Fall is a time of decomposition leading to rebirth in the spring.
Fall is a time of decomposition leading to rebirth in the spring. Seeing it this way shows how death is necessary for life. Modern (though not all) humans try to escape death by not thinking about it, and when it does happen we do our best to protect the body of the deceased from decomposition, though this is beginning to change.
Walking through one of our local preserves enabled me to photograph some fall events. My photos are biased, I selected the more aesthetic subjects. To see a few more, go to my on-line gallery.
Dead wood when carefully composed and shot renders some great studies in form and texture. Take, for example, the photo on the left. As wood decomposes it returns nutrients and carbon to the soil thus providing for new life. However, in the meantime it provides for some interesting views, in this case several of those pleasing triangles outlined with the detail of their wood frames.
I call the photo on the right Quantum Blossums because it reminds me of those subatomic particles popping into existence from nothing, then within a fraction of a nano-second diappearing back into nothing. These transient particles are what comprise atoms. Particle physicists have demonstrated this time and again when they smash atoms in high energy particle accelerators.
This means that all observable matter (we don’t yet know about dark matter), including us, are composed of constantly appearing and disappearing matter! No divine intervention necessary. If this blows your mind, don’t feel too bad. It blows the minds of particle physicists also. The quantum world is a probalistic world, one without cause and effect that creates the macro universe in which we live where cause and effect are mathematically, experimentally, and visually observed.
Have you heard this one? A guy goes into a quantum cafe and orders a dry martini (shaken, not stirred). The bartender says, “Well, maybe.” The guy ends up with a Bloody Mary.
You can find more of my macro fine art shots here.
Up until now, I’ve been photographing deadwood, freehand. But after a more critical review of these photos, I’ve decided that using a tripod enables more consistent high quality photos. There are two reasons for this. First, using a tripod makes it easier to compose the scene. Looking at the live view on a tripod is much different than looking through the viewfinder while holding the camera. It’s really much easier to notice any flaws with the angle of view, or the distractions “hiding” in the periphery. Second, the technical quality of the image is better since I can use a remote shutter release, allowing me to set a low ISO, longer exposures, and higher f stops. Manual focusing is also easier since I can more precisely select the key focus point for best depth-of-field, and magnify that portion 10x for critical focusing.
You can see my most recent work (appearing in descending order of date taken) at my on-line gallery.
Recently, I’ve been thinking about emphasizing form and texture in my photographs, as opposed to much of the landscape work I’ve done. This led me to consider photographing deadwood. No, I’m not referring to those non-performers in the working world. Deadwood is certainly readily
Ellison Park, Monroe County
available. Just take a walk through the woods and you’ll see a vast array of the stuff. Most of the time we don’t pay much attention to the rotting logs and branches along our way, unless we’re looking for mushrooms, moss, fungi, or insects. But deadwood is a critical part of the ecological cycle. Although we think of deadwood as merely dead trees, deadwood provides nutrients for a range of plants and animals, as well as a new generation of trees. The last stage of organic decomposition produces new soil. The whole process is identical to what takes place in a compost pile or bin. The dead thus produce new life. As you view these photograph’s you might consider this upbeat deadwood perspective.
Millions of tons of wood are produced every year in the forests of the world. Observation, however, tells us that the sum-total of wood upon he surface of the earth remains fairly constant from year to year and from century to century. We must, therefore, conclude that there are destructive agencies at work by which millions of tons of wood are destroyed annually.
A. H. R. Buller, preeminent mycologist, Economic Biology, 1906, 1, p. 101
Ellison Park, Monroe County
Since light levels tends to be lower in the woods, due to foliage and shadows, supplemental flash is necessary for producing high quality photographs. I’m using a Canon Speedlight 430 EX II with a short off-camera cable so I have control over the flash’s direction.
I’d appreciate receiving your comments or criticism.
For more information on wood decomposition, see Trees for Life.
Stephen Fielding Images 