Photographs capture the splendor of Ohio

The book includes shots of several Mahoning Valleylandmarks.
By THERESA M. HEGEL
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
"Ohio: A Bicentennial Portrait" photography by Ian Adams; text by Stephen Ostrander (BrownTrout Publishers, $39.95)
Ian Adams' "Ohio: A Bicentennial Portrait" is inspiring. Its glossy photos of lush landscapes and imposing edifices nearly inspired me to dust off my own camera and attempt something slightly more ambitious than the usual snapshots of decapitated relatives and blurry thumbs.
But perhaps that's better left to professionals such as Adams, an Akron photographer who is a regular contributor to regional and national magazines, such as Ohio Week, Midwest Living and Travel Weekly.
For the rest of us, Adams' handsome -- and hefty -- coffee table book should inspire pride in the Buckeye State's many spectacular sights.
The book's photos are divided into 10 sections, each featuring a different aspect of Ohio life and each boasting a short introduction by Stephen Ostrander, a historian and naturalist from Columbus. Ohio seasons, industry, bridges, buildings, wildlife and agriculture are among the themes Adams and Ostrander chose to highlight.
Local scenes
If the sheer beauty of the photography isn't enough to spark your interest, the book also includes shots of several Mahoning Valley landmarks.
The chapter on Buckeye industry features a photo of the20-foot scrap iron steel worker you may have seen while driving on Route 46 in Niles. The piece was created by Sidney Rackoff in 1993. Gaston's Mill, part of a pioneer village in Beaver Creek State Park near East Liverpool in Columbiana County, is displayed in that section as well.
In the chapter, "Ohioans on the Move," there is a colorful photo of fall foliage along Route 534 in Mesopotamia. The caption underneath mentions that the state's second largest Amish community is located in Trumbull and Geauga counties.
The "Little Red Schoolhouse," located near Poland, finds a second home in a chapter called "Schooled in Ohio." Built in 1858, the building has a "sober Greek Revival style," which is "subverted by Tuscan plasters with molded wooden capitals."
In a section featuring barns and bridges, Adams includes a picture of Echo Dell Bridge, which crosses Little Beaver Creek in Beaver Creek State Park in Columbiana County. According to the caption, the 129-foot-long iron Pratt through-truss bridge was built in 1910.
Mill Creek Park
And, of course, no photographic journey through Ohio could be considered complete without at least one photo of Mill Creek Park. Adams depicts a winter scene of a snow-covered willow tree poised over Lake Glacier, and the authors share a few facts about the park, mentioning that the 2,600-acre park was built in 1891 by Volney Rogers and features "three man-made lakes, several historical bridges, a working gristmill and Fellows Riverside Gardens."
If you've been searching for a beautiful way to commemorate Ohio's upcoming bicentennial, Adams and Ostrander's new book is picture perfect.
hegel@vindy.com