I have come to appreciate images more and more as I struggle to create new images of my own.
The original photographs from which this image was layered, blended and manipulated were taken whilst leaning over a wall looking at the Aysgarth Falls in Yorkshire. I can see that, of course, but the viewer who was not present at that moment would not. Perhaps having given a clue, it is possible to make out the water on the lower left, and the white of some of the falls across on the mid-right. The odd tree is apparent along the skyline.
It is this image on the left by Brett Weston that I credit with kicking off my love of photography.
It is a very simple image, dated 1971 and taken somewhere in Holland. There is no further detail of the location, although I am currently planning a trip to the Netherlands with the hope of capturing an image of my own as homage to this one.
I don't see the world in black and white - I relish the beautiful colour palette of the natural world - but this image helped me to see the possibility of form, texture and composition that black and white images allow and encourage. The simplicity of the range of tones emphasises the complex subtleties of mist and reflected trees. The result is an image which invites the eye to stay and linger - echoing the stillness of the original scene.
It is quite a long way from being inspired the image of Weston's to making the abstract (technically more post-impressionist, I would say) type of pictures above. I could write a list of people whose works inspired me by opening up a new set of possibilities of capturing images. Their artistry, and especially those generous enough to post Youtube videos explaining their thought processes, creates a new way of seeing reality.
The power of an image to create a new way of seeing has been on my mind as I have been slowly - very slowly - reading Jesus' words in Matthew 5 that we know as the Beatitudes. Nine simple statements which describe those being blessed by God whose artistry captures a new way of seeing the world around. Each seemingly simple statement generates a complex image through which Jesus invites us to make out the terrain of a different place; to begin to be able to make out its textures and patterns of a hitherto unknown landscape.
"Blessed are the poor in spirit", he begins, "for theirs is the kingdom of heaven". I found myself pondering who the poor in spirit might be. Perhaps, those South Sudanese refugees we met in Pagyrinia back in January? And yet, their faith was a real inspiration to me. In comparison it was me who was poor in spirit! I think that is more the question Jesus would have me consider - when am I poor in spirit? When am I most ready to depend totally on God, rather than my own resources?
Six weeks into my reflecting on the Beatitudes I am on the fourth - less than half way. As I have read each one, this has become my question - if that is what it takes to be blessed, what do I need to do?
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