Although I’m dead tired the next day, there is a benefit to working past midnight now and then. When that happened a few nights ago, I was one of the fortunate folks who caught the beautiful Northern Lights display.
As I stood on my deck, watching the strange green glow dancing between the spruce trees in my back yard, I couldn’t help but think how lucky I was. Not only that my timing was perfect for Mother Nature’s artistry while most people were sleeping, but that I have friends who are masters at photographing this northern phenomenon.
I’ve gotten better at taking pictures through my years with the newspaper. I’ve learned the basics and I have a pretty nice camera. I’ve learned to never stand a subject directly in front of a window. I’ve learned that I should ask people to take a few steps away from the wall when taking a headand shoulders picture so the image doesn’t end up looking like a police mugshot. I’ve learned to move around to capture the scene from a number of different angles. And I’ve learned that the biggest trick is to just take lots and lots and lots of pictures.
But I don’t have the skill or equipment to capture the Northern Lights or the full moon or a bolt of lightning. I don’t have a huge telephoto lens to bring that far off merganser or moose up close for a magnificent look. I don’t know the settings to make the water roaring over a waterfall blur beautifully.
I am incredibly fortunate that North Shore photographers so generously share their talents. I wish there were a way to honor their contribution to the paper. Each year when the Cook County News-Herald enters the Minnesota Newspaper Association Better Newspaper Contest, I wish there were a category for “Best Reader Photography.”
There is no such award. Only staff photos are considered for the MNA awards. And it is a shame, because thanks to the folks that allow us to use their artwork, the Cook County News- Herald is able to share some stunning scenery, wonderful wildlife and amazing action such as bicycles in the Lutsen 99er or dogs and mushers in the Gunflint Mail Run.
So all our generous photographers receive is our undying gratitude— and some promotional support. We always provide photo credit sharing the photographer’s name and his or her webpage address if he or she has one. So if you see an image you’d like to purchase to hang on your wall, just check out the caption and contact the artist. If there is no website or email address, contact our office. We love it when someone stops by and says they would like a copy of a picture that we’ve published. We’re happy to put you in touch with our local shutterflies. We’re happy to do our part to get the exceptional work of these photographers into your hands.
And although we don’t have a plaque to hang on the wall in recognition of their contribution, I am grateful beyond measure to the folks that share their photos every week or who are ready at a moment’s notice to share a special shot.
Thank you to David R. Johnson, Paul Sundberg, Nace Hagemann, Kathleen Gray Anderson, Bruce Johnson, Dennis Chick, Sandy Updyke, David Brislance, Bryan Hansel, Stephan Hoglund, Rick Novitsky, Travis Novitsky, Patrick Knight, Gary Siesennop, Don Davison, David Grinstead, Jessica Shold, Brenda and Scott Benson, and Erik W.L. Anderson.
There are others who have generously offered use of their photos and I apologize if I’ve left them out. That is the hazard of lists, I may have forgetten someone. But to everyone who has helped make the Cook County News-Herald look fabulous every week, thank you!
Taking pictures is
savoring life intensely,
every hundredth of a
second.
Marc Riboud
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