32 Comments

So true Ben, pausing to savor the melancholia of autumn during the “relentless march” is both poignant and crucial. I invite you to the original land of melancholia, midwest farmland in transition. Soybeans are golden only for a week before becoming dirt brown and corn, once garish green, turn a crispy, dull yellowish hue. But the trees take center stage, offsetting the impending harvest; orange, red, amber and magenta. Of course, black and white photography wouldn’t showcase any of it but that deep yearning for simpler times past remain.

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Hello Maureen,

Beautifully said! Your invitation brings a wonderful vision of the Midwest to mind, even if only in thought for now. Thank you so much for your comment and for stopping by.

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Beautiful images Benjamin - I agree wholeheartedly with your first line and autumn mornings. For me winter brings out these feelings and a type of nostalgia. It is as if time slows down, life slows down and everyone else picks up on it. The chilly mornings just make photography feel more like an art as opposed to just another thing on the list.

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Thanks, Richard!

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Beautiful photos and words.

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Hello Melinda, thank you so much!

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I found myself looking for the red slippers. ❤️ Substack is right.

I was moved by the photos, but I was first moved by the words.

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Thank you so much. I'm so glad it resonated with you.🙏

Take care, Benjamin

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Lovely musings, and brilliant images! I too feel something so vivid and sweet about the change of season into autumn. I also live in Northern California and although it’s not Vermont, I’m always amazed and stand in reverence to the vivid colors of the trees surrounding me. Every year camera in hand, I try to capture their astounding beauty, the crimson reds of the Japanese maples, and the bright yellows of the apricot trees in my yard. Yes, I feel called to slow down and be as present as possible for this time of year. The older I get the more important it is that I allow myself to have this experience fully, with my body mind and spirit; to let It feed my soul. ❤️✨

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Hi Jody, Thank you for the kind words! Spending quality time in nature during the season change is the ultimate way to slow down and feed the soul. Enjoy the season, and all the best! Benjamin

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Your writing is as lovely as your photos. Thank you for your beautiful sharing.

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Hello Amy, Too kind! Thank you for the nice note. All the best, Benjamin

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Stunning. Thank you for sharing.

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Hello Wendy! That is very kind of you to say. Thank you for stopping by and sending this note. All the best, Benjamin

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Always a fan or farm and rural photography, but this has a special place in my heart as I am from (and still reside in) NorCal! Your photographs and beautiful. Thank you for sharing!

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Hello Tracy, Thank you so much for the kind words. NorCal is a special place and I'm so pleased I am able to capture it in a way that represents it to the fullest. All the best! Benjamin

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Beautiful photos of nature juxtaposed against the man made utilitarian photos. Thank you for opening my heart with your writing as well.

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Hi Tina, Thank you so much for the kind words! I sincerely appreciate it

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What a pleasure to read your newsletter, Benjamin. An Oregonian now, I have fond memories of when I lived in California. Your photos for me are reminiscent of those many years ago —times when I was a child and my family took Sunday drives along country roads. Thank you for sharing.

sherdavidson.com

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Hi Sher! Thank you so much for the kind words. I am so happy to hear they resonate with your memories of living in California. Be well, and have a great weekend.

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Do you sell prints of your photos?

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Hi Carmen, Yes I do. Feel free to dm or email me anytime benjaminRfargen@gmail.com

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Nature is the only artist where the greatest ideas come from!

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So true!!!

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Love the mood and atmosphere of these images. Your ability to bring out the contrasts in black and white and emphasize the light is amazing!

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Thank you for the extreamly kind words. I apprciate it very much!

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Great pics. 👏

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Thanks so much!

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Love the first three photos Benjamin!

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Hello, Shital! Thank you so much for the kind words and the share!

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Great photographs, I love #2, #4 & #7.

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Thanks, Tom!

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