Guest artist John December’s HDR Milwaukee River

John December doesn’t seem to be afraid of night shooting, or of Midwestern frigid conditions. If you peruse his photographic notebook, a series of online photos showcases his work as he goes along (before the final chosen prints). There is a cold soltitude within the art. December loves architecture and urban landscapes and is skilled in the practice of HDR (High Dynamic Range) shooting. This method combines low-end tonal ranges with middle and high ones to produce a deep, almost 3D rendering of a scene.

December states: “I’m working to improve my photography, so I am revisiting many sites in Milwaukee I’ve already photographed with my previous cameras and experience. My method is to start at the mouth of the Milwaukee River and work north. I’m enjoying photographing scenes in the earlier twilight of winter. In methodically going upriver, I’m encountering the architecture, history and urban scenes of the city. The Milwaukee River has a rich visual appeal, and I enjoy exploring it through photography. My goal is to show the juxtaposition of the surprising elements of architecture, sculpture, sky, light, stone, metal and water that make up the views along the Riverwalk.”

I actually sought out December to contribute to our series as a fellow photographer. I find a strange warm feeling or inner peace while staring at the frozen water, the icy steel and concrete, and the unforgiving Wisconsin winter sky. For more of this photographer’s ongoing winter work, visit his Flickr account at www.flickr.com/photos/johndecember.