Partnering with Chevrolet

An Adventure in a 2014 Camaro SS Convertible!

I am very excited to partner with Chevrolet! As a photographer I have a need to travel and explore. Those who regularly follow my adventures know I also like to drive. That is why I thought a three week adventure in a Camaro would be a good idea. Makes sense, right? ;-)

Chevrolet, actually the great people behind the brand, loved my idea! They responded by handing over the keys to a 2014 Camaro SS Convertible for use during my adventure. Chevrolet is also paying for my travel expenses during this amazing adventure. I have strict instructions to get out there and explore! So, for three weeks starting October 3, 2013 I will be let loose with a brand new Camaro Convertible.

How great is that!?! It is, from my vantage point, awesome! This adventure will no doubt become a highlight on my journey in photography.

I will share my adventure and photography as a Google Glass Explorer. My entry into the Explorer Program read like this:

#ifihadglass  I would take my friends, first hand, on my journey in photography. I would show them where I was shooting and how I got the shot. I would, no doubt, use Glass to get me there in the first place. ;-)

Thanks to Chevrolet I will be exploring with Google Glass just as I had imagined.

I invite you to follow along as we traverse many of the western states and explore several national parks along the way.

Facebook
Aaron Fuhrman
Chevrolet

Instagram
Aaron Fuhrman
Chevrolet

Twitter
Aaron Fuhrman
Chevrolet

Google+
Aaron Fuhrman
Chevrolet

The map below is the proposed route for our adventure. We are free to explore as we please and will follow this route providing weather conditions do not call for a detour. Link to map: Camaro Adventure

Camaro Adventure

'Sunset Over The Bend' ~ Page, AZ

Post by Aaron Fuhrman Photography.

The Healing Power of Art

Better than an Apple a Day

Recently six of my photographs were chosen by Boone Hospital Center in Columbia, MO to join works by many other artist in what can only be described as a beautiful collection of art. Seriously, you should visit the hospital to view their collection of artwork. It beats visiting for any other reason!

As you enter the hospital from the parking garage you are immediately greeted by artwork. Take the elevator down to the first floor, the main entrance to the newest patient tower, and you walk through a bright hallway lined with windows on one side and a gallery of framed art on the other. These are not small pieces of mass manufactured splashes of color. No, these are large artworks which are professionally framed and matted, by artist who have poured their hearts into the works. They are gorgeous!

After making your way down this hall you enter a large open area and your eye is drawn to the artwork placed behind the reception area. It doesn't stop there and it doesn't repeat. That's right, you can walk through every hall, visit every patient room and never see the same artwork twice!

Why is art such a major part of the hospital?

The short and simply answer is artwork helps in the healing process. Research has shown that artwork improves the mindset of not only patients, but visiting family, friends and the staff.

Which artwork helps the most?

Leading the charge is landscape and nature photography. Why? First of all photography provides a view to a real place or scene. Second, nature and landscapes are soothing. The combination of the two proves to be the most beneficial.

Can artwork do the same for you at home?

Yes. Yes it can! You've heard the saying "An apple a day keeps the doctor away", right? Well, artwork, as it turns out, trumps that.

While you may not have room, or the budget, for an MRI machine you can have artwork. And your artwork may help prevent the need to visit the hospital at all, sorry Boone Hospital Center.

Chosen by a board of healthcare professionals.

Here are the six photographs of mine which were chosen to join Boone Hospital Center's healing collection of art.

Missouri River Rays

Cinematic Skies

Swept Away

Spring Reflections

Waves Of Grain

Field Of Dreams

Interested in artwork for your home?

If you are in the market for artwork, large or small, we can meet your budget. Your choices start with gorgeous metallic paper prints which grab light and make the finished artwork appear to glow. You can chose from a selection of frames and mats or order a print and have it custom framed yourself.

If you really want to make a statement ask about our gallery-ready aluminum. This stunning printing process comes in a high gloss finish as durable as your cars finish and framed to edge, on the back, in anodized aluminum.

Artwork can be custom ordered by emailing Amy Fuhrman to get started. Prints can also be ordered online in my Portfolio.

Machine Falls

Machine Falls, a photo by Aaron Fuhrman on Flickr.

On a recent road trip through Tennessee I discovered this outstanding waterfall. The trail is a not too difficult with exception to the last nearly vertical walk on rough 'stairs'. Even then it is just a matter of taking it easy.

Jump over to my Flickr account where I have this location tagged. I highly recommend searching this waterfall out.

There was also a second fall at this location that I did not have the time to visit. I would make sure you have the time to really explore the area. Look for Short Springs State Natural Area.

Happy waterfall hunting!

Roads, Where We're Going We Need Roads

The title is inspired from one of my favorite movies. My Dad took me when I was 10 and I can still remember the theater, some of the friends who were with us and explaining time travel to my Dad after the movie. I was a pretty smart 10 year old! You know which movie, right?

Roads, to me, are part of exploration. When you set out to see the world there should be no other option. Flying gets you to the destination, but roads. . .roads are part of the travel experience.

I love photographing the roads I travel. I take the opportunity to pull over, look both ways and dart out into the road to capture the lines, the scenery these lines take you into and the feelings evoked when looking at the photograph later.

So, here are a few of my roads. They're all out there for you to discover as well.

Pachyderm Sunset

Arriving at just the right time at Elephant Rocks State Park in Missouri I ran, camera in hand, through the trails to the top of the large granite rocks. As the sun was sinking I frantically setup my tripod to capture the amazing scene in front of me.

STL Skies

I discovered today that my photo 'STL Skies' made it into explore on Flickr two days ago. I wish there was a notification when this happens. Not that it changes much, but it would be nice to know right away.





In any case it was nice to have another image make it into explore. Guess I gotta get out there and shoot some more and try again.

In the STL

Last night my plans fell through while I was close to St. Louis. Of course if you are always prepared a change in plans isn't always a bad thing. Well, I was prepared in that I had my camera with me to venture out on the Eads Bridge and photograph the St. Louis skyline. However, I was not prepared for the bitter cold. While I did have gloves and a coat I wasn't ready to walk on the ice covered walkway nor was I ready to be out for so long. Still, this is photography we're talking about so a little pain is always worth it.

The sky lit up quite nice as I was braving the ice. I couldn't run to the ideal location without catastrophic results and probably a hip surgery in my future. So, I fired off a few shots of the clouds and sunlight with the Arch in the composition. I'll process and share those later. For now I'd like to share two different photos from my ice capades trip out on the Eads Bridge.

The first is looking past the railing removing any element of the bridge and focusing on the skyline.




I like how clear this shot is and how nice the Arch stands out while still getting a look down the Mighty Mississippi. The reflections in the river add a lot to this capture as well.

Often times I like to stand back and show where a photo is taken, giving a little more context. In this next shot I wanted to capture elements of the bridge I was on and the path, which had a lot more ice on it the closer you get to St. Louis. Still, I wanted to capture some of this icy path, the traffic and still have the skyline in the composition. My lens isn't wide enough to compose the shot I really would have liked. In the end all of the elements are there.




So, which image grabs you? Do you like the clean skyline looking down the river or do you like the included elements of the bridge?

Top 12 Of 2012

The title says it all so I'll jump right in with my top 12 of 2012. . .


 1.


 2.


 3.


 4.


 5.


 6.


 7.


 8.


 9.


 10.


 11.


 12.

66 West

This photograph was taken on the old Chain Of Rocks bridge in St. Louis, MO. Highway 66 once crossed this bridge which is now used as a pedestrian bridge. A visit here is like a walk through the past with great views of the Mississippi River and the natural rock formation for which the bridge is named after. Also at this location are two water intake towers built in the late 1800's and early 1900's.

Time Flies

This photograph was taken at the old Missouri State Penitentiary. My brother-in-law and I spent five hours capturing some great images of this Missouri location. The history here is as interesting as the light that finds it's way into confined places.

A New Start

As 2012 wraps up I finish work on an updated responsive website. As part of my new start I plan to use my blog much more for my photography and some great projects that are in the works.

This post is mainly a test to get my feet wet and see how I like my simplified blog look. More on the website and projects later. Until then enjoy the video below featuring my photography in Missouri.

This Years Journey In Photography

This year has played a big part in my journey in photography. I've long had a passion for photography and this year that passion was accelerated as I shifted my focus from other interests.

Interestingly enough the year began as I closed out a bad experience centered around my photography. However, once that was put behind me I was free to pursue much more interesting and fun work that allowed me to grow by leaps and bounds.

In February of this year Missouri was blanketed with some 22" of snow. It was great! You would think that a photographer would record this "Epic Storm" with his camera, right? Well, you would be wrong. At least when it comes to this photographer. What was I thinking? Lesson learned, capture the big events. More on that later. . .but, I did take this great photo of 'My Friend Robin' in February.

The Robin started off a small obsession for birds this year.

With that out of the way let's move on with our journey, shall we? In April of this year I made a spur of the moment trip to the Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park where I took the photo below.

'Malcolm's View' is a great one as he sits atop the Missouri River Overlook gazing over downtown St. Louis. This photo was later voted in as the profile photo for the VisitMO Facebook page. I thought that was a cool honor.

April was a turbulent month with tornadoes popping up everywhere. St. Louis was included with a direct hit on Lambert Airport and the surrounding homes and businesses. Did I capture any of this? No. But, I was keeping a close eye on the weather. Even on the day the tornado struck St. Louis I photographed the same storm system as it passed near my home.

South of this location the storm system pounded the area with hail. The Discovery Channels Storm Chasers were on the trail of this storm. I noticed several in the area as they chased.

Only a few days after capturing the menacing storm on it's way to St. Louis I captured this 'Rainbow Cloud' standing in the same location. This image came about because of my oldest daughter who pointed out the rainbow from our backyard. I left the house to search out a location in such a rush I didn't take the time to put on my shoes.

I ended April at Shelbyfest in Hermann, MO. Shelbyfest is a great annual event for car enthusiast. My favorite photo from the event was taken after my son spotted his favorite car and the owner of that car invited him to climb in the drivers seat.

I think Kyle may be a lifelong Mustang fan now. As a lifelong fan of the Camaro it pains me to say that, but I'd still go for a cruise in his favorite car.

In May my wife, Amy, and I visited New York. We met with friends, settled some business and enjoyed our stay at the Marriott in Brooklyn. On our last day in Brooklyn I woke up at 5:30am and made my way to the Brooklyn Bridge where I took the following photo.

While I took many photographs in New York my 'Morning Commute' photo emerged as the photo of the trip. The lone pedestrian using this iconic landmark as his daily commute to work struck a cord with family, friends and many others.

Overall May was a calm month in relation to weather. However, it would end with one of the deadliest tornadoes in 60 years. On the day this deadly tornado would strike I was photographing lightning. I was unaware the storm system providing me this great light show had dropped an F5 tornado on Joplin, MO.

I stood patiently with my camera focused on the McDonald's billboard waiting for the the perfect strike of lighting to ad a little punch to the "Sip this." copy. Then. . .there it was, click. . .I nailed it!

Shortly after capturing the photograph above I would return home and hear the reports on The Weather Channel about the tornado that struck Joplin. For whatever reason this really impacted me. I convinced my brother-in-law that we needed to travel to Joplin and photograph the damage the tornado had left behind. We left my house at midnight and arrived in Joplin early in the morning. Below is the scene the sunrise revealed that morning.

This photograph, out of all that I took in Joplin, would become the storyteller. This one photograph has had the largest impact on me. It affected me emotionally as I exchanged messages with friends and family members of those in Joplin over the few weeks that followed. It went viral on the internet and drove over a million views to my Flickr account. It led the ABC World News in the days that followed the tornado. This time I captured the big event.

Popular Science Magazine asked me to return to Joplin in early December to take a photograph from this same location. That image, along with the one above, will appear in the February 2012 issue of the magazine.

Much of my year was dedicated to the beauty of the State I live in. I spent many hours in my car driving to locations in the Show Me State or chasing down a sunset. I found my adventures to be close to home and far from ordinary. I have too many of these to share, so I'll just pull up my personal favorites and share with you with the beauty I found all around me this year.

Missouri River Rays - Herman, MO

Field Of Dreams - Missouri

The One - Missouri

Pachyderm Sunset - Elephant Rocks State Park

Union Station - St. Louis, MO

Pine Lake - Missouri

Shut-In - Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park

Missouri Capitol - Jefferson City, MO

Painted Sky - Missouri

The last image I will share is a composite I recently created from my photograph of the moon, my photograph of silhouetted trees and stars created in Photoshop. I enjoy both the process of creating these works and viewing them. While they stretch outside the realm of possibility I believe that is the fun of the image, to create something you would like to see in person. I suspect I will explore composites further in 2012.

Lunar Sunset

I greatly enjoyed my year focused on photography and I hope you enjoyed viewing the photographs that resulted. I look forward to this continued journey into 2012 and beyond and I hope you will join me on the way. You can connect with me on Facebook, Twitter and Google+. You can view more of my photography on Flickr.

As always feel free to share with your friends and family.