Chasing the Moon: Q&A with Landscape Photographer Wesley Eisenhauer
Wes Eisenhauer’s work is an ode to the road, the moon and South Dakota, and we’re here for it. We wanted to know why moonlit highways inspire him to make these collages and how he brings the magic of road trips to life..
Photo Credit: Wes Eisenhauer
Q: Your Instagram feed is like a love letter to the phases of the moon and South Dakota. Almost equally. Can you elaborate a little more on why and how you do these moments/scenes and talk through some of your inspiration?
A: I’ve always been drawn to photographing the moon. It’s consistent. It always shows up. I love the challenge of capturing the same subject over and over while attempting to find ways to put it into a new perspective or context – whether that’s an interesting foreground element or a dramatic gradient in the sky. I love the fact that no matter where you are in the world, we all see the same moon.
Photo Credit: Wes Eisenhauer
Q: Do you feel the pull of the open road, it seems to be in a lot of your compositions?
A: I’m drawn to traveling and exploring new places. Even if those places aren’t that far from home. There’s beauty all around me in my home state of South Dakota. There are a lot of wide open spaces and sparsely populated areas. I think that sense of seclusion can make for a really interesting composition.
Photo Credit: Wes Eisenhauer
Q: What do you call yourself if people ask? Would you say you’re more artist than photographer or photographer than artist?
A: I play around in many different mediums, but I’m a photographer first. Whether it’s digital collage, filmmaking, or music, all those creative outlets point back and are influenced by my journey as a photographer.
Photo Credit: Wes Eisenhauer
Q: Can you walk us through your creative process, from planning a shoot to the final editing stage?
A: I’m constantly shooting the moon. I have a big archive of moon photos that I use and repurpose for different videos. I do all of my editing and assembling in Photoshop and Adobe Premiere. I don’t like to plan too much. I’ve found that always being ready and allowing myself to be spontaneous has yielded the biggest rewards when it comes to capturing interesting imagery. You can plan all you want, but usually that plan shifts due to powers outside of your control. I prefer to be spontaneous and act in the moment.
Photo Credit: Wes Eisenhauer
Q: Do you have a ritual for collecting your moons?
A: All the moons are photographs that I’ve taken over the years. I don’t have a ritual, per se, I just try to keep a camera close by at all times and gather as much material as possible.
Photo Credit: Wes Eisenhauer
Q: How do you choose your concept, where do you start? How do you pick locations?
A: Most of what I capture is right outside my front door in South Dakota. There are so many open spaces, and I love capturing the leading lines of the open road to draw the eye in. It’s amazing when you find a road that seems to go on forever. I especially like to find roads that feel remote with no power lines or cars.
Photo Credit: Wes Eisenhauer
Q: How do you ensure each composition tells a story and stands out?
A: I have a lot of fun playing around on Instagram. A lot of times, the music I use dictates the direction and feeling I’m trying to convey. I gather songs and musical loops just as often as I’m gathering images. Sometimes the music I hear will spark an idea and I run with it.
Photo Credit: Wes Eisenhauer
Q: What equipment and techniques do you rely on to capture the intricate details of both the landscapes and the moon phases in your photos? Any tips for aspiring artists/photographers?
A: I use a standard Sony mirrorless camera for most of my photography work. Having a good zoom lens to fill the frame is always helpful. Capturing the moon in the daytime always works best for what I do. When you shoot the moon in the daylight it allows you to expose the moon and your surroundings properly so you can see everything, as opposed to shooting a bright moon in the pitch black of night.
Photo Credit: Wes Eisenhauer
Q: Why should travelers come visit, or what do you love most about South Dakota
A: South Dakota is a hidden gem. There is so much beauty here. Badlands National Park is one of my favorite places in the world. It has such a unique landscape, it’s remote, and filled with wildlife. There’s nothing like the feeling of being alone in the park at sunrise, surrounded by bison as the sun comes up. It looks and feels like another planet. It’s a photographers playground.
Q: Any good road trips that people must take in the state? Can you list out 3-5 can’t-miss places in South Dakota
A: The first place I would tell people to go is Badlands National Park, but there are many other beautiful places in South Dakota. The city I live in, Sioux Falls, is a wonderful community and has plenty of scenic locations. The Black Hills on the west side of the state is another incredible area. Needles Highway, Custer State Park, Sylvan Lake, Spearfish Canyon. There is no shortage of beauty to be found here in South Dakota.
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