Tabula Rasa Photography's Mission and Focus
Bill Hurst of Tabula Rasa Photography, in Baroda, MI, explores the beauty and character of Berrien Country such as its landscapes, orchards, vineyards, farmers and agriculture, Lake Michigan rural towns and people. Bill believes that this area, with its unique terrain, micro-climate, and the resulting bounty of its wide variety of agricultural produce is one of the most beautiful areas in the US, if not in the world.
His mission is to convey that beauty through realistic photographs that combine excellent technical characteristics - color or tonal balance, composition, sharpness, and use of light. If viewers respond to his images with greater appreciation for our unique surroundings in Berrien County, Bill will have succeeded in his mission.
Bill is interested in documenting agriculture and the character of the people who farm or live in our rural towns in Berrien County. Self-sufficiency, closeness and comfort with nature, risk-taking (among farmers), and a willingness to help neighbors are themes Bill wants to explore in more depth in future work.
Bill uses Photoshop to improve, but not falsify the image. Bill is always striving to improve his technique, and is now at a point where he is interested in sharing what he has learned over the last 1.5 years with other photographers through classes in Tabula Rasa Gallery in Baroda, MI and group shoots in our area. (Back to top)
Bill Hurst was born in New York City, and came to the Chicago area for graduate school. He has been a technology consultant in the role of a Program and Project Manager for the last 20 years, and is a certified Project Manager (PMP).
Growing up he admired great photography, and it has influenced his approach to his own work. The works of Cartier-Bresson, Smith, Lange, Evans, Vishniac, Kertesz, Strand, Karsh, Snow, Steichen, etc. provide inspiration. However, it was not until after he moved to Berrien County, starting in March 2010, that he changed from observer of photography to producing his own work. In the last 1.5 years, Bill has used photography to explore the beauty of Berrien Country. He concentrates on landscapes, orchards, vineyards, farmers and agriculture, Lake Michigan and the rural towns and people.
Shortly after purchasing his camera, he purchased and has learned Photoshop (there is always more to learn with this application), and since has attended classes at Calumet Photography on lighting, workflow and composition. Bill has also recently been exploring Web Development, using Dreamweaver, WordPress, CSS, e-Commerce plug-ins and other applications/techniques to display and sell his photography.
Bill uses a high-end Canon DSLR with Canon lenses and Photoshop to improve, but not falsify the image. From earliest photography, good technique has been used to improve quality, impact and in the end, the realism of the image. Bill is striving to improve his technique, and is now at a point where he is interested in sharing what he has learned over the last 1.5 years with other photographers through classes in Tabula Rasa Gallery in Baroda, MI. (Back to Top)
What's in a name? "Tabula Rasa"
Many people have asked Greta (my spouse and business partner in Tabula Rasa Gallery) what the name means. "Tabula rasa" is Latin for "blank slate", and has its origins in the philosphy of Thomas Locke. Locke believed that the human mind is at birth a "blank slate". and that rules for processing and knowledge are gained solely through sensory experience.
While this theory of epistimology is somewhat naive (apologies to the philosophers among you), the spirit of "tabula rasa" permeates our decision to create Tabula Rasa Gallery. For Greta and myself, this Gallery is an experiment - in learning to create art, sell art, local foods, promote local agriculture and merchandise. We are learning how to run this business, and promote our aims. We expect this process to be a multi-year effort. Wish us luck, and send us your ideas!!!! (Back to Top)