I’m not much of a cook, but most of my family members are great chefs

I created this image in the studio, using Balcar strobe lighting. The green background symbolizing the life of the sage plant.

The transition from life to death.

Treasure Chest was photographed in front of an antique store, and recomposed in the studio.

Have you ever had an Imaginary Friend?

My image is inspired by writers with their fountain pens.

These chives grow along side of my brick barn. Every spring I wonder if the doctor who had the building & barn built, in 1910, planted these chives along side the barn.

I picked the chives and made an arrangement on a mat board. And photographed it as the sun was shining through the window.

Immersed was created using an old image, and new ideas.

I like photographing barns in the spring, on a Sunday when most farmers are in church. And I don’t bother them with their daily chores.

I have taken many photos over my lifetime. I enjoy being out of the studio some days when it is a relaxing Sunday morning when everything comes together, with no distractions. I get chills every time I create a great image.

Love is dedicated to my wife, we have been married for 44 Years.

Wishing everyone a Happy Valentine’s Day, Wednesday February 14.

I remember this Ice House on 95th Street, in Oak Lawn.Growing up near Oak Lawn as a child. My parents, myself and my siblings would head over to the Ice House, with the station wagon completely packed. All the necessary items for a cook out, with my relatives at Maple Lake. We had 2-3 coolers for all the food, pop, and cold beer. So this was our last stop before getting to the Lake, and picking out our picnic area for 20-30 people.

The Creation of Art, is a feeling & emotional connection I have to express my creative vision.

“Don’s Work is Vibrant and Inspiring with subjects ranging from rural life to Artful Interpretations of everyday objects.” Crete Art Gallery.

If you can Believe It, you can Achieve it- Don Sala.

Lace-Like Leaves was created in the studio, using leaves that I selected to try something unusual. My visualization of the leaves came through at the end. These are Catalpa leaves on Catalpa Street, In Beecher.

Nature can destroy man made objects, and the beauty I see In the destruction.

Work Created On Catalpa Street.

Finding Interesting cracks in the pavement inspired me to create visual exciting images.

The back story- The red and blue colors is a symbol of female and male.

Inspired by Covid, walking my dog without a mask on, by myself..

Splitting Headache was created as the sun was shinning through the leaves, I never saw it happen again.

My parents would always say, “use your imagination”. Thanks Mom

Each spring I'm captivated by the beauty of plants that have survived over the winter, with temperatures of -20 degrees.

The hard shadows of summer gave me the spark to create something unusual.

I photographed the Ruby Red Slippers for a full page advertising, for a Chicago Hospital. The hospital is across the street from Oz Park. I rented the slippers from a museum in Minnesota. Yes I returned them!

Prints Of The Ruby Slippers Are Not For Sale! Copyright Issues.

I was digging around our 113 year old building, when I dug up a grave marker with the name Chester on the stone. Was Chester a dog, cat, rabbit or bird from the Miley family that owned the home? I created a quick photo shot, with the grave marker, and buried it where it was dug up.

Shot on Armitage EL stop in Chicago.

1984

These shots was recreated in the studio using professional strobe lights. This was the old 4x5 polaroid film that was sharp. Not like the new Polaroid film, that seems out of focus. If you look at the right lower image you will see a partial face. Self Portrait.

I try to expand my style, by not being confined to a typical type of Image. Inspiration comes at me from every direction. When I start creating, does the finished image, take my breath away? If it does I print it. If not I table it for a while.

The effects of a dry spring.

The hot temperatures on Earth in 2023, exceeded previous record high temperatures. WHATS NEXT?

This is a study of trees in winter & and summer.

I Shot this early in the morning , before the sun melted the frost.

This photograph was taken at a brick building in Beecher. I first thought about using face masks, but when I saw this fire escape with bright yellow steps, I new that this was something different.

The Smell Of Cheese, Tomatoes, Peppers, & Bread From The Oven.

I’m Hungry, Lets Eat.

The carnival comes to Beecher in July. I composed a pictures of these rides, before they were set up.

I am still a little nervous about these rides. It must be something about not being able to control where I'm going. 

I have always been fascinated by what I could achieve. Creating for me is an excitement I feel. I’m motivated by color, and visualization of objects.

All these abstract images were created by using a camera.

All Mixed Up Show

"Entwined" photograph is currently on exhibit at Frankfort Art Gallery. Final day of the exhibition is September 22, 2024.

The milkweed plant was shot in my studio, using studio strobe lights. After the shoot the seeds were collected, and planted along the highway. The milky substance is vital for the Monarch Butterfly.

Street Objects was created by picking up metal objects that had fallen off of vehicles, while I was walking my dog. And I created an inspirational photo shoot in the studio. I recycled all the metal objects, afterwards.

When I saw the tool box in my office, I created an interesting composition.

Spring Plant was photographed just before sunset.

I spotted this unusual cultivator in town, that I had to photograph.

The trick is trying to keep the foreground and background clear.

The lighting looked great. When I photographed it, I knew it was a keeper.

I planted this red pepper plant, talk about Spicy!

These images were shot in color and converted to black & white images. Notice how there grass turns to white, and the blue sky turns black.

Chionophobia- An intense Fear Off Snow.

CrossOver - Sometimes Change Can Be Challenging.

The Stoven Barn was dismantled board by board, and relocated to a new location.

I spotted this viaduct, while bike riding near the University of Chicago.The painters were just finishing up when I made this photograph.

Yes, shot with 120 b&W film. (Plus X)

I’m always challenging myself through my photography, by taking chances, and by doing something unexpected, and different.

These images came about, by extraction of lines and movement from images of different planes. Nothing is added, but I extract the images that I am able to visualize.

I found the nest, that had fallen from the tree. I recreated the shot in our barn, and took the picture when the sunlight was shining through the windows.

Steel bridge over Kankakee River. The bridge is on the Illinois & Indiana boarder.

Cline Ave. Bridge In Indiana.

A Blue Moon is the 2nd full moon in a month.

The Last Blue Moon did occur August 19, 2023 at 2:26 pm ET.

The next Blue Moon takes place 31 May 2026.

On rare occasions, tiny particles in the air, typically of smoke or dust can scatter away red wave length of light, causing the Moon to appear blue, Hence Blue Moon. (NASA)

This Netsuke is only about 1 1/2” Tall.

I Photographed it with an 8x10 camera with a 4x5 back.The film was 4x5 Kodak Ektachrome 50. I remember it took full bellows and the bellows factor was about 3 stops. Photographed with strobe lighting. I think the end result was used as a Christmas Card.

The client was Mr. Kroch from Kroch's & Brentano's Book Store, In Chicago. At that time it was the world's largest bookstore.

Yes! the red object in the background was my sons toy plastic ball.

THIS IMAGE IS NOT FOR SALE. The Netsuke is in a Chicago Museum.

I shot this as I was hiking along the Kankakee River. Notice how calming this photograph is. No wind no sounds!

Protecting Nature In Illinois was photographed in the studio using simple items I found on a nature hike.

This B&W image was composed in the the studio and using Balcar strobe lights. The 2 1/4” X 2 3/4 “ film was plus X, and developed with HC 110. The b&w negative was scanned, and printed on an Epson 13x19 fine art printer.

Sepia was photographed using a Canon digital camera, and reworked in the studio, and printed on an Epson fine art printer.

I look at each image differently. Sometimes color can work, other times I like Black & White. I think it’s more of a personal feeling.

This photograph was taken in the fall, as the sun was going down. The doors had some patching, it's the shape of an arrow pointing up, How Cool!

    Aka. "Corn Cribs"-(Where corn was stored in the  walls to dry out}.

All Images ©Don Sala

Collecting Color is a Difficult Task for this Color Retriever .

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