Tany Alexander
Perhaps strangely – as a person who loves words, beautiful turns of phrase and the light of understanding that well-crafted writing brings – I am quickly exhausted by talking and often by reading and listening, too.
I have a wonderful camera on my phone. When the mood takes me, or when I need a rest from work or ‘being me’, it gives me an easy way to capture things I see. With a bit of – to be honest I am not sure whether to call it ‘effort’ or ‘grace’ – I can start the process of forgetting what I think I know about trees, leaves, sky, water, or bicycles (my current favourite things to look at) and instead be alert to colour, shape, texture, pattern, and rhythm and the relationships and conjunctions between things. It is hugely freeing, and very joyful.
In the picture of the bicycle wheel above, I was drawn first by the vivid colours of the leaves, then by the unusual patterns of decay on them. Next I noticed the contrast between the wheel – and its shiny human-made ‘wheeliness’ and its lovely shape. I took a number of pictures before I chose this one – with its satisfying juxtaposition of curve (not too much, just enough to suggest ‘bicycle’) and the patterns made by the leaves.
The slanty tree with its magnificent trunk is in Christ Church meadow. I have walked past it dozens of times, but on this particular day the light was striking it in such a beautiful way, highlighting the undulations in its trunk and a strangely human- like figure at its base.
Looking down, or up can be a wonderful rest from ‘straight ahead’ but as an adult I seldom have an excuse to do it. In the view of the luminous blue sky framed by lacy branches, I was struck by the orderly disorderliness of the row of broken clouds, and the feeling of infinity broken only by the cheeky lamppost trying to masquerade as a tree.
Giving myself permission during lockdown to spend time taking photographs has been hugely healing and encouraging to me. It’s a way of developing a relationship with myself, exploring what interests and delights my eye. But maybe more than anything it reminds me to look beyond the obvious and be alert to everyday magic.
Back to February 2021 Newsletter Main Page
Forty-Three Newsletter • Number 502 • February 2021
Oxford Friends Meeting
43 St Giles, Oxford OX1 3LW