Artist Profile
By Donald J. Rommesclick the images to view larger versions. 
Drying Fish and Peat Fire"This large, open fireplace is in a modest-sized room in the center of an old farmhouse. The blackened rocks attest to its frequent use over time, and the drying fish, kettle, and baking wheat cake illustrate its utility. Not visible in this photograph are the portable racks for drying clothes, the crowded mantle , and the small cabinets nearby. A visitor to this busy room would leave with a better understanding of both the daily lives of its inhabitants and the vision of the photographer who, by consciously directing the viewer's attention, attempts to create order out of chaos." – Don Rommes
Iron Kettle and Peat Fire"In the central room of an old farmhouse, water in an iron kettle is heated over a peat fire and the smoke veils the details of cupboard and dishes. During the winter, animals were allowed inside this room, and the burning peat provided warmth for humans and cattle alike. The family slept together for warmth in a small compartment off to the left and smoke stained both lungs and walls before escaping through a designated hole in the roof." – Don Rommes
Green Door"Just off the central room of the farmhouse, a butter churn holds open the door to the storeroom. Inside, a solitary window looks over a lush field of grass in sunlight – the source of the green reflection on the door." – Don Rommes
Bottles on a Windowsill"It was the quality of light passing through the various bottles that attracted me to this windowsill. I imagine it was the same for those who arranged them here in the first place. More decoration than mere storage, form and color more than function, they offer a pleasing temptation for the eye to linger. I wanted to give the sense of glowing light in this photograph. However, it was actually quite dark in the room, so it took a few separate exposures and a bit of digital post-processing in PhotoShop to make the scene look "natural". In the completed image, it's fun to read the lettering on the various bottles to get a clue to location." – Don Rommes
Lantern and Mantle"While I loved the worn and colorful wallpaper, and the wonderful form of the lantern, this image is also a nod to Vermeer. Close to the North Sea, I too am creating an image in the soft natural light from a window, while observing the reflections in the convex blue glass of the lamp. Examine the image; there's the reflection of the window, the photographer with his tripod, a framed painting, and – looking very closely now (and with a bit of imagination) – the faint profile of a Girl with Pearl Earring." – Don Rommes
Dried Flowers and Lace"This window looks out from a somber room of faded wallpaper and worn chairs to a walkway that leads to the barn. I imagine that there was always a fair amount of foot traffic outside, and the lacy window covering provided some needed privacy. The pearly light created by the curtain offers a welcome contrast to the sooty interior – the perfect place for something pretty. In this little bouquet of dried flowers, I clearly see the hand of a woman at work." – Don Rommes
Italian Chapel"Now one of the most visited sites in Orkney, this chapel was built by Italian prisoners during the Second World War. The building is comprised of two Quonset huts placed end to end. The "vaulted" ceiling, the "marble" floor, and the "frescoes" were painted by hand as a trompe l'oeil (fool the eye). Seeking beauty in a troubled time, the men of Camp 60 found dignity in the creation of this site, which now serves to remind the visitor of the terrible losses of war." – Don Rommes
Circular Staircase, Saint Magnus Cathedral"This stairwell leads up to the high, interior balconies that parallel the nave, and to the elevated walkways that follow the transept. The wide-angle lens used here exaggerates the scale. The passage is actually very narrow (I could not walk it without turning a bit sideways) and the steps are not deep enough for the full sole of the foot. It was also quite dark – the beautiful colored light from the stained glass windows provided the only illumination. The steps are nerve-racking to ascend and terrifying to descend, so it is not hard to imagine one of the clergy – especially after some communion wine – taking a painful tumble. The rope hand line was a late, but thoughtful, addition." – Don Rommes
Calvinist Chapel"The austerity of the Calvinist Chapel stands in stark contrast to the rolling green hills and the mild climate of these northerly islands. Rigid and rectilinear, uncomfortable and unforgiving, it seemed only appropriate to photograph these pews in the harsh afternoon light of a rare sunny day." – Don Rommes
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Donald J. RommesDon Rommes, a neonatal specialist by profession, has been photographing seriously for more than two decades. His work has been shown at the Smithsonian Institution, at multiple venues in the American West, and is part of the permanent collection of the Bureau of Land Management. |