Unexpected

Would I ever guess this was a branch of a yew tree? Well, truth be told, after doing these shots of tree bark for almost two years, I’ve gotten used to seeing pretty much any color or texture or shape in virtually any tree. When I look closely, when I’m paying attention - usually with the aid of a lens - there’s just all sorts of surprises in store. That, to me, is what makes it rewarding.

This image won’t remind viewers of topographic maps or landscapes. It doesn’t resolve into those forms. Yet it has a quality of mystery, as in “what exactly am I looking at?” And that question lingers longer than I would expect.

That is, in a sense, the blessing of the image. It allows me to feel that visual confusion which means I’m looking hard at something. And it matters less what it resolves into than that I’ve spent the time and attention to look closely. Yes, blessing…