If there are, indeed, 256 souls in Owaneco, Illinois, the large majority of them live on the northeast side of highway 29, which separates a largely residential section from the historic village center. This older part is dominated by the large grain elevators that face the highway, and provide a visual and, perhaps, mental barrier between commuter’s houses and the largely abandoned village center to the southwest. Crossing the highway between these two sectors seems like more than a metaphor.
At sites around the world, pilgrims seek a greater connection to things larger than themselves. They go in some cases explicitly because they are following in a million footsteps. And this category is why I chose to make this Tunnel View image during the recent trip to Yosemite. I don’t think anyone seriously goes to the Ganges believing its waters will treat them distinctly from the billions of others who’ve abluted there. Likewise, few go on the Hajj to experience something unknown or unexpected. And thus I didn’t go to Tunnel View to make a photo I believed would be exceptional in any way.
Although I view myself mostly as a photographer of people by inclination, I would like to think I’m at least competent to capture the occasional landscape. And on this day, the drama of the sky and patchy light had me visualizing in black and white. That medium seems to emphasize the patterns and forms in such chiaroscuro conditions.
What is Style?
A lot of photography commentary contemplates the theme of achieving your own photographic style. The zenith for photography pundits is to have your style instantly recognizable owing to the uniqueness or consistency of presentation you’ve achieved. Boring.