One of the ‘themes’ I have been looking for while out in the field are situations where all of the elements have some type of symbiotic, circular relationship. It it more of a visual, thematic relationship rather than a biological symbiotic one. I have it as an ongoing project to collect certain images all pertaining to this theme.
For example, this leaf image is one of my most recent shots. I liked the visually interesting patterned log of a fallen tree, then there is an oak leaf, that is also shaped like a tree. All of the elements of the image have some type of circular relationship to a central theme of trees and interlinked with each other – fallen tree, fallen leaf, shape of the leaf in shape of a tree, etc.
These things are incredibly difficult to find in chaos of nature sometimes. They are even more difficult to find in simplified form – there always seems to be one particular element that doesn’t fit in perfectly – and essentially ruins the concept. I shot this other image last fall, again of a leaf. I liked the hole in the leaf was actually in the shape of a leaf. The hole looks like a leaf hanging from a tree branch. Leaves, trees, and roots seem to have the best graphical elements to work into this particular theme because their features are so similar.
Using software tools like Lightroom makes it easier to keep track of long term projects like this. I just drag and drop images that seem to fit the theme into a custom category for future reference. Hopefully I will accumulate enough of them to warrant some type of publishing of the entire collection as a group.
Thank you all for stopping by to comment. I was out shooting again this past weekend trying to look for subjects that fit this theme. It was quite difficult. There is an abundance of subject material out there, but to find elements that are in this ‘circular symbiosis’ is hard.
The theme you’re pursuing is great. Very creative. I look forward to seeing a collection of these shots in the future. While shooting Aspen trees in the eastern Sierra’s this week I thought I had my eyes completely open to new concepts and subjects. In many regards I considered my trip a great success, but seeing ideas like this make me reevaluate how much I actually see. As always an inspiring post.
Mark…. beautiful images! I’m especially drawn to the close-up for it’s colors. I started keeping groups of images as well a while ago using iView (recently bought out by Microsoft). It definitely can spur ideas.
I just read your last post about saturation of info and blogging. I can so appreciate your thoughts! Blogging is a wonderful tool for communicating and feeling a part of a “virtual camera group”. But….. most groups don’t meet EVERY day, let alone write each other. Good for you attempting balance in it all!
Great concept Mark. Learning to see is a life long process. I try my best to stretch myself every shot and every painting. If I’m not learning or discovering new things I’m not growing.
Beautiful shots.
Hi Mark,
Those were really interesting thought-processes behind the images! Lovely pictures!
These are really nice Mark, interesting project you have in mind, it will be cool if you can put it all together.
Hey Mark, I’m a sucker for a good leaf shot, well done. Hope you found some nice bacterial film to shoot this weekend.
I enjoyed your point on Symbiotic Subjects. It’s the deeper, multi-layered aspects of photography like this that tends to get lost in our shoot’m up digital photography world. There is something to be said about taking the time to construct your image layer by layer. Just like there is something to be said about taking the time to explore an image layer by layer.
Great thoughts…and it reminded me of a great layered image that is available in my neighborhood! Thanks!