Notes from the Woods

seeing · environment · exploration · photography

How far down the rabbit hole will you go?

Written by Mark

Born and raised in Detroit, c. 323 ppm CO2, Mark Graf is a Michigan photographer, naturalist, and diver whose muse is summoned by exploring the endless connections in nature; land, sea, and sky.

Saturday, July 5, 2008

RO8856sm_1.jpg

Morpheus: I imagine that right now, you’re feeling a bit like Alice. Hmm? Tumbling down the rabbit hole?
Neo: You could say that.
Morpheus: I see it in your eyes. You have the look of a man who accepts what he sees because he is expecting to wake up. Ironically, that’s not far from the truth.

(dialog from the movie, The Matrix)

Picture it, a dark mysterious rabbit hole beckoning you to come down and explore it.  A mysterious opening into an enchanted forest   All of these things came to my mind in making the images in this post   They are a reflection of reality in that these are actual physical patterns, yet spark imagination of something quite different than their material origin. .  I became absolutely mesmerized by them. .  These in particular for me are extremely surreal.

RO8857.jpgThis is part of the excitement for me in exploring nature’s patterns. . .  They already exist, sometimes in an otherwise benign environment, but when placed in the isolated context of a photograph, they can ignite excitement, enchantment, curiosity, and creativity.  In these rock abstracts, I am absolutely fascinated that such designs are created over millions of years.  They make me want to jump down the rabbit hole head first and see just how far it goes.

graf nature photo divider

this post is tagged with these subjects, you are invited to explore and wander …

Royal Sahara Jasper

Royal Sahara Jasper

While doing some image organization in Lightroom, I came across a batch of photographs I had previously published to my site but somehow got "lost in the shuffle" when I migrated all of my image galleries many years ago. They've been omitted from my Stonescapes series...

read more
Sempiternus Occasum

Sempiternus Occasum

Petrification is a process that always fascinated me. An organic living thing that becomes fossilized. Yet it isn't something that becomes frozen in time, it is something that becomes an embodiment of time. It may look like this static thing - but the organic...

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Agatized Fossil Dinosaur Bone

Agatized Fossil Dinosaur Bone

This is a piece of dinosaur bone I purchased a while ago when I was going a bit crazy with seeking out interesting patterns for my Stonescapes series of images. I was attracted to the unique pattern and colors, something I was completely unaware could happen with...

read more

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19 Comments

  1. Rampant Rabbit

    That is awesome – it’s a photo NOT an illustration???

    No way!

    Ali

    xx

  2. Mark

    Thanks Howard. I thought much the same thing.

  3. Howard Grill

    Mark…this one is absolutely amazing and totally mesmerizing. It almost ahs the look of an illustration as opposed to a photo it is so three dimensional!

  4. Mark

    Carl – thanks buddy.

  5. Carl

    Hey Mark,

    Unbelievably inspiring stuff, buddy – you blow me away.

    And congrats on the NSN cover – another killer image.

    Cheers

    Carl

  6. Mark

    I am glad so many see the fantasy world I pictured myself. Thank you for the comments! I have some more pieces of this fascinating rock, I will put up some more images soon.

  7. Petra Voetle

    Hi Mark,
    you know how well I can understand your enthusiasm. Isn’t it completely human to try to satisfy that never ending curiosity – same with the imagination. Everything is already there – you only need to grab it. I pity those who completely fail to recognize this.

    Wonderful image – could be part of an illustration for a book about fairies…

  8. Anita Jesse

    Fascinating and sends my imagination soaring. How could I possibly resist leaning into that and allowing myself to fall? Those “tree roots” along the side may pull me in anyway. And, that truly is an enchanted forest ”I see a bird down there in the trees. Bravo!

  9. Paul Grecian

    Great images Mark. These deserve to be printed large (even though they look really good on my screen). Just really neat work.

  10. bernie kasper

    Amazing image Mark, a true piece of art, love the depth in this !!

  11. Diane - Daily Walks

    Whoa! You could use this for meditation… spiraling down into the center of oneself. Very intriguing, Mark. Keep jumping.

  12. Ron Niebrugge

    That is great stuff Mark!

    Ron

  13. Mark

    Thanks guys.

    @ Michael – yes, it is Jasper from the Sahara Desert, and yes, it is photographed wet.

  14. Thomas Folke Andersen

    Well, you have good reason to be mesmerized Mark, this IS is a mesmerizing and outstanding image. I absolutely love the abstract patterns here. Beautiful work!

  15. Michael Brown

    Wow, ….. did this one ever grab my attention right off the bat!!
    Really love the movement in this piece Mark.
    So much beauty/mystery in this image while one studies the lines, color, texture, … and the story that goes along with it.
    Dude, ….. this is probably my favorite so far from your series!

    What type of Jasper is this, … if it is a Jasper?
    Wet?

    Eyes getting heavy so let me go.
    Again Mark, … excellent image, wonderful post/storyline, … love this one!

    Michael

  16. Paul

    Mark, that is fascinating. The center piece looks like a branch with roses growing upon it. Also, it does look like I’m looking down the rabbit hole! I guess that The Matrix really is whatever you want it to be. 🙂

  17. Mark

    Thank you for the comments Sherri and Lana.

  18. Lana

    Wow, Mark–that one’s REALLY awesome!

  19. Sherri Meyer

    This is awesome Mark. It really leaves a lot to the imagination.