Wednesday, October 7, 2009





"Corn was unknown to the Europeans before they met the Indians. Indians gave them the seeds and taught them how to grow it. Today in the U.S.A., more farm land is used to grow corn (60 million acres) than any other grain. "

Every year this time in the Midwest for two or three weeks there is a frenzy of activity everywhere you look. All at once the fields are bursting with movement...from early morning to late in the evening many times up to midnight. A bond between the farmer and Nature has always existed...a very fine balance between a gut feeling and science.

When farmers take their corn to the massive grain silos and elevators to sell...their wages are paid according to the weight of the corn. High tech monitors are used to detect the moisture in the corn...the great the moisture...the greater the weight. The farmer is docked for high moisture content in order to approximate that actual weight of the corn being delivered. So the balancing act continues...does the farmer wait that extra week to let the corn dry more? What if it rains...he looses the bet.

A couple of weeks ago during a photo shoot...Zach and I were discussing this very issue. As we looked out over the fields while driving...it occurred to us that due to the intense competition of the Con Agras against the family farm...most of today's farmers are college graduates with a B/S. Farming has now become much more of a science than a gut feeling.

10 comments:

shabby girl said...

Oh, good Lord, Dan, you've done it again! Beautiful!
I especially love that first one!
I had no idea of the betting quality of the farmer! It makes sense now that you say it, but it's so precarious.
I don't know that I'd have the guts to do it.

The Lly Dilettante said...

I really like the first pic. Looks like it's a wood carving :)

Dan Felstead said...

Thanks Shabbygirl...your comments always provide a boost for me to keep going!

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Lly...Thanks, it is a high contrast and de-saturation of colors effect.

Dan

Sandy K. said...

I love the effect you've established here. Very moody; I think I like the atmosphere of the second one. Yes, we're bursting with fall fever, and the fields are alive with activity. The harvest is upon us. And I am glad.

Dan Felstead said...

Sandy thanks for the comment and thanks for stopping by.

Have a great weekend.

Dan

septembermom said...

The first picture is really great! You can feel the life in your pictures. Wonderful as always Dan!

Dan Felstead said...

Thanks Septembermom...It is interesting how different people feel about photos...it seems that the favorite picture was the first one...happens to be my least favorite and my favorite is the third one ....but that is what makes the world go round!

Dan

Heather said...

Sammy really likes your middle shot with the corn on the table, Dan. I was peeking in on your latest post when we were talking about your HDR photos, scrolling down and Sam caught sight of that one. ~thought you'd appreciate hearing that :)

Dan Felstead said...

SAM!!! Thank you for the comment...you made my day! That is "Indian Corn" on the table. Probably the same type of corn was on the table at that first Thanksgiving with the Pilgrims and the Indians.

Tell you mom that you are welcome to comment anytime you want!

Dan