Ah well … I guess our flights of fancy are on different wavelengths!

Thank you so much, Nina! You’re WAY too kind – but I’ll take your compliment anyway!! I didn’t really see behind the same old, same old with the trees until I got my camera – so I’m glad it’s opened up a new world to you too!

Oh Vicki, as usual you are so kind! Being self-effacing is a habit that’s worked for me for a long time – so is the urge to refrain from bragging!! Maybe it’s time to break out of those learned responses and move forward. I HAVE come to terms with being a traveller who takes photographs – NOT a photographer who travels!! There’s a difference, as I found when I asked a ‘real’ photographer where his image was taken – and was surprised to have him respond ‘does it matter?’ Hell, yeah! To me, at least – and that defines one of the main attitudinal differences between me and ‘them’. I try to capture the sense of the place, not just take a perfect photo. Which is just as well 😀 Have a great week ahead, my friend!

Picasso once said, “Every Child is [born] an Artist. The problem is staying an artist when you grow up”.

Many elitists in the art world condemn anyone who don’t conform to their vision or taste. Sometimes, it’s a very narrow vision.
Don’t let the opinion of any art snobs make you feel anything less than what you were born as… an artist.

Should you exhibit examples of the stunning work which you bring to us here on your blog, you would gain much admiration from the viewing public and I’m sure, be highly awarded.

You say, “my eye is nothing without the lens”. I don’t agree.
Your eye IS a lens. The human eye and a camera have many similarities.

The camera is a tool – just like a paintbrush.
There are skills involved in using both.
No matter how expensive the tool is, how it is used is what makes the difference between one who visualises the finished image – weaving a narrative around a picture – and someone who simply views and clicks.
It’s a creative process.

Everyone can take a photo. Point and shoot.
But, an artist can make others see what they saw at that very inspirational moment of capture, long after the subject has disappeared, the “awesome location” has been left behind or that magical light has faded.

That is Art.

“My eye must surely be the most (maybe only?!?!) artistic part of me!!”
Not true.
The eyes and the brain collaborate – the brain computes what the eye sees in just 13 milliseconds.
And, the brain is the hub of creativity…

Sorry for the long ramble, but I don’t like to see someone with the talent that you have, be too self-effacing.
You are an artist.
A very humble one, but an artist nonetheless 🙂

***

I have often sat beneath an ancient tree and listened to its calming susurrations as the wind played gently among its branches and leaves, and felt the ground pulse with vibrations from its network of roots far below.
There is much beauty and wisdom and wonder in trees – as your stunning photos portray so well.

Images of liquid gold and lavender rippled abstract are breath taking, among these most wondrous examples of wooded sentinels.
You honour them well.

Thank you Rose! A little contemplation is a wonderful thing – and not just for you. It means my work is done!! As inspiration, our FAAAAABULOUS Aussie trees take a lot of beating – but they’ve also inspired me to look at other everyday objects differently! Stay tuned!!

The good thing about abstract photos is that it’s easier to hide your mistakes, Kathy! So maybe it’ll be my new forte?! Trees are so cool anyway – I’m glad I could show them in a different light.