Location: United States
Bob Felderman (b. 1955, Dubuque, Iowa) is a Midwest USA-based editorial and commercial photographer. He has traveled much of our planet, seeking out human interactions. As a strategic planner and operator, he has met various people who lived or worked in poverty, middle and upper-class citizens, and Kings and Presidents who rule or run their nations. This has had an immense impact on his philosophy of life and his storytelling skills. These opportunities helped shape his creative focus on life challenges and opportunities for the inhabitants around the globe, on which his editorial and commercial photography brands now focus. He received his BFA in Photography (summa cum laude) from the Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design of Lakeland/Denver, Colorado, in 2021; a BS in Aviation Management & Flight Operations from the University of Dubuque in 1988; and an MS in National Security Strategy in Washington, DC, in 2001. Bob spent four decades serving our nation's military and locally as a real estate broker. Since 2010 he began storytelling through photographs and continued his experiences traveling the globe. He now accepts editorial photography, commercial photography, and writing assignments for press, publications, and other media clients. Look for Bob on the backroads and river roads of America and the world as he uses photography and cinematography to tell stories about people and issues of the day.
As a ground and aerial artist the past few years, I am presenting some of my commercial and fine art efforts, as well documentary photos of life around and along the mighty Mississippi River.
The historical county courthouse has gold leaf on the dome, renovated exterior of the redstone masonry walls, stone eaves and window, and gray statues.
“Solar Blue Panels on Green Grass”
As part of a magazine cover assignment, these newly installed solar panels were the years highlight for the city.
“Reflections of Mississippi River at Historic Flood Stage”
The Mississippi River hit historic flood levels this week. The trees in the foreground are many feet under water, and the level is almost surpassing the railroad bridge that crosses the river from Iowa to Illinois. In the background are the historic Dubuque Star Brewery and Shot Tower reflecting in the muddy and mighty Mississippi River.
“Canadian Northern Crossing Mississippi River”
The Canadian Northern Train waits on the Iowa side of the Mississippi River while the crews check the historic railroad bridge for safe passage. The river reached historic flood levels, over 22 feet, but the city is safe due to a flood wall installed in the late 1960's. However, the water is less than a few feet from topping the bridge and concerns for its safe use are prudent. To the north (right) of the train is the historic Shot Tower, originally constructed to make "bullets" or shot during the Civil War. It later became a watch tower for the massive lumber yards in the flat downtown area of the city. To the south (left) of the train is the Dubuque Star Brewery and Alliant Amphitheater, restored from being the first brewery west of the Mississippi River and having been used in the movie, "Take This Job and Shove It."
“Empty boat docks along National Mississippi River Museum”
With the Mississippi River at historic levels, the Port of Dubuque closed its flood gates, thus isolating the boat docks sitting empty. They offer a leading line to the former Iowa Boat Company construction yard, now part of the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium (a Smithsonian affiliate) that was constructed with almost no federal funds.
The mighty Mississippi River annually get high in the early spring, but 2019 brings historic levels (3rd highest in recorded history) to the Tri States of Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin. Many acres of land are flooded throughout the Midwest, and transportation hubs are impacted as well. This is a railroad bridge crossing the river, with a swinging section that opens for barges and pleasure craft to traverse the river. The water level is inches from overtaking the foundation, but it crested on the day this photo was taken at 22 feet.
Now closed, Sweeney's Supper Club was an original 60;s era supper club, with huge sit around the circular bar, open dining area with huge fireplace, but the owner did not put any money back into the infrastructure and it finally closed in the late 1990s. Taking photos of bygone eras is one of my professional hobbies, and this is was purchased in 2018 by another restaurant elsewhere in the USA, so it no longer exists as you see here.
“Fairground Night Color Wheels”
Taken while not above any people, in the time just after sunset as the rides at the Dubuque County Fair have all their lights on. Taken from about 200 feet, it shows the entire carnival ride area.
Located on the airport land, this house was slated for demolition, but was offered to Key West Volunteer Fire Department for a training burn. Taken with drone for an awesome aerial angle.
While driving the backroads of America, this one along the Wisconsin Scenic River Route, there are many small towns offering tourist destinations between Chicago - Minneapolis - Kansas City and beyond. This was a sign of the times as these towns offer refreshing ideas and art.
Driving along the back roads of America, we often come across farmland that offers scenic views. This one show the crops planted, green grass along the roads, bales of hay from last years bumper crops, with forest background against the puffy white clouds from Mother Nature.
A couple from New York fell in love with Dubuque Iowa along the Mississippi River, bought a warehouse that formerly been a hotel, and updated it leaving much of the hacked history in the damaged walls, floors and ceilings. Today it offers a tavern, restaurant, show stage, and art gallery to those eclectic patrons and artists. It recently held a gallery showing of works from General Bob Photography.
“Ponce Inlet Lighthouse Light”
St Augustine Florida is the oldest town in America, with a sketch history on that truth, but this lighthouse at Ponce Inlet keeps boats from crashing into the rocky shoreline during foggy times.
“Golden Domed Courthouse”
“"The Water She's Arising"”
“Sweeney's Supper Club”
“Hosing Down House Fire”
“Sign to Everywhere”
“Iowa Farmland Cloudy Sky”
“Smokehouse Collage”
