markus spring photography
In early spring the forest shows convincingly its linear structures. The verticals are self evident, consisting of the stems, but what I discovered was the complementation of those verticals by arcs, horizontal lines and diagonals. Have a look yourself at today’s small gallery here.
I like the series of spring forest photos in the small gallery. Together they are stronger and tell a more complete story then any single photo. The quietness and feelings of solitude the forest offers at this time of year is special. You’re right about it’s linear structure being on display.
Earl, I have to admit that this topic developed very spontaneously on the first steps of a walk with the family (the red parka in one of the images is part of the bunch). Originally I was looking for some springtime sceneries, but due to the late winter there is no fresh green yet.
Markus, what I really like about the small gallery of forest shots is how apparent it is that this is a carefully tended preserve, the opposite of wilderness. I think it’s important when photographing in a park to show, rather than hide, the indications that people „intrude“ on this space. The pathways, the carefully stacked cut trees—you’ve included all sorts of markers to tell us that without the active involvement of people who care about this place, it wouldn’t be here. Or at least it would be a very different place without human tending.
Carl, it is not long that I’ve overcome my strong preference for the natural, untouched environment. It was (and is still) probably a romantic impulse. The years I am learning now to see have tought me a new approach, more realistic of necessity as untouched wilderness is pretty much non-existent outside the core of national parks, but also in a certain way positively accepting my surroundings instead of a certain inward repulse because I wish them to be different.
Thinking back of this development I guess that it were to a good part your images that had influence on my thinking. It seems to me a sober, unpretentious yet embracing approach to the world as it exists, not as it is projected by wishful thinking. I thank you very much for your involvement in this process.
Markus, I am flattered that you think I had some influence on this development. Let me quote (only from memory so it won’t be perfect) from an interview with the great photographer Paul Strand late in his life. Answering a question about setting things up for the camera, but it could just as well apply to this issue of artificial wilderness, he said, „I find the real world around me far more interesting than anyone’s imagination, including my own.“
I’m with him.—Carl
Although I still relate much more to non-structured more messy stuff, I like the focus on just one main color combined with the stark graphic structures. And the light works nicely for that.
…But, c’mon, „early spring“ was a real outburst of optimism, wasn’t it? Just heard that they predicted that here the ice on the coastline will most likely stay throughout March…
Thomas, my heart did and does still beat for those remote, pure wilderness places. But they are pretty much out of reach at the moment. And instead of deploring my captivity I have decided to explore and experience what is here now.
Re. spring: did you have a look at Stephen Connor’s blog here: http://sjconnor.wordpress.com/2010/03/02/it-seems-to-be-spring/ ? Ice? Where? Maybe emigrating to Canada might be an option.
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