This black and white photograph is one of thousands I’ve taken at 44 Farms, near Cameron, Texas. The land has been in Bob McClaren’s family for over a century, now transformed into a premier Angus breeding ranch. Their beef is widely available—both online and in select restaurants across Texas and Louisiana.
A Moment of Stillness and Contrast
On this particular evening, I found myself on a hill not far from the ranch’s main buildings. The sun, low in the western sky, cast a golden rake of light across the landscape—illuminating a solitary tree and catching the rising moon above the eastern horizon.
Modern Tools for a Classic Look
In the era of film, I would have used a single red filter to darken the sky. But with today’s digital processing, I could adjust individual color channels—deepening the sky’s tone while lightening the grassy foreground, creating a dramatic grayscale contrast.
Exhibition Recognition
This image was selected by juror Susan Burnstine for inclusion in the 2025 “Shades of Black & White” exhibition at the SE Center for Photography Virtual Gallery in Greenville, SC.
Available in a Limited Edition of 15, with 2 Artist Proofs.
