PHOTOS TELL STORIES, record moments in time, preserve memories, prompt emotional reactions, convey messages and more.
My venture into photography began when I studied journalism in college with a photography class as part of the degree requirement. This was back in the day of film and darkrooms. Chemicals, water baths and contact sheets were part of a long process to get from photo snapped to photo printed.
During my twenties working as a small town newspaper reporter, I honed the craft of photography. I juggled interviews and note taking with shooting photos. Today’s reporters do the same unless they are employed by a metro newspaper with a staff photographer.
After a while, I got comfortable with the camera, confident in my abilities to shoot images to accompany hard news, features and other stories. Practice may not make perfect, but it certainly builds skills.
I’ve grown to love photography through the years, especially after acquiring a digital camera while freelancing for a Minnesota magazine. Digital unleashed the photo creative in me. I no longer had to worry about the cost of film or running out of film. So I took a lot more photos, tried new perspectives, began to see the world through an artistic lens. More often than not, I find myself thinking, oh, that would make a good photo.
But vision issues are now affecting and limiting my photography. My eyes are misaligned, meaning my brain works hard (even with prism-heavy prescription eyeglasses) to see. It’s exhausting. I do my best. Yet it’s challenging sometimes to tell if an image is sharp. I can feel the strain on my eyes when I use my camera for an extended time and when I process images on my computer.
Still, I persist. Until I either have another bilateral strabismus eye surgery or try a different (and expensive) prescription, this is the way it is. At least I can see. I manage. I can still create with my 35mm Canon EOS 60D.
Last Saturday I did the longest photo shoot I’ve done in several years. I took hundreds of images during six hours at the Rice County Steam & Gas Engines Fall Show. It’s a fun event to document with so much happening and so many people attending. I don’t want to stop doing what I love.
My biggest challenges in covering the event came in dodging golf carts that swarmed the grounds and in avoiding dust from some of the farming demonstrations. Cameras and dirt are not friends. I also always had to be cognizant of unintentional photo bombing by people and those pesky (but necessary for some to get around) golf carts.
I’ve already shared many show photos with you in an overall post about the event and in a second focusing on art. Today I bring you a hodge-podge of more favorites, with an explanation in the captions of why I like the images. Enjoy!
© Copyright 2025 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
I am sorry to hear of your vision problems. I have them too. In my case I guess it comes with my age. But you are doing a great job with your photos and blog! Never quit. I really look forward to your posts. Thanks
Thank you, Danny, for your kind words. I was born with misaligned eyes and had surgery at age four to realign them. Now, some sixty-plus years later, I needed a second surgery, which I had in January 2024. That surgery did not work, as is the case 10-20 percent of the time. I could have a third surgery or try neurolens glasses. Right now I haven’t decided what to do.
I thought of you this evening Audrey, as I turned on the TV and there was a national tractor driving contest on the BBC. I used to go to County shows which have beautifully turned out shire horses, and there are still ploughing contests using them. I much prefer the original horsepower as a spectator, but I’m not a farmer’s daughter, so don’t have your memories of vintage machines. Thanks for letting me visit your show.
Happy to take you here, Judith. My memories do not stretch back to horse power days. But the old tractors and some of the other farm equipment and operations are from my past.
I’ve always loved the pictures that you take and share with us. this is such a gift that you have, for seeing and knowing just what is worth capturing with your camera. having followed you for a while, I know that you continue to struggle with some of the challenges that you deal with and work so hard to overcome and adapt to. my hope is for relief and resolution for you. this has to be so very exhausting and frustrating for you, and I continue to wish for better days ahead.
Thank you, Beth, for appreciating my work and for recognizing the challenges I face. I got some more info today to help me decide on the best option for dealing with my ongoing vision issues.
Thanks for sharing your insights to each photo. I like to hear your perspective. The “Joyful Moment” photo is so great!
Glad you enjoyed my pix, Valerie.
The 60D has excellent autofocus. These images are wonderful, sharp, and convey your story. These days if I am not shooting autofocus mode, I shoot manually using hyper-focal distance at a given aperture of f/8 – f/11. It works. I don’t have to think about focusing. There are many third party manual focus lenses you can use on your 60D….. and they don’t cost an arm and a leg.
Thanks for your feedback and the lens info, Keith.
Your photos are always amazing, capturing things that many would miss . I love your hodge podge post— those are wonderful examples of America at its best. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, my friend.
This event looks like a lot of fun. It reminds me of the Prairie Village during its Jamboree days. Lots of old farm equipment and museums. I bet you and Randy would both find something to entertain you at that event.
Prairie Village definitely sounds like a place/event we would enjoy. Where is this located?
Madison South Dakota – Here’s a link to their website
https://www.prairievillage.org
Thank you so much. I will check it out.