Ron Harris

I have taken several photography/camping trips, driving 6,000 miles through the heartland, from Illinois all the way to Oregon and back. A GPS real-time mapping system helped me take the back roads without getting lost, and wander among farms, dairies, and small, friendly towns - America at its best.

The wheat growing area in Washington State consists of rolling hills of loess soil blown in as dust from retreating glaciers 15,000 years ago. The soil is rich and deep, up to 100 feet thick in places, making it one of the most productive wheat growing areas in the world.

In Wisconsin, corn is grown in rich Antigo silt loam soil, which also originates from melting glacier waters. In hilly areas, strip farming of corn is done, helping to preserve the soil.

My main interest was in photographing the serpentine patterns created by strip farming and planting on hills. The fields must be found in the right state of cultivation. In the fall, the crops are cut and plowing begins, the exact timing depending on the weather. Arrive too early or too late and there are no patterns to photograph. Too often there are no clouds to add drama to the scene or it's raining. Many miles have to be driven out into the farming areas to find these scenes.

Ron Harris has been a university physics professor, an observational astronomy researcher, and the owner of an oil field service company. He attended two Ansel Adams' workshops, has published numerous articles, and teaches photography workshops. Ron photographs mostly in black and white, and his images include those of farm fields, Anasazi Indian ruins, western ghost towns, landscapes, botanicals, and cars.

Please call: (312) 266 - 2350 for prices of specific pieces.
Prices are print only unless otherwise indicated.