The Way We See It: flowers

Saturday, March 16, 2013

Almanac

Tiger Lilly (Lilium columbianum) - Jasper NP, Canada
Canon 5D Mark ii + Canon 100mm f2.8L IS Macro

On March 16, 2012 the temperature in Stillwater, MN peaked at 80.1 ℉ (26.7 ℃). The echoes of spring embraced anyone who cared to listen to the sounds of red-winged blackbirds that reverberated throughout the morning air. Our tepid winter was ending with a whimper, and a premature summer seemed to be on the horizon. Thoughts of unruly students ready to declare mutiny were almost as frightening as my fears of climate instability. The year was one of the warmest in Minnesota, drought gripped the Midwest, and fierce hurricanes battered the East Coast. Meanwhile, my students succumbed to cabin fever and quickly lost interest in anything I was selling. 2012 was a year for the record books.

Prairie Smoke (Geum triflorum) - Jasper NP, Canada
Canon 5D Mark ii + Canon 100mm f2.8L IS Macro

Today is March 16, 2013. The morning low was 17 ℉ (8.3 ℃), and the high temperature soared to a whopping 27 ℉ (-2.8 ℃); what a difference a year makes. There are no red-winged blackbirds or great blue herons declaring territories, and we are bracing for a another winter storm. While I happily embrace the return to normalcy, I am still fearful of our climate's unpredictability. The new normal might best be described as abnormal. What was, no longer is, and what will be, is now more uncertain than ever. Is the drought over or will it persist? Will another hurricane destroy the coast while tornados terrorize the heartland? Your guess is as good as mine.

While I'm certain that the Farmer's Almanac once offered valuable insight about the emergence of spring flowers, I doubt its predictions will be any more accurate than the weekend weather forecast. Sure, this "normal" winter has been a respite from recent history, but to claim that we are back to normal would be an admission of ignorance. The data's in, the future climate promises to be a wild ride.

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Tip #70: Step Away From Yourself

Aquatic Flowers - Costa Rica
Canon 5D markII + Canon 180 f3.5L Macro @ f4.0

It is comforting to hide behind a false construct like “writer’s block” and “creative deficits.” At a moment of despair, we might claim to have lost the ability to be unique, to say something new, or to see differently. These, I fear, are simply excuses that reward our inherent desire to be lazy.

Bamboo Orchid (Arundina bambusifolia) - Costa Rica
Canon 5D markII + Canon 180 f3.5L Macro @ f4.0

Nature Photo Tip #70 falls within the despair I have just described. I am tired after a long week of work, I am bored with my library of images, and I fear that I am losing my capacity to “see.” Does this sense of loss sound familiar to you? I experience these feelings regularly, and eventually break free from the self-doubt. Fortunately, research is on my side. While the crutch may be a comfortable one, writer’s block and creative lapses do not exist. What exists is the resistance to do the hard work of writing or being creative. It is not easy to write with clarity, to see differently, or to create something new. However, at the core of our humanity is a complex brain that continually invents and creates. New ideas from old unfold, twist about, and scream to be released. Yet, we are faced with the challenge of articulating this infinite creativity into something real... something that others can see.

Sepia Bromeliad Bloom - Costa Rica
Canon 7D + Canon 300mm f2.8L IS @ f4.0

When I find myself mired in a creative funk, I work harder instead of less. I reflect on my past work and abandon it like a freed prisoner. I step away from myself and try something new. The images presented are departure from my norm. These are not my typical subjects nor do they reflect my signature image processing style. Don’t let yourself hide behind a false construct, there is no lapse of creativity. Step away from yourself and do the hard work.