Most people bypass, or overlook, a lot of interesting shapes, textures, and objects in the process of capturing the obligatory big shots. In most cases, I’ve learned to start as far back from a subject as possible and then work into the scene—eventually to the smallest of details. Another way of looking at it: Approach a subject as though you were going to do a coffee table book on the subject. That will get your head on straight! Get the big stuff we are initially programmed to capture, then start looking for different views, angles and tight subject matter.

I think of most of these types of images as a team effort between man and Mother Nature. They are not really macro images, but they can tell a story. Hooks and pegs were put in place countless years ago by a wrangler with a specific purpose—and they are being used by wranglers and cowboys of today. Wood and timber rot and split. Doors sag, wood bows, and steel rusts. Okay, they might not be for everyone, but certainly capture my attention.

These were all photographed on working ranches and farms around Jackson Hole in the past week or so. Most of the barns in Grand Teton National Park have been stripped of the working tools, harnesses, and so forth, but still offer opportunities to capture texture and early craftsmanship.

All images on this page were captured with a Nikon D800 and a variety of Nikon lenses. As I look at the small grouping above, I’d love to go back and light paint almost every one of them! MJ

Please Note: All of the images on this page are fully copyrighted with the US Copyright Office.  ©2013 Mike R. Jackson – All Rights Reserved