• Memorial notes August 23 - 09:37 pm

Talented, caring, sharing, patient, humorous, some of the words used to describe the man behind the camera, Dan Urbanski. Our memorial tribute this week concludes in the chilly months. The top and bottom photos also provide us with a look at Dan's witty side.

It was the day after a blizzard in March, someone called to tell him that a windrow of 'Blue Ice' had formed on the shore. Dan said the blue ice was so compelling, that he had to take a chance and go out for some shots. A coyote joined him out there, right off the center of Ontonagon and he had more company when he returned to the shore. The Village Police were there to check on the reports of 'some maniac, taking chances on the ice.'

In the shot 'Moonlit mystery', we get a glimpse of a peaceful night-time scene... or is it? Here's what Dan had to say about this masterpiece:

Hi Charlie,

I've been sitting on this image for a while, trying to decide whether to send it to you or not. Maybe it would be useful on April Fools Day, because it isn't totally real. The river scene was photographed at three in the afternoon on a sunny day, the moon and Venus two weeks before that, and the wolf was added from my photo of it on Lake Superior a while back. I like the picture anyway. It depicts the serenity and mystery of a moonlit night in the U.P.

Dan

Good morning all. Beautiful pic to start the day.

Thanks for sharing such a marvelous photographic legacy. What you share is a major departure from our routine here in Oakland/San Francisco. We enjoy both the natural beauty you show us and the tone of your comments. I visited your area once in 1955, and it is a pleasure to have those memories reawakened and enriched.

Good morning from San Jose. Shots like these helped to convince me to buy my first digital camera. I will be back home in early October-hope to catch some colors with it.

morning all. beautiful pics.

Good morning from Mishawaka IN. Thank you for the week of Dans beautiful art work. I'm looking forward to seeing the Pasty Cam 2005 calendar.

We saw Dan at one of his presentations, this one in Iron River. He was not only sincere and a photographic genius, but he could put computers and music and photos together in a way I could only do in my dreams. Thank you for the fitting tribute to a man who was the essence of the U.P. May God rest his soul, and let me know when the calendars are ready. Will they be done by November for Christmas mailings? Thank you.

Good Morning from Kabul, Afghanistan. I can't wait till I am back home in the UP. Only 6 months left and I can enjoy all the snow instead of all the sand.

Yesterday someone suggested a two year calendar or a desk calendar-both great ideas! They would make great Christmas gifts! Please let us know when we can start ordering them!

mdp,

AS much as you want to see the snow (and I dont blame you, I can't wait either athough you have more reason then me to want to see it) I'm thankful that you are where you are dending our country/ Thank you for the work you're doing. Regardliss of what any politician may say for political gain or a citizen that's mad about the war, I appreciate the work you do as do many others.

A thankful US citizen,

Paul

More beautiful photos by Dan. The blue ice looks like it could be on a planet. Looking forward to the calendar.

Mornin'

Pasty.com has been my home page for the last two years as I look forward to starting each day with an inspiring picture of a land a love. I am grateful to the people who generously contribute their time and talents, allowing others to "see".

I will be in Houghton later this week and would like to add some of Dan’s work to my UP art collection. Any recommendations on where I can purchase his prints?

Editor's note: Check Dan's website for more information about purchasing his prints: Quietly Wild

"Moonlit Mystery" has always been one of my favorite pictures that Dan "took", or in this instance, created. I've walked those lake shores in the dead of the night on many a winters cold evening and this captured those moments perfectly for me. Thanks for reminding us all how wonderful nature can be in all her beauty. Dan will surely be missed, but never forgotten.

Dan was an awesome photographer. I only talked to him once, about 4 years ago in his studio, but have seen and enjoyed his pictures for quite some time now. He will be missed greatly. Later, Skylar.

Here are the picture I picked
Rays sunset
Ontonagoh lighthouse
Christmas
dip in the road
Apple blossoms aunset
Isle Royal Auroros
Oriole at hummingbird feeder
color creek
Presque Falls
Fall colors on the flintsteel river
Sphinx Moth
and red Maple I have as the desk top now

I believe just about every Yooper, especially those of us who no longer live up there, have at least one Dan Urbanski print in their homes. He didn't just capture the natural beauty of our beloved peninsula, he captured its heart & soul on film. That is why we naitive Yoopers loved his work so much.

My family and I are greatful that he shared his gifts with the world. He will be deeply missed.

I picked Dans brain with emails about photography a few times. He never failed to email me back...that always stays with you.
Does anyone know if Dans website will be maintained so we can purchase his work in the future?

A great talent that will be sorely missed.

I don't visit this site nearly enough...photographs like that sure do take me home to Michigan. We do not see winter scenery like that in Tennessee, and it makes my heart ache for home.

On the way to Minnesota I took a side trip two summers ago to visit Dan’s studio, rather than order a picture from the web site. As I got out of my car, their dog greeted me, and then Dan and his wife as they worked in their office. They were easy-going, unassuming, as we talked in an off-hand way about life in the U.P. and other places while I walked about surveying everything to make my precious choice for my home. Those moments on that journey meant a lot to me, and so I was stunned last night to find he is gone from this realm, enfolded in God’s love.

I think "doclaak, willard, ohio" really hit it on the head with "Essence of the U.P."

Can that be used for the title of the calendar? :-D

What beauty!

I also like the idea of a 2 year calender, or one for my desk. What a treat that would be to look at it every day as your working.

Heartfelt condolences to Patty ...
and to Sara.
The two best summers of my life were the ones spent working with Dan & Sara around the gallery. Though I can't be there at Paul's tomorrow for the memorial, please know that I'll be there in spirit.
And to you, Dan, we'll miss you ...

The quality that sets a truly outstanding, unforgettable artist from one you soon forget is the artist’s passion for his art and subject. One feels that Dan Urbanski’s photographs are not just copies of what was in front of him, but moments that he patiently waited for when the object, landscape, sky, water was transformed in some supernatural way. One can sense the awe he felt and the urgency to capture that moment and you feel his presence in every photograph he took. How sad that that he will not be around anymore to show us a world we are too busy, blind, or too timid to look for, but what a great role model he will be for those of us who recognize his genius.

ansel adams would be inspired by danny urbanski he will be missed his work is his best epitaph

They say we should gently touch souls so that the Angels can find our finger prints. I believe that Dan not only gentle touched souls and the UP wilderness but also has touched the heart of God. Thanks Dan for all the beautiful work you have done.

genius has to have an outlet this was dannys

i would,in all seriousness, vote for a five year calander then maybe just maybe then many more of his great works would be published

just a thought

I think a 5 year calender would be a little much.
Who would remind every one at the end of the year to make a donation to Still Waters. I think people are more likely to purchase a 1 or 2 year calender.

Magnificent is not a big enough word to describe Dan Urbanski's work.

Maybe, after things have calmed down for the family, a coffee table style book of Dan's photographs could be considered. Expensive to produce, yes, but I am sure that the many people who have responsed to pasty.com would want a copy. I sure would.

I just checked into Pasty Cam after a very busy week of not checking in as usual. What a shock to hear about Dan Urbanski's death! I, too, feel as though I have lost a friend who I never met. I am an amateur photographer and look with admiration at the work of Dan! What an artist! What a loss! God's blessings to his family and all of you who knew him personally! I think it is a wonderful idea to make the 2005 calendar a tribute to Dan. I'm sure it will be hard to pick out only 12 pictures, though, from the many he took.

Only one more week of summer. Pretty soon we will all be seeing the crisp white snow laying ontop the grass.
MM

Oh, I don't know what to say. I am so, I don't know, speechless about Mr. Urbanski's passing...

I live in the Houghton area, and there were so many times that I went 'up north' armed with nothing but a camera to try to become one with nature, and try to capture what I feel on film. The feeling of place, the beauty of nature, there is nothing better in the world. All of the stresses of the day just wash away.

Dan was just so, darned, inspirational.

If I may add my 2 cents... I think that a calendar may be a great idea, but I think, to preserve his memory... and his legacy... We should start a scholarship fund, for budding shutterbugs or local art students. Or, a nature preserve in his name. He deserves nothing less.

Dan, your vision has carried so many of us through. And you will continue to do so. In my eyes you have always been a friend...

love ya man

Jim Gallie has provided some shots of Dan himself, and some personal thoughts, in a special edition of Cam Notes prior to the memorial service this afternoon.

We'll begin a new week with another Shoebox Memory later today. Remember to select your favorites for the 2005 Pasty Cam Calendar, which will be a tribute to the photography of Dan Urbanski.

Like many of the other posters, I've been inspired by Dan's work over many years. I think Kevin of Ripley has a great idea with the scholarship fund in Dan's name.

Dan will be greatly missed.