David Ottenstein PhotographyDavid Ottenstein Photography

Amish farmhouse, central Pennsylvania

This photograph captures a typical scene in this quiet valley in central Pennsylvania. I produced it on a recent outing with Bill Coleman.

In recent years I have enjoyed photographing in central Pennsylvania with my good friend Bill Coleman. I return as often as I can to photograph Amish farmland with Bill in this enchanting valley.

Years ago, Bill was the portrait photographer serving State College, PA. He was also the photography advisor to the high school yearbook, and in that capacity became my mentor as I was grappling with my new hobby – photography. Bill gradually moved away from commercial portraiture and devoted himself full time to photographing a small community of Amish farmers. He’s been doing that for 35 years – and still producing wonderful photographs. He is especially interested in photographing Amish children, but his landscapes and studies of the physical world in which this community resides are stunning. Check out his website. I especially recommend the “New in 2009” and “New in 2008” sections.

The grazing cows reminded me of pastures in the Midwest, but the heavy sky and the ever-present mountains that define this valley gave an entirely different feel.

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