elements of composition
i started STILL to challenge myself to get better at composition. and is so often the case in life, i learned so much more than i would have ever imagined, but not so much about composition. i learned a tremendous amount about the flora and fauna of my special places (minnesota and southern france) which turned into a love of place i had never experinced before. i learned about how the daily habit of paying attention can become a spiritual form of daily devotion. i learned how doing even a little bit every day builds and builds into an impressive body of work surprisingly quickly–a term i call radical incrementalism. and i learned that creative expression can come in small increments, and is not limited to the grand gestures we often associate with creativity. but when it comes to composition…well, truth be told, i still feel like a beginner almost every day. i have resigned myself to the fact that i will never master composition. at last not in the way i thought i would. but what i can say, is that i did get more comfortable with simply deciding “yeah, i like that, that feels good to me. that feels done enough”. this simple composition of beach rocks is a perfect example of that. i deliberated about that black rock–does it add or detract? yes? no? yes? no? the answer wasn’t clear. but in the end i liked it this way. and that is good enough.
beach rocks (lake superior and mediterranean)
winter bloom
i spent the day playing with ChatGPT. i am using it to help me with my upcoming book promotion plan. so, when it came time to make my daily post here on STILL, i naturally turned to ChatGPT to find out what that powdery white bloom on raspberry canes is. here is the answer i got (cut and pasted):
The white bloom on raspberry canes is likely to be a natural occurrence known as “bloom” or “bloom wax.” This powdery, whitish substance is common on the canes of various berry plants, including raspberries. The bloom serves a protective function for the plant.
Here are some key points about the white bloom on raspberry canes:
- Botanical Coating: The white substance is a natural, waxy coating produced by the plant. It often appears as a powdery or dusty layer on the surface of the cane.
- Protection Against Moisture Loss: The bloom helps reduce moisture loss from the plant through a process called transpiration. By providing a thin, protective layer, it helps the plant retain moisture.
- Sunscreen Effect: The bloom also acts as a natural sunscreen, protecting the plant from excessive sunlight. It can help prevent sunburn on the canes and reduce the risk of damage caused by intense sunlight.
- Aesthetic Feature: While the bloom has practical benefits for the plant, it also contributes to the aesthetic appeal of the canes. Many people find the whitish coating visually interesting and characteristic of healthy berry plants.
- Seasonal Variation: The intensity of the bloom can vary throughout the growing season and may be more noticeable on young, actively growing canes.
It’s important to note that the presence of bloom on raspberry canes is generally a natural and healthy aspect of the plant. However, if you observe other unusual symptoms such as discoloration, abnormal growths, or signs of pests or diseases, it’s advisable to further investigate and address any potential issues to ensure the overall health of your raspberry plants.
murmurations of starlings
these leaves look tethered together. they remind me of the murmurations of starlings that used to grace the late autumn skies over our beloved southern french village of autignac. huge carpets of starlings, all making their way south to africa for the winter, used to fly overhead daily, twisting and turning themselves into funnels, spirals, and columns before spontaneously dispersing into scattered grains of rice, and then starting the whole organic process all over again. i loved the sight of them with all my heart. but if they were flying low, it could sometimes trigger a sensation of vertigo, as if the whole space time continuum were warping in real time, and taking me with it.
winter brown leaves
what if?
i often wonder what STILL would look like f i lived on the coast. my daughter lives in california, so my daydreams are often specific to the pacific coast of california. i think about all that colorful kelp and seaweed that washes up on the beaches there, and what i might be able to do with them. perhaps i will get an opportunity some day. i would need some time to familiarize myself with the abundance of treasures; time to play and experiment. perhps an artist residency. this dried fern frond looks a little bit like california kelp to me. it makes one dream.
dried fern frond
a two week window
fall colors are done. the leaves are mostly down. and, as of today, the cold winds from canada have pushed their way down and over our town, where they will prevail until march. while that all sounds a bit bleak, november is truly one of my favorite months. i love the long site-lines through the woods with all the leaves down. i love the wrap-around sunrises and sunsets we get as a result of the low solar angles. i love the “skies like gray blankets” that provide perfect lighting for making my STILL photos. i love the deep slate-blue color of the lake. i love evenings by the fire. and…i love all the autumn wildflower stems that are still available for me to forage and photograph, because the snows have not yet arrived to batter and bend them into submission. this is a short season, before the snow arrives, maybe a couple weeks if we are lucky. a brief and under-appreciated transition into winter.
late autumn cone flower stem
This is one of those topics best explored with friends, a good bottle of wine, and crusty bread with gooey cheese! Is it an issue of ability to compose or self confidence?
Ha! You cut right to the chase you rascal, Most people who know me would say I have an excess of self-confidence…so that needs to be factored in.
Perhaps I am misconstruing what composition means, or rather what it means to compose.
It’s really a shame you don’t live closer Ginny. i would love that night by fire with wine and cheese! xo
Too bad I didn’t stay in Oshkosh where I was born.
We could/should factor gender into this topic? The family structure you were raised in/birth position. And your friends’ perception vs self perception, which is more valid? Oh, we’d be up past midnight, for sure! And most likely more than one bottle of wine, lol.