I find the absence of colours and foliage in the month of November a unique time in the annual cycle for taking photos. The terrain is simply present with no distraction (or focus) from spring foliage, summer blossoms or fall splendour. In November the terrain says ‘here I am, this is who I am’. No flourish. No pretention. Such nakedness. In November I experience such solidity from nature as I have the opportunity now to connect with it all – just as it is. In its true and authentic glory – the bedrock fully exposed, the fallen dead trees visibly contributing to the cycle of growth in the forest. At other times of the year this solid foundation is so easily overlooked, ignored, unappreciated.
I feel a calling to capture this experience in photos and yet there is such a challenge: it’s so much easier for me to focus on the flourish of grandeur and colours. And yet, here is the substantial foundation of it all. I’ve spent a fair bit of time in the Gats this November as the weather has been wonderful and its only now that I’m connecting with what I’d like to express in photos. So, I’m hoping I have a few more opportunities to try to capture November’s Presence.
This past Saturday I spent the morning with Harry along Chelsea Creek south of Old Chelsea working on depth of field exercises. The creek is beautiful as it flows over the falls in Old Chelsea and the small rapids and winds through steep banks, some collapsed after heavy rains. I also spent time this week in an area off Notch Rd. To me the absence of bright colours in these photos speaks of ‘November’. I’ve yet to figure out how to capture the essence of my experience of November.
