Native to Prairie Baby Onesie

These native yellow coneflowers were captured in an Illinois prairie.

Ray Silva, photographer: I approach photography as an art form that challenges me to look past the obvious and focus on the textures, patterns, form and shape. Although it is sometimes a distraction to the naked eye, the subject can draw the viewer of a photograph to into a multi-dimension so it makes them feel as if they are inside the photo. My subject matter is primarily nature: traditional landscapes, wildlife or flowers. Capturing the light is everything. Where it is not controlled in nature, it is experienced. Being in the moment, challenges me to expose for the reflections of light off the subject in a way the composition is an expression of a moment in time. Photographic images are not just created in the camera. Although...