Tom Woll Photography

Two Ends Of Time

2012-01-28T22:04:00.000-06:00

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I told the priest, don't count on any second coming

God got his ass kicked the first time he came down here slumming.

He had the balls to come, the gall to die and then forgive us.

No, I don't wonder why, I wonder what he thought it would get us.

~~Concrete Blonde

Winter Photos

2012-01-22T09:26:00.000-06:00

Finally got out to get some winter photos this weekend. Here are a couple and the previous post has one more from this weekend as well.

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Morning Light Through Trees

2012-01-21T13:19:00.000-06:00


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Like a ghost

Is the curtain

In the white light

Of the morning

Dancing

In the morning

Are you there? Are you there?

~Concrete Blonde

You're my best friend

2012-01-16T20:17:00.001-06:00


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Life is so long and my heart won't mend
You are my lover, you're my best friend
But this doesn't ever have to end

~~Lemonheads

Before Sunrise

2012-01-07T09:33:00.000-06:00

Farm Silhouette
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Sunrise Approaches
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Looking Ahead

2012-01-02T14:58:00.001-06:00

I guess this is what can be called the obligatory new year post. Looking back at 2011 & ahead to 2012 at the same time I can't help but to think that 2012 is shaping up to be a bit of a ride. I could go on about what new products and offerings will be finding their way to the light of day but honestly I don't have anything earth shattering planned that way. There always will be something new and changes in product is a given but as exciting as they are that isn't the most important aspect of photography and what I do.

I realized I have been becoming more of a technician with my photography in many cases. For 2012, I want to downplay the all the rules and numbers and focus on storytelling & evoking a feeling with my photography. I am going to go for a much simpler approach. Grab 1 or maybe 2 lenses, camera (duh), tripod extra batteries & memory cards and just shoot. Forgo the thought of “I need xyz lens for this shot”. Heck I may find that I have a lens or two I can part with, or conversely I may find that there is a lens or two I really want...umm I mean need.

Not to say that for portraits and paid shoots the technical aspect is all out the window, on the contrary those are where the technical aspects will be adhered to the most. I do however plan on doing more artistic photos with each shoot. My goal is to have one or two shots per session to be very artistic and break out from the norm. I have learned, this past year especially, that with any shoot people do like my more artistic shots to compliment the traditional portraits.

I also need to put myself into challenging situations with my work. Get out of my comfort zone & learn by doing. Sure there is a chance I'll completely bomb and something will go wrong. But I'll trust that I will get through it in some way shape or form. One thing is certain, there will be ups and downs, changes, happiness and unfortunately probably some sorrows thrown in on the ride. Time to hang on, hit the gas and go for the ride that is 2012.

Look Up, & Descend

2011-12-28T07:17:00.000-06:00

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A golden ray of light

Appeared between her eyes
She rose above the gathering crowd
The sky was dark and the weather was loud
She coalesced up in the cloud
~Descender by Lungfish

Merry Christmas

2011-12-21T11:28:00.001-06:00

I was going to wish everyone a happy non-denominational midwinter holiday but the heck with that. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year.

Abandoned Convent

2011-12-17T17:46:00.000-06:00


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Will the wind ever remember

The names it has blown in the past

And with his crutch, it’s old age, and it's wisdom

~Jimi Hendrix

Graveyard

2011-12-12T07:12:00.003-06:00

To me cemeteries are oddly calming.


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Time's still sleepin' in
The graveyard is weepin'
They're catching angels as they fall
~~P.S.Y by Butthole Surfers

2011-11-26T10:09:00.001-06:00

This is something much darker then what I normally do.

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Desolation

2011-11-25T21:23:00.001-06:00

This view struck me as being desolate and alone.

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Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T08:50:00.001-06:00

I hope everyone has a very happy and fun filled Thanksgiving.

Birth of An Image: "A Baby's Embrace"

2011-11-17T16:46:00.001-06:00

Recently I blogged about an image I created and gave some background how it came to be; you can check that out here if you are so inclined. I have another photo I recently took that I really like and wanted to share. It seems this is becoming a trend but I enjoy sharing background on images and hope you enjoy catching a peek behind the curtain so to speak. Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain does not apply here.

This photo was completely an unplanned and spur of the moment shot during a portrait session for a 2 month old little girl. At one point it was time to change the baby’s clothes and she was not too happy so her grandmother picked her up and began to walk with her. This, as we all know, will typically calm an infant. It did work and as you can see in the image she was getting comfortable and sleepy. I happened to look over and saw the baby snuggle into her grandmother’s shoulder and I lifted the camera and took this shot. I thought it would be a cool and unconventional photo as I pressed the shutter.

Once I came to the post production work on this image I knew I wanted a soft dreamy look and feel to this one. The light from a sunlight window falling on the two as the grandmother walked around calming the young child combined with the baby’s head laying on the shoulder feels very loving and calm. To reach the look and feeling I wanted from the image I softened the colors and added a hint of a sepia tone then added a texture to all but the little girl. I am happy to say that my customer was very happy with their photos and this one in particular, so happy they were excited to have me share this with you.

I call this image A Baby’s Embrace.

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Window Dressing at the Empire Mall

2011-11-10T07:21:00.002-06:00

I am honored to have one of my photos among the fantastic artwork on display at the Empire Mall in Sioux Falls. Art exhibits are being changed out every 6-8 weeks. Coordination and art sales is being handled by The Retreat at Pointer's Ridge. Check out the art in the windows of the former FYE store.

Click here to learn more and for directions to the mall.

Here is the piece I have on display & for sale, it is printed on canvas and ready to hang. When you purchase any or the artwork that is on display you are supporting local & regional independent artist.

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550 Car Free Parking

2011-11-06T07:26:00.000-06:00

Textures, lines & lighting in an alley.

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Journey Inside An Image

2011-10-21T19:04:00.002-05:00

Here is something I recently did, it isn’t just a photo but more of an art piece. This is a composite of a few images to get to the final piece. This particular image started with just a theme; Guardian Angels: A Devotion. As I thought about the theme I kept going back to the idea of being safe.

I wanted the final image to convey a sense of peace, beauty with an underlying tone that chaos could be or has been just around the corner. Water held the idea of calm while chaos and turmoil could break out at almost any moment. I have often heard life and life journey described as an ocean, sea, ships at sea and so on so my choice of a water scene just worked in my mind. The sunlight behind the clouds day I shot the sunset over the lake was breathtaking. It seemed that every minute there was a change in the scene and anyone who has been on a boat at sunset will be able to tell you it is a wonderful way to watch the day draw to a close. If you haven’t had the opportunity to do so I highly recommend it.

The face in the upper right side is the literal visualization of a Guardian Angel watching over us as we travel the sea of our lives. I was able to get a friend’s daughter as the angel model and she was great to work with. I took her photo outdoors so I could have natural sunlight and luckily the day I took her photo the sun was shining and there was enough breeze to blow her hair a little but not into a wild tangled mess. Believe it or not I took a total of 5 frames and quickly had my choice down to 2 shots. Once I began to work on the piece I easily knew which photo I wanted for the angelic face looking down and watching over things.

The bird flying is a sparrow which has meaning as well. At one point a friend of mine was in the hospital and I went for a visit. A sparrow landed on the outside window ledge and my friend said “It’s looking after me. Everyday around this time it lands there and looks in the window.” It wasn't until sometime later I heard the sparrow legend; they guide the souls of the deceased to the next life. I am not sure where the legend originated but it gave me chills.

Enough background here is the finished image, which is available in the Fine Art Store if you would like to own a print.

Waters Of Life

Falls light in Pink

2011-10-07T23:45:00.000-05:00

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The American Cancer Society lit up the Falls of the Big Sioux River pink for a sixth year tonight.

Look What I Saw

2011-09-06T16:33:00.002-05:00


Look What I Saw

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This is proof that you can find something interesting anywhere, all you have to do is really see what is around you.

Bicycle, bicycle, bicycle, I want to ride my bicycle

2011-09-05T08:21:00.000-05:00


Old Bicycles

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A couple old bikes. It always amazes me what you find in buildings on a farm.

Church Window

2011-08-20T08:48:00.000-05:00


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Church Window - a shot from a while back.

Something about this keeps me coming back to it.

Busy with updating lately

2011-08-12T08:44:00.001-05:00

It has been a while since I have sat down to update the blog with much more than some photos. One of the biggest things I have been working on has been the website update. I have moved the hosting to a new provider and the site seems to load faster and have a quicker response time. The look has been greatly updated and there is some tweaking to be done to get all the pages to have the same look and feel. I had to put the site up before everything had the same layout because my old hosting plan was expiring and I didn’t want to pay for two host. The new layout is a template style and since I really can’t get under the hood it will save me time but I need to go back and realign things to give all the pages beyond the front page the same layout. I should have that done soon enough. You can see the new site here.

From feedback I have gotten the new site is easier to navigate and find the information you are looking for. That makes me happy since that is exactly what I wanted. I still have lots of photos to retouch and a ton of shooting to do which also makes me happy. Keep your eyes open for even more exciting things.

Decaying Branch In Black & White

2011-07-31T12:20:00.001-05:00


Click for a larger View purchase this and other photos here.

Duck!

2011-07-18T19:48:00.000-05:00

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Honored & Humbled

2011-06-30T07:05:00.004-05:00

Last night I attended the artist reception at the Avera Prairie Center. The reception was a fun, educational and humbling experience. This reception was for the artist that have work on display for the Art of Healing exhibit as well as this years Avera Sculpture walk. When I arrived I was greeted by a small group of Avera employees with big smiles and was shown where the food and beverages were. I got to meet a few of the other artist with work on display as I mingled amongst the people. This was the first time I had a chance to see my photo in the center.

After about an hour Dr. Dave Kapaska gathered everyone together for quick speech. He talked about the artwork and how Avera believes in the healing power of art. He went on to talk about how in planning the Prairie Center patients and former patients were asked for their input. What they would like to see, what they wanted in the hospital and what inspired them. This was truly humbling. From what Dr Kapaska said and what I saw it seems that calming spaces with interesting textures, art and decor along with places for patients, families and friends to sit and talk quietly or just be alone were common. Little things like having stairs as well as elevators so when someone is having a good day or gets good news they can walk and leap down the stairs instead of riding the elevator. Throughout the evening I heard from more than one of the Avera staff that artwork that is fun, uplifting and thought provoking is not only appreciated by the patients but they tell the Doctors, nurses and staff this.

At one point I was asked what made me submit a piece to this exhibit. I can honestly say the main reason is that I wanted to make someone's day a little brighter for even a moment. Like most people I have known a close friends who have gone through cancer and other life threatening illnesses. Most have made it through through but some fought like hell and still lost. The ones that have made it have told me that its the little things that would get them through the day. It might be a painting in a hallway one day, a kind word from a stranger or a bird sitting outside their window the next. I feel honored and humbled to have the opportunity to play a small part in brightening someones day that needs a lift. If one person smiles because of a photo I took then that is a reward that cannot be measured.

If you want to see the amazing work you can go to the Prairie Center and check out the Community Digital Art Gallery as well as the sculpture walk. It is well worth it.