Firstly I would like to thank everyone who has emailed me privately recently…in particular in response to my last few posts. It is a privilege to be the recipient of your expression and to know that my words and images have in some way touched your life.
I had other information to share today…but an opportunity has arisen for me to use my last post outlining one of the processes I use when I first arrive somewhere; to help illustrate my response to a question one of my readers put to me.
Why do I take photographs???? …. quite simply…. as an avenue to help me understand myself and who I am. Photography for me is another avenue for me to develop self-awareness.
I will use the example in my last post. I was driving along and these trees caught my eye. I stopped. I felt. I wrote. I started photographing and just listened to what I heard through my eyes.
I saw lines intersecting. Immediately I heard something which made me think of the lines as a metaphor for our lives. The lines from the scribble gum insect traversing the trunk of the tree were an allegory for individual lives which go one way…and then another…traversing time and place….. connecting and interacting with other people, then continuing on our own individual path by ourselves.
Traversing time and place
intersecting meandering lives
together –
alone.
As I saw all the scribbly marks on the tree, I saw different situations where there were clusters of lots of lines and movement and intersections; and I saw communities of people, and friends and families. Then there were other places on the trees where there were only a couple of lines which came together and then parted to go along their own separate direction; and I saw couples and partners and how individuals come together and yet still had their own individual path….. some in unison alongside another…. some going in a totally different direction. There were some lines on the trunk which were totally isolated – yet I noticed they seemed strong… and I reflected on how strength can come from within oneself.
I recognised that no matter how many lines there were on the tree; how many meandering directions and interactions with others – ultimately my life is an individual journey. I am alone. Not at all lonely. I have a beautiful husband, family and friends. But alone with working out my own needs and goals so that I may lead a fulfilled life rich with experiences and Love…. because that is my responsibility to work out my own needs and goals; and no-one else can do that for me.
I realise these images aren’t earth shattering :-)…. and won’t win any competitions, probably not ‘liked’ by many others nor hung on the lounge room wall; but from so many responses to me via email I have realised the importance of sharing my process and how these simple images have also stimulated reflection in others.
Perhaps you may now see what stopping, listening and taking photographs has enabled me to connect with and learn about myself.
I would love to hear about why you take photographs.
