of these images this past year or so, the complete collection is awesome.
It was really great to spend a couple of days with you at Banning this fall. I hope we're still on for a trip to Log Creek in the spring.
Posted by Pedro Bento on January 7, 2009 at 4:03 AM
Congratulations on this wonderful compilation of images!
Posted by Chuck Beatty on January 7, 2009 at 9:08 AM
A remarkable compendium of your work, Joel. I've greatly enjoyed your images in the forum and seeing them all together is quite impressive. Your love of the place really come through.
Posted by Darren Huski on January 7, 2009 at 12:37 PM
Joel-
This is fantastic!!
It is a wonderful collection of images that is presented in a very professional manner. The image quality- from the technical to the artistic is surpurb. You have put together a great portfolio and captured the essence of the place and it's seasons.
I would also agree with Chuck's comment of having enjoyed watching your posting of individual images and now seeing them all together.
BTW-I am also fairly impressed that this was all in Banning too. I made it there once and found it nice but would not have guessed to see this much from that one park. You have really shown what dedication and exploration can find. Great job!
You really have something here, I think it has potential as a printed book, or a magazine feature, etc. I hope it can get you some well deserved notice!
-Darren
Posted by Brian Vance on January 7, 2009 at 1:40 PM
Joel, I agree with Darren (and the others) completely. Having come onboard late in the year, I missed most of the original posts. I'm glad you offered to share them as a group. Do you have any plans in the works to make this into a book? The results are well worth the effort involved. Exceptional and inspiring all the way around!
Joel,
I downloaded the book yesterday and have really been enjoying it! As others have written, you've done a masterful job of photography and design of the book - simple and beautiful.
So, will you now try to submit it to a publisher? It would be interesting to hear how a regional publisher might respond to this as a hardbound book...
Tim!
Posted by Toni Lankerd on January 7, 2009 at 4:31 PM
Great job, Joel! Thanks so much for sharing the book with us. I would also suggest you see if you can get it published..it's worthy!!!
Regarding the publication question: I highly doubt this project will ever be printed as a book. This particular state park is simply not that marketable. I've also heard some very unfortunate things about the current book climate from a highly credible source, probably due to the economy. These things said, I never imagined that this collection of images would get published as a book. Believe it or not, it was simply done as a personal exercise (yeah, I tend to get carried away). I am however looking into regional magazine publication.
I'm blessed that I can share it with so many people through the internet. Thank you all for taking some of your precious time to download and view it!
Posted by Darren Huski on January 8, 2009 at 2:55 PM
Joel-
I can understand the thought that Banning is not a famous mass market park, but I am not sure Glen Canyon was when Eliot Porter was photographing it either. Yes, there are some differences, but it is still a fantastc place that you captured very well. And even if it could not be a book on it's own it could be a cornerstone on a book on Minnesota or the north woods.
I know that I was very impressed with it (my first thought was it was freakin awesome!) and it got me to thinking about new ways to present my own work for people to see.
Looking into a regional magazine is a good step. Does Minnesota have an equilivant of Arizona Highways or Texas Highways type publication?
Go for it.
Posted by Deb Little on January 8, 2009 at 9:44 PM
Joel,
Very beautifully done. The simplicity of your layout design enhances the beauty of your photography.
Ladies and Gentlemen, if you haven't downloaded this book yet, you are missing a treat. Go get it right now - especially based on Joel's comment that this is a limited time offer! I don't care if you are on dial-up - download it overnight. This should not be missed by anyone who loves quality nature photography.
Thanks for the additional comments. Due to the number of downloads that are still taking place, I have decided to keep the ebook up for another week at least. Thanks again to everyone for taking the time to look through it.
Darren - No, we don't have an equivalent such as that. I would say in part, because most who live here don't (in my opinion) consider it a very beautiful place to live. Sure, the north eastern portion of the state is greatly loved, but it's certainly not a coincidence that many Minnesota Nature photographers have a significant portion of their portfolio consisting of images taken from other parts of the country. There are a few options though - and yes, I'm going for it! Thanks again for your support. It means a lot.
Posted by Andy Richards on January 11, 2009 at 10:51 AM
Joel: I, too, enjoyed it. I am interested in your more recent post regarding the number of Minnesota photographers who have a significant part of their portfolios from other places. I can empathize. I have often characterized my home in the Michigan's "Thumb" as the flattest, brownest place in the U.S., with the most significant features being power lines.
But your book demonstrates what we all know. If you look for it, there are always photographic opportunities in our own backyard. Some of my favorite photos are taken in the Shiawassee NWR, which is only a couple miles from my house -- at one entrance. There are no mountains or waterfalls. But there is always something to photograph if you are willing to work at it. Your book presents what some could think of as rather mundane, in an often stunning way. Congratulations
Posted by Tim Marks on January 11, 2009 at 10:47 PM
Andy: It also seems worth mentioning that the roadblock many Midwestern photographers face (this phenomenon certainly isn't confined to Minnesota, and has been discussed on this forum before), may simply be an issue of inspiration. Finding beauty and inspiration in what we consider mundane is a challenge, no doubt. I certainly hope you realize that I don't look down on photographers who feel the need to go somewhere else to photograph - that's definitely not that point. Rather, I believe there's a richer experience involved in meaningful work done at a place that can be returned to on a frequent basis - for both photographer and viewer. Are there places that inspire me more than Banning State Park? Absolutely. But at this point in my life, they aren't accessible enough that I can create the type of work I want to in those places. Some of this will change in time, but you get the point. It's nice to hear that you also are able to find a place close to home that you can access readily. Are there other places in Michigan that you can access on a semi frequent basis? I would argue that finding inspiration is a process requiring time, effort and energy. I know it was for me with this project.
Posted by Andy Richards on January 12, 2009 at 12:37 PM
Joel: I didn't think you looked down on photographers who photograph elsewhere at all! Indeed, I am one of them. The bulk of my portfolio of nature and outdoor images are from Vermont and New Mexico. I agree 100% with what you say above. There is a a saying that says something about "success" being 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration. I think, unfortunately, that I am one of those who hasn't expended enough of the time, effort and energy part of the equation. I think your book goes a long way toward inspiring those of us in that boat. The other part is all up to us. Best regards
Discussion
17 repliesIf anyone is interested in downloading/viewing the ebook, simply head over to my website and follow the directions given on the most recent blog posting: http://www.joeltruckenbrod.com/
A fair number of the images have been posted here over the past year or so, and I'd like to once again thank everyone for their feedback, support and encouragement! It's been very helpful.
It was really great to spend a couple of days with you at Banning this fall. I hope we're still on for a trip to Log Creek in the spring.
This is fantastic!!
It is a wonderful collection of images that is presented in a very professional manner. The image quality- from the technical to the artistic is surpurb. You have put together a great portfolio and captured the essence of the place and it's seasons.
I would also agree with Chuck's comment of having enjoyed watching your posting of individual images and now seeing them all together.
BTW-I am also fairly impressed that this was all in Banning too. I made it there once and found it nice but would not have guessed to see this much from that one park. You have really shown what dedication and exploration can find. Great job!
You really have something here, I think it has potential as a printed book, or a magazine feature, etc. I hope it can get you some well deserved notice!
-Darren
I downloaded the book yesterday and have really been enjoying it! As others have written, you've done a masterful job of photography and design of the book - simple and beautiful.
So, will you now try to submit it to a publisher? It would be interesting to hear how a regional publisher might respond to this as a hardbound book...
Tim!
Regarding the publication question: I highly doubt this project will ever be printed as a book. This particular state park is simply not that marketable. I've also heard some very unfortunate things about the current book climate from a highly credible source, probably due to the economy. These things said, I never imagined that this collection of images would get published as a book. Believe it or not, it was simply done as a personal exercise (yeah, I tend to get carried away). I am however looking into regional magazine publication.
I'm blessed that I can share it with so many people through the internet. Thank you all for taking some of your precious time to download and view it!
I can understand the thought that Banning is not a famous mass market park, but I am not sure Glen Canyon was when Eliot Porter was photographing it either. Yes, there are some differences, but it is still a fantastc place that you captured very well. And even if it could not be a book on it's own it could be a cornerstone on a book on Minnesota or the north woods.
I know that I was very impressed with it (my first thought was it was freakin awesome!) and it got me to thinking about new ways to present my own work for people to see.
Looking into a regional magazine is a good step. Does Minnesota have an equilivant of Arizona Highways or Texas Highways type publication?
Go for it.
Very beautifully done. The simplicity of your layout design enhances the beauty of your photography.
CJ
Darren - No, we don't have an equivalent such as that. I would say in part, because most who live here don't (in my opinion) consider it a very beautiful place to live. Sure, the north eastern portion of the state is greatly loved, but it's certainly not a coincidence that many Minnesota Nature photographers have a significant portion of their portfolio consisting of images taken from other parts of the country. There are a few options though - and yes, I'm going for it! Thanks again for your support. It means a lot.
But your book demonstrates what we all know. If you look for it, there are always photographic opportunities in our own backyard. Some of my favorite photos are taken in the Shiawassee NWR, which is only a couple miles from my house -- at one entrance. There are no mountains or waterfalls. But there is always something to photograph if you are willing to work at it. Your book presents what some could think of as rather mundane, in an often stunning way. Congratulations
This is fantastic. Thanks
Andy: It also seems worth mentioning that the roadblock many Midwestern photographers face (this phenomenon certainly isn't confined to Minnesota, and has been discussed on this forum before), may simply be an issue of inspiration. Finding beauty and inspiration in what we consider mundane is a challenge, no doubt. I certainly hope you realize that I don't look down on photographers who feel the need to go somewhere else to photograph - that's definitely not that point. Rather, I believe there's a richer experience involved in meaningful work done at a place that can be returned to on a frequent basis - for both photographer and viewer. Are there places that inspire me more than Banning State Park? Absolutely. But at this point in my life, they aren't accessible enough that I can create the type of work I want to in those places. Some of this will change in time, but you get the point. It's nice to hear that you also are able to find a place close to home that you can access readily. Are there other places in Michigan that you can access on a semi frequent basis? I would argue that finding inspiration is a process requiring time, effort and energy. I know it was for me with this project.