I'm not as articulate as I'd like to be when it comes to writing about the images I capture so I turned to my friend,
John Wolf, and asked him if he'd like to say something regarding the above image. Here's what he wrote:
The Traces We Leave
Knowing
my love of metaphor in photographs, my friend Howard sent me the
picture above and asked my opinion. I immediately thought of a
series on impermanence
that I recently completed, and how well his image would fit that group.
But what intrigues me even more than the deteriorating leaf, with all
its rich symbolism, is the trace it has left behind. For in that
impression, stamped now on the window sill, is clear proof of the leaf's
pure form, just as it was in all the perfection and greenness of
summer. Of course, that too must pass, but for now, at least, it lingers
on, outliving its shriveling source.
Forensic
scientists have a maxim that says, "every contact leaves a trace."
Finding that trace is the heart of their work. Today forensic science
has become so advanced that even absent any visible residue, such as
smooth metal wiped clean of fingerprints, techniques involving heat and
humidity can reveal evidence sufficient to build a solid case. They now
know, for example, that immediately upon contact, finger and metal begin
a process of chemical union, as on a microscopic level the print
actually becomes an indelible feature of the metal. Although hidden from
the naked eye, to the scientist it's as obvious as the alleged face of
Christ on the Shroud of Turin.
We humans leave traces too. The Hindu word samskars and Buddhists term kunzhi namshe
identify the traces we embed in our consciousness. These terms describe
a strange repository of subtle, lingering impressions born of every
action we perform with intention—physical, verbal, or mental—and even
the slightest aversion or desire. Traces of everything we do, Eastern
sages teach, etch themselves forever into the mind-stream, coloring our
present and driving our future. Yes, even our thoughts; perhaps more so our thoughts.
In their book Thought-Forms,
Theosophists Annie Basant and Charles Leadbeater describe thoughts as
material things made of subtle physical matter. Each of us, they write,
travels through space enclosed in a cage built of our habitual patterns
of thought. Until we raise our consciousness and master thought and
feeling, they say, we see nothing as it really is, but only vague
residuals of our own thinking, which color and distort experience like
badly made glass.
Do
I read too much into photographs? I wonder sometimes. But the best
images, in my view, contain all the richness and suggestiveness of good
poetry. Contemplating them and their transcendent power is one of the
real pleasures of art. Howard's beautiful leaf-koan has made me consider
what I am leaving behind. We may think the Hindus, Buddhists, and
Theosophists cited above are nuts. But who can argue with the practice
of living our lives as though our every action matters. I prefer to
believe that everything we do lingers on, like a fragrance, not only
enveloping us, but offering their traces—of hate or love, sorrow or joy,
indifference or compassion—to everyone they touch.
My colleague, Rainer Schär, and I went down to the Zürisee the evening of August 1 and photographed anyone who wanted to have their picture taken. It was quite an amusing evening. I called these guys "The Sopranos". They didn't know what I was talking about . . .
This was a fun moment. It was the first day of a three day conference series.
This is Guy Chardon, head of Alstom Power in Baden, Switzerland, giving the opening speech to kick off a two-day event held at the Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten in Schluchsee, Germany.
Esthi Regli is quite a lovely lady. It was a real pleasure getting to photograph her birthday party at the Restaurant Waldmannsburg.
This wedding took place in Merlischachen which is just below Rigi on the Vierwaldstätersee. Even though the weather was a bit cloudy it didn't put a damper on the day's events. Not only are Judith & Peter a great couple but their family & friends where all so much fun as well.
