Natural World – Page 35

Just a photograph

Photographers may document their lives; where they travel; who they meet; what they see. Sometimes they attempt to create a photograph that may qualify as “art” or even “Art.” Sometimes they create fictional photographs; or advertising; or portraits; or illustrations; or they may document wars, disasters, weddings, funerals and other events of every sort.

The times, when they click the shutter simply because “a photograph” appears before them demanding existence, as such (and for no other purpose whatsoever), may say the most about both the photographer and photography. Just a photograph. An object. To look at. Nothing more. Nothing less.

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Leica M8, 28 mm Summicron Asph

Friday: flower

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Leica R8, 15 mm Super Elmar

Leica R8/DMR, 100 mm Apo-Macro Elmarit

Not only leaves fall

not only leaves fall
winds and windows change the state
of life around us

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R8/DMR, 100 mm Apo-Macro Elmarit

R8/DMR, 15 mm Super Elmar

A conversation with forms of disintegration

Billions of leaves now lie on my little parcel of the planet. Each whispers a different message about color, form, texture, pattern, volume, shape, and line. Each changes by the hour as they disintegrate; no longer able to fulfill their role in photosynthesis. How do I choose just one leaf to visually converse with? Does it matter which one? Probably not.

Sunday: I pick up three leaves. As I tilt and twist each one and observe the light shifting through the Visoflex (with the 65 mm Elmar at full extension, plus two tubes) it becomes clear that one leaf has much more to say than the other two. So it does matter. I set up a minimal, miniature studio at “my place” on the kitchen table (just the little SD24 flash on a Nikon off-camera cable, and a white reflector). For the next couple hours that leaf and I enjoy a lovely visual conversation. Two thirds into this conversation Ann asks, “all that!? for one leaf?” I chuckle — and think to myself, “oh yes. This one seems to have a lot to say.” How do I explain these fascinating visual conversations to someone who has not experienced this process? Perhaps by quoting visual excerpts from our dialogue. Before continuing its journey toward becoming fertile dirt the leaf had this to say…

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Leica M8, Visoflex with 65 mm Elmar at full extension, plus two extension tubes

Moonrise over fish fry

Friday: Drive to Sendik’s for the traditional fried fish. Full moon peeks over trees; rooftops; disappears; reappears. Turn right on Port Washington Road. There behind Culver’s it all comes together. Don’t stop. Drive on for the fish as I may see an even better view. Nope. That was the photograph. Buy the fish and seven layer salad. Drive back through the parking lots. Perfect (except for the lack of a tripod). Stand. Still — as the smell of hot cod and tilapia blends with mirages of Adams and Hopper.

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Leica M8, 28mm Summicron Asph

Dancing through time — Friday — flower appears.

ever fewer

ever smaller blooms,
now surrounded by fallen
leaves, dancing in the breeze

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As I look through the view finder I slowly fall in love with this tiny blossom, resting on the weathered cedar, in the shade of the porch; even though the light lacks quality. The afternoon sun requires redirecting. The closest useful tool sits six feet away; in the kitchen drawer. A sheet of aluminum foil allows me to bring the sunlight back into the scene. As I search for the composition the slight fall breeze continually moves the near weightless leaves around the subject — a delicate dance. New leaves appear on this dance floor. Others depart. The breeze on the foil also causes the light to dance about in endless variations. So too does the camera move; closer; further; lower; higher; searching for the rhythms. So which of these best captured my affection for the subject and the light? I still can’t decide.

Leica R8/DMR, 100 mm Apo-Macro-Elmarit

Friday’s Flower: a late bloomer

Step out on this brisk, chilly morning. Bare feet. Coffee in hand. The flower beds appear dry, wilted, gone to seed for next year’s birth. Scan the distant yard for any sign of wild flower color. See only the color of autumn leaves. Turn around to to head in and check the archives on the computer — then, right there climbing the porch, lo and behold the vine that refused to blossom all summer decided to bloom on this late date.

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