The area I call home has not escaped the conditions that have led to the decline of the American farm and the steady disappearance of barns. Suburban sprawl that's turned farmland into subdivisions and country roads into highways is nothing new to Lake County, Ill.
That's why it was so refreshing to see this old red barn a few feet from the road I drive to workout most weekday mornings.
Its only recently, though, that I thought about photographing it, mostly because I'm usually focused on an hour in the gym, rather than making an image.
But that all changed a few days ago, when an early-winter storm covered our area with snow and ice.
When the snow finally stopped and the skies turned a stunning blue, I could no longer resist.
The bright sunlight -- something I'm not a huge fan of when it comes to my photography--bounced off the snow and ice to turn tree branches and open fields into a shimmering winter palace.
Still feeling the effects of 60 minutes in the gym, I pulled the car into a nearby subdivison, walked across the busy street and shot a few frames.
I'm glad I stopped.
I hope you are, too.

What is it about black and white that makes it work so well in some with certain old barns...and churches, too?
We asked ourselves that when we came upon this old church near Trenton, Wisc.
Saint Augustine Church sat majestically on the side of the road, surrounded by a field of tombstones, presumably the final resting place for many parishioners.
We tried to respect the landscape as we walked around exploring the scene.
It didn't take long to realize that although color would flatter the bright sky and rolling lawn, the scene would take on a vintage feel as black and white.
As I look at the image now, I find myself waiting for a line of 1950 cars carrying men in hats and women wearing pearl necklaces.
More of our work can be seen at www.ernestjschweitphotography.com Look for us on facebook as Ernest J. Schweit, Photographer/M. Fisher Studios, LLC, Instagram @ernestjschweit