Harvest

I never grew up in rural Kansas, but I LOVE harvest. I first photographed harvest while in Hays as a summer intern in 2001. We had to shoot harvest for several weeks solid and it became difficult. In fact, after my first harvest shoot in Hays, it took me a few years to want to photograph it again. But, this evening, I had the opportunity to hit the backroads of Ellis County and see the splendor of man's machenery and the glory of nature!


The first time I saw this sort of situation was when I was returning from Manhattan to Hays late one night. It was dry, so the combines were going full force in the fields along I-70. It didn't matter that it was after 2 a.m. They were going and going and going! I've wanted to photograph harvest at night for awhile, but haven't had the chance to do so — until tonight! Shooting in the dark is difficult, so I opted for the post-twilight light, soaking in a what was left of the blue sky.

I was delighted to see that the Pfannenstiels were running two combines. With the lights and the dust and stubble it kicked up, I almost felt like I was watching a science fiction B-movie ...