Think agriculture photography sounds dull? I did. But then I started researching  an article I’m currently writing on the topic for NANPA’s “Currents” magazine. What I have discovered is world of photography, with many top photographers committed to pushing their own creativity as they work to best capture what is, arguable, the most important industry on the planet.

It turns out that quite a bit of agricultural photography is dull — at least from a photographic standpoint. If you search the libraries of Grant Heilman Photography, Inc. and AGStockUSA, you will find tons of images that document very specific aspecst of the industry that I think you’ll find quite uninteresting — unless you happen to be keen on the topic.

Heilman and AGStockeUSA are two super stars in agricultural stock photography, and they are focused on meeting the specific demands of a unique market. (Who else is looking for “Holstein heifers about 10 months old” or “Frost on soybeans — 4 bean pod”?)

While some agricultural photography is dull, it turns out that some agricultural images are completely inspiring, either for the story they communicate or the graphic vision they share, or both. Nature photographers, landscape photographers and general stock shooters will be particularly interested in investigating the work of top agricultural photographers.

Dave Reede has been recording agriculture on the great farming planes of Manitoba, Canada, for more than two decades. Check out his web site or search through his collection on AGPix.com. Creative use of fisheye lenses and unique angles mark his work. He told me that it’s “hell” to lug around a 20-foot folding ladder in the fields, but that it pays off.

Richard Hamilton Smith has been in the agriculture game just as long, and more recently his work has taken on a decidedly fine-art aesthic. He uses motion to paint a seense of energetic movement, and he is not afraid to go soft with focusing to make us focus  more clearly carefully on his subjects.

Both photograhers have impressive collections of nature, lifestyle and outdoor images of all sorts. Both have a fondness for hard-working communities and a love of being outdoors. Both prove that one who assumes that one speciality of photogrphy holds less exciting possibilites than another is limiting his own chance to learn.

Dave Reede and Richard Hamiltion Smith have opened my eyes, and I’m gratefule. Check out thier work and see what you think.

Survey Asks. . .

Have any photographic specialties given you a big surprise, inspired your style  in unexpected ways?

Tags: Agricultural Photography, Currents, Dave Reede, David Reede, Inspiration, Landscape Photography, NANPA, Nature Photography, North American Nature Photographers Association, Photographic Specialities, Richard Hamiltion Smith, Stock Photography