Landscapes, prairie, photographer's passion
Adam Sacasa
Issue date: 2/11/09 Section: The Edge
Armed with a camera and creativity, Bruce Morton shoots photographs of things that might otherwise go unnoticed. The photographer captured the landscapes of his hometown, Bowen, Ill., in his exhibition "Prairiescapes" at New Copperfield's on the Square held this past Saturday.
"One critical thing is learn to see the light," Morton said. "That's what a lot of my photographs really rely on, any kind of art really. The lighting is so important." Morton's variety of photographs on display find small details on large prints while others showcase vast, open fields.
Before switching to photography, Morton started college as a mathematics major. "I always enjoyed taking pictures so I enrolled in a couple of photography classes. Ended up changing my major and I enjoyed it ever since," Morton said.
After getting a bachelor's degree in science at Southern Illinois University and a master's of fine arts degree at Arizona State University, Morton headed to Great Britain as a visiting artist.
Now back in Arizona, landscapes weren't only a one-dimensional aspect of Morton's life. He joined a landscaping business and pursued it for 25 years.
"Instead of photographing landscapes, I was creating landscapes. I still had the passion but I had to make a living," Morton said.
The heat and the rapidly expanding city of Phoenix were too much. He decided to move back home to Bowen and its small town atmosphere.
"My grandparents' home became available, so I bought that and I'm happy as ever," Morton said.
Around Bowen and elsewhere, Morton still looks for that spark of inspiration. Driving around the small town's roads, his eyes are always searching. It could be anything from a snow bank off the side of the road to a field of flowers in the setting sun.
"It's almost medicinal to me, so if I'm ever feeling down, not in a good mood or something, I go out and take pictures and I'm a lot happier," Morton said. "Pushing that button is a nice release."
Morton's next exhibition, "Lost Homes," will feature large black and white photographs at Sullivan Taylor Coffee House. It opens March 6 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
"One critical thing is learn to see the light," Morton said. "That's what a lot of my photographs really rely on, any kind of art really. The lighting is so important." Morton's variety of photographs on display find small details on large prints while others showcase vast, open fields.
Before switching to photography, Morton started college as a mathematics major. "I always enjoyed taking pictures so I enrolled in a couple of photography classes. Ended up changing my major and I enjoyed it ever since," Morton said.
After getting a bachelor's degree in science at Southern Illinois University and a master's of fine arts degree at Arizona State University, Morton headed to Great Britain as a visiting artist.
Now back in Arizona, landscapes weren't only a one-dimensional aspect of Morton's life. He joined a landscaping business and pursued it for 25 years.
"Instead of photographing landscapes, I was creating landscapes. I still had the passion but I had to make a living," Morton said.
The heat and the rapidly expanding city of Phoenix were too much. He decided to move back home to Bowen and its small town atmosphere.
"My grandparents' home became available, so I bought that and I'm happy as ever," Morton said.
Around Bowen and elsewhere, Morton still looks for that spark of inspiration. Driving around the small town's roads, his eyes are always searching. It could be anything from a snow bank off the side of the road to a field of flowers in the setting sun.
"It's almost medicinal to me, so if I'm ever feeling down, not in a good mood or something, I go out and take pictures and I'm a lot happier," Morton said. "Pushing that button is a nice release."
Morton's next exhibition, "Lost Homes," will feature large black and white photographs at Sullivan Taylor Coffee House. It opens March 6 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
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