Dirty Work
The history of every nation is eventually written in the way in which it cares for its soil.
I've been in California shooting an assignment for the Natural Resources Conservation Service for the past few weeks. It is one of those jobs where you can be sick, sunburned, suffering from allergies, constantly brushing ticks off your body, working 18-hour days, and yet still be blissfully happy. I'm still editing a lot of images, so I won't write much here, but I'll share a few photos and some links.
A few links:
I've written a little about the work I've done with the NRCS in Texas here.Some background on the issues that led to the creation of the Soil Conservation Service and the disastrous consequences of using the land poorly: American Experience, Surviving the Dustbowl
Conserving the Plains: The Soil Conservation Service in the Great Plains
Biography of Hugh Hammond Bennett the father of soil conservation and first chief of the Soil Conservation Service.
Photos:
12 Reader Comments
Joanne Seaberg
STUNNINGLY MOVING!
Troy Freund
Great work, Sir! Thanks for sharing them with us online!
The first two close-ups are real nice; I like the fellow leaning on the fence. What sort of wide-angle are your rocking?
Also very much like the last shot---the new growth and cracked earth.
Best wishes from Milwaukee,
Troy
Mark Meyer
Thanks Joanne!
Troy, the wide shots are mostly shot with the Nikon 14-24 f/2.8. It's a real gem if you like wide angle lenses. Thanks for the comment, I really appreciate it.
Rick Kinsey
I am always fascinated by big earth, big sky photographs like your middle picture. I'm left feeling something. Thanks for sharing.
Mauro
Hy Mark there's plenty to study here. Thanks for the effort.
For the record how much time do you spend in processing for each picture (average) ?
Mark Meyer
Mauro, in general less than a minute on each photo and I'll often sync the settings among similar photos. Basically, I'm fixing color temperature and contrast. If I am going to make a print or client wants something special, I'll spend considerably more time.
David Shwatal
Nice work, Mark. Excellent selection of portraits, close-ups, landscapes. I appreciate the above ? & response about the wide lens. You really make the color 'happen' in those middle landscapes.
Leslie Dawn Knowles
Wonderful photographs - wish I could have a job like yours sometimes - thanks for sharing
Mark Stadsklev
You have really captured the feel of the place. I grew up in the mid-west and these images take me way back to what people call a simpler time. (not) Thanks for posting them.
Wayde Carroll
Love the photos Mark. Would love to see more sometime!
Nik
Fantastic images, the last image with the grass is top notch. I also love the brown barn contrasted against the sublime green grass..superb!
jamie
OMG - I LOVE LOVE LOVE these images.