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Southlight Gallery, April, 2011
Straight & Twisted
An inquiry into the nature of trees
I am intrigued with the form and structure of natural things. This comes from my background as an engineer and programmer. Categorization and order put my mind to rest. When I photograph in nature, I am immersed in randomness and chaos, or so it seems. When we slow down and connect to our surroundings, a natural order is revealed. I am moved to capture these moments.
I have been photographing trees for many years. At first I photographed what I liked or what was unique and different. Then I started to look at trees differently. I approach a tree much like I would approach a person to be photographed. You observe and then engage. I believe in conversation with all my subjects, asking permission, allowing the subject to reveal more than what is visible on the surface. Being receptive to what a subject offers is important – light, form, framing, juxtaposition, color, gesture, metaphor, and composition – all direct our intentions.
Straight & Twisted is a collection of image pairs that highlight the diverse nature of a tree's primary structure. Each image is an intimate view of a single tree (or parts thereof) or a small group of trees. We experience trees individually and in groups, from near and far away. Each tree has a distinct personality which may not be obvious. I have selected images representing straight and twisted begin to draw analogies, create stories, and draw conclusions relating to each composition. One image can enhance or illuminate another. So it is with our physical and emotional environments, contrast and juxtaposition allows the mind to engage and distill a new view of a singular moment.
Each image pair is named and is accompanied by a short statement. I’m sure that these images can yield many combito this collection, my appreciation of trees and their physical and spiritual presence is continuously enriched. Inspiration through observation and discovery is a special gift that nature provides in abundance.
Straight & Twisted
An inquiry into the nature of trees
I am intrigued with the form and structure of natural things. This comes from my background as an engineer and programmer. Categorization and order put my mind to rest. When I photograph in nature, I am immersed in randomness and chaos, or so it seems. When we slow down and connect to our surroundings, a natural order is revealed. I am moved to capture these moments.
I have been photographing trees for many years. At first I photographed what I liked or what was unique and different. Then I started to look at trees differently. I approach a tree much like I would approach a person to be photographed. You observe and then engage. I believe in conversation with all my subjects, asking permission, allowing the subject to reveal more than what is visible on the surface. Being receptive to what a subject offers is important – light, form, framing, juxtaposition, color, gesture, metaphor, and composition – all direct our intentions.
Straight & Twisted is a collection of image pairs that highlight the diverse nature of a tree's primary structure. Each image is an intimate view of a single tree (or parts thereof) or a small group of trees. We experience trees individually and in groups, from near and far away. Each tree has a distinct personality which may not be obvious. I have selected images representing straight and twisted begin to draw analogies, create stories, and draw conclusions relating to each composition. One image can enhance or illuminate another. So it is with our physical and emotional environments, contrast and juxtaposition allows the mind to engage and distill a new view of a singular moment.
Each image pair is named and is accompanied by a short statement. I’m sure that these images can yield many combito this collection, my appreciation of trees and their physical and spiritual presence is continuously enriched. Inspiration through observation and discovery is a special gift that nature provides in abundance.
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(c) 2023 Douglas J. Eng