Cenizo Journal Spring 2009 | Page 27

she says, preferring to stick with the time-honored but highly demanding art of sil- ver-gelatin printing. Although Van Cleef is wary of photographers who are “more hung up on equip- ment than they are on images,” she admits to enjoy- ing working with good photo- graphic gear. For her luminous portraits of people or the silent, timeless landscape of the Big Bend, she favors a 4-by-5 Linhof view camera, while the action shots featured in Texas Outback called for a faster, more portable camera like the 2-and-one- quarter Plubel Mikina she used to create the dynamic photographs of cowboys working cattle. The book’s sweeping views of San Jacinto Mountain, Sleeping Lion Mountain and the vast, wild lands along the Mexican border were made with a Hasselblad panoramic camera. These days, Van Cleef divides her time between her land south of Alpine and her ranch near Whitesboro, Texas, where she pursues her latest passion, reining. Married since 2003 to retired farmer Larry Range, she enjoys her time in the state’s biggest horse ranching com- munity but is always glad to get back to the land where she belongs, West Texas. She says the time she spends in the Big Bend energizes her and gives her a sense of freedom and peace and keeps her in touch with the West Texas way of life she continues to portray in her eloquent photographs of the Big Bend and its unique inhabitants. Say goodbye to high energy bills. eBUILDERS B IG B END R EGIONAL M EDIAL C ENTER is a JCAHO accredited facility with a Level IV Trauma designation, 24 hour physician coverage in the Emergency Department and skilled personnel to handle all of your needs. 2600 N Hwy 118 Alpine, TX www.BigBendHealthcare.com 432-837-3447 CLASSIC ADOBES + MODERN COMFORT VACATION IN Big Bend Getaway, $109-$129/night fully-furnished house, sleeps 4-5 www.terlinguaretreat.com cgitom@gmail.com, mgr. 432.386.0044 Marfa Vacation Apartments, $79-$139/night fully-furnished apartments, from studio to 2BR www.marfaretreaet.com g_conners@yahoo.com, mgr. 432.386.7120 Car insurance with personal service. No extra charge. At State Farm you get a competitive rate and an agent dedicated to helping you get the coverage that’s right for you and the discounts you deserve. Nobody takes care of you like State Farm. Contact me. I’ll prove it. PAPERCRETE CONSTRUCTION Monica R Woodall CLU, Agent 906 E Holland Ave. • Alpine FREE ESTIMATES 432-940-9861 monica.woodall.nyve@statefarm.com Mon. - Fri. 8:30am to 5pm • Sat. by appointment domes • barrel vaults walls • additions 432.837.5631 Open Monday - Saturday 10 to 6 • Sunday Noon to 6 Please come and join us for the best wine experience West Texas has to offer! Three miles east of Marfa on Hwy 90 432.729.3434 Cenizo First Quarter 2009 27