By the end of the Last Glacial Maximum, 20,000 years ago, great ice sheets covered much of what is now Canada and the northern United States. By 8,000 years ago their immense weight had withdrawn beyond the boreal region along what is now the United States-Canada border, leaving a depression-filled land of lakes and their accompanying wetlands. The beautiful Upper Peninsula of Michigan is such a place, a water-world of forests and low-lying drainages often connecting in a patchwork of aquatic natural delight. The autumn color of this land is both actual and reflective. It is a land I deeply love.
A focal length of 135mm gave me an intimate landscape of a piece of a larger wetland. An aperture of f/16 provided depth-of-field, and a shutter speed of 1/10th second at ISO 100 gave me a stilled reflection and an overall medium exposure.
The Land of Kitchi-Gami is many things; its wondrous beauty is a siren’s song to which I gladly submit time and time again.
Hello, Don. My eye quickly went to the “S” shape of the open water. Then, the counterpoints of the red and blue. Then, the diagonals of the lily pads, then then then… Such an engaging image, thank you. After reading your quote from Christophe Andre last week, I bought the book and am enjoying it. As a novice to meditation practices, so much of what he writes seems strange and inaccessible, but I sense there’s something important in there. We’re off to New England next week with a string of uncluttered, unstructured days; I’m imagining ample opportunities for unhurried image-making. I hope so! Have a great week.
Simply stunning.
I live in Michigan so I am somewhat familiar with what you have captured so well in this photo. I love the way your photography skills have captured the details of this dystrophic pond like environment,the lilies,bullrushes, the colors, the background reflections, and the integrity of the watery ripples. Thank you for your creative invites into nature.
I can feel the texture of this image in my fingertips. It is not only visually well-composed, it is sensory imbued.
Lovely, now if you will just paint this for me! Love how you captured the abstracted and colorful reflections, and it’s nicely composed. You’re making me yearn for the fall now.
You are just teasing me now! There are still 3 months until our trip the the UP. This is exactly the type of colorful scene I hope to witness. The bright colors are amazing! I love the use of reflections and the array of colors. I see the “S” that Ray mentioned, but my mind saw it as a diagonal line taking entering the scene on the bottom left and exiting on the top right. That just shows that no matter how we envision our own picture, the viewer may see it differently. That does not mean that anyone is right or wrong. As they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I also like the low angle you used to take the picture too. Can’t wait till October.
This is certainly a welcome site on a hot July day. I like it being vertical because the lines created by the trees are through the length of the image in between the three groups of lily pads. There is grass in a small creates tiny lines in contrast. The beautiful color contrasts of blue and gold, green and red may be my favorite, but the relationships between the sky, trees, and lily pads are a close second:-) Another favorite!
Good morning Everyone. Wow! I am sitting here thinking about the wonderful set of comments and observations before me and hardly know where to begin. For the first time in fifteen years I am looking at a summer with no planned events, two months of planning, preparing for fall workshops, and being my own photographer. And every week I get to have a discussion with folks like you, who inspire me with you thoughts and words.
Good morning Ray. Your thoughts are always cause for reflection. It’s good to have you with us. You have wonderfully deconstructed this somewhat complex Image into its component pieces, reminding me how often a visual scene may contain so many elements, and yet break down into nothing more than a set of very simple individual things. I’m so glad you acquired Andre’s book. We came across his work several years ago when we were building the blocks of the mindfulness workshop idea. We were so struck by his analysis of the paintings he collected for discussion that he’s become a fixture of our approach. I’m certain he will serve you well, and will be an excellent companion for your adventure in New England. I hope you’re having a wonderful and thoughtful week.
Hey Nancy K. It’s always good to hear from you. I hope all is well. Your kind comment is very much appreciated…and the Upper Peninsula is a stunning place.
Hi Chuck. It’s good to have you with me. I remember from our Road Scholar time together that you are a Michigander. It’s a beautiful State and the UP is like icing on a cake. “Dystrophic” seems almost at odds with visual reality here doesn’t it. So much life everywhere you turn. The wetlands of the UP never cease to fascinate with their complexity. Thanks for your kind words.
Ah, Patrick. I am very honored to have you join us. You have taught me so much over the years, both directly and vicariously. Thank you for those kind words. It was great, too, having you join our discussion this week. Your insights into the creative process, shared with the clarity of your vision, are so much more than simple affirmations. They are like the guideposts of a journey into time well-spent. I hope we will have the pleasure of enjoying your company whenever we can. Walk in Beauty, my friend.
Hey Joani. If my talent lay in painting, I would gladly create this one for you, but I’m very glad you like it. Like you, I’m reflecting on the beauty of autumn and its ultimate arrival. Don’t want to get out ahead of myself and hope to use the next couple of months to plan for the UP, but it’s difficult to be present when the road ahead looks like Hiawatha National Forest.
Hey Kev, it’s always great to hear from you. I am so excited about being able to share the UP with you and Elizabeth. It’s going to be a wonderful adventure. Your thoughtful words remind me of an important idea: You’re right, we all see our images through the unique lens of our own experience and frame of reference. And we should not create based on how we think others will “see” our work. At the same time, I believe it’s appropriate to be cognizant of how others may see what we do to the fullest extent possible so that we can judge the experience of our viewers and adjust as we may. Hope to talk soon. Be well.
Hey Nancy T. Your thoughtful words and comments are exactly what I’ve just described to Kevin. My experience of this image is only vaguely like what you describe, and there is hardly a way that I could anticipate how you would describe what you have seen, but the, more I ingest your words and make meaning of them, the more I can anticipate in the future how you will experience what I create and will know beforehand what your attractions and distractions will be. Thus I will know how effectively I have created for myself, as well as for others. Thanks. Hope to talk soon.
This little exercise we enjoy each week is so fascinating and instructive for me that I can’t imagine not having it; and I so appreciate all that you do to make it happen. Walk in Beauty.