Black Angus
Thursday, July 28, 2011 at 9:53AM 
Angus, Sioux County, Nebraska
Photographers who photograph the world at large all know that their photographs are found, not made, and that when “out in the field,” they must rely on quantities of luck and happenstance.
So it was one day in July of 1999 when wife Carol and I left Harrison, Nebraska, southbound on Nebraska highway 29. At maybe 55 mph and trolling for photographs, I turned my head left just in time to see these angus cattle in this lovely arrangement close to the road. I figured they’d certainly move by the time we got turned around, drove back, and set up the tripod, but I had to try. During our quick U-turn and cautious drive back, Carol pulled out the camera, changed lenses and took a light reading for me.
I’ve worked with cattle and know a bit about their behavior, so I figured these animals might be a bit spooky. Thus as we approached them, I slowed the truck to about pasture pickup speed, imagining them possibly familiar with slow moving vehicles. I pulled up quietly on the shoulder, got out, keeping the truck between me and them, quickly set up the tripod and photographed them across the hood.
To my delight, they paid scant attention to me, only a couple watching me with idle interest, and I was able to make several exposures before one got to its feet and wandered off, spoiling this grand composition.
Having this photograph in the bag (or more accurately, in the film cooler) and anticipating printing it, was a joy better than winning the lottery.
A note about the grass: This, like all my photographs, is a “straight” print. I dodged and burned in the darkroom to balance tones, etc., but there is no trickery here. 1999 was a drought year in western Nebraska and much of the Plains, and by July the landscape was white with dried prairie grass.
This image is from East of West, West of East: The Great Plains, a growing body of work that is to be a traveling exhibit and book.
Reader Comments (3)
Really interesting photographs--and nice website.
Drake - It was wonderful meeting you and learning more about photography and aviation. Thank you for seeing my work and showing me yours. I would love to talk with you more in the future.
Prof. This are one of the best B&W work i have ever seen ..It is really nice.