Four-Fold Symmetrical Studies
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Introduction
These symmetrical photographs were constructed from images I had made from three earlier projects:
Studies I
Studies II : Monk's Quirky Music (a project consisting of Studies photographs)
Thing Centered Photographs
I encourage you to visit these projects, so you can see the original single images which were used in the construction of the Four-fold symmetrical photographs and read the introductory texts. Also you might want to visit my this link: On Constructing the Four-Fold Symmetrical Photographs & The Straight Photograph.
It's important to know, I think, that the original prints for the Studies and Monk's Quirky Music projects were miniature gelatin silver prints, 3.5 inch square in size, in other words associated through size with the snap-shot tradition. The Thing-Centered Photographs on the other hand are large inkjet prints, 18x18". The symmetrical photographs are inkjet prints, 13 x 16.5"
Regarding the Four-Fold Symmetrical Studies
It seems to me the imaginative space in the symmetrical photographs is much larger than one would expect from four duplicated, miniature sized images. There's a surprising transformation, an expansion of space that moves from the center point outwards in the symmetrical images.
However I often feel I'm being pulled into the center space of these symmetrical images by something like a gravitational force. This is not unrelated to my experience of photographing for the original miniature Studies. That is, when I was photographing, I would imaginatively inhabit the space inside the thing.
Each Study was an exercise in spontaneity, involving an intuitive leap inwards and a heartfelt willingness to let go and allow the picture possibility to emerge. Only after the exposure was made, the film developed, and the print was finished could I see what gifts had been given me through the process, what message the thing photographed was wanting to communicate to me.
However I often feel I'm being pulled into the center space of these symmetrical images by something like a gravitational force. This is not unrelated to my experience of photographing for the original miniature Studies. That is, when I was photographing, I would imaginatively inhabit the space inside the thing.
Each Study was an exercise in spontaneity, involving an intuitive leap inwards and a heartfelt willingness to let go and allow the picture possibility to emerge. Only after the exposure was made, the film developed, and the print was finished could I see what gifts had been given me through the process, what message the thing photographed was wanting to communicate to me.
My experience of making and seeing the Four-fold symmetrical studies photographs is very similar to the exuberant freedom I felt when making the miniature Studies photographs. The transformations that happen in the Four-fold process feel spontaneous, and natural; the process yields unpredictably magical, surprising results!
When I look at the symmetrical photographs I'm no longer seeing the thing or place photographed (a puddle in a parking lot; thrown straw cutting through a shaft of sunlight inside a barn, etc.) but rather, the Four-fold transformation takes me into yet another, new interior world, perhaps related to what Rumi, the great Sufi poet-saint, was referring to when he wrote:
When I look at the symmetrical photographs I'm no longer seeing the thing or place photographed (a puddle in a parking lot; thrown straw cutting through a shaft of sunlight inside a barn, etc.) but rather, the Four-fold transformation takes me into yet another, new interior world, perhaps related to what Rumi, the great Sufi poet-saint, was referring to when he wrote:
The Real Gardens and Flowers are within;
they are within man’s heart, not outside.
Click on the images to enlarge them
I invite you to click on the images to enlarge them so you can get closer to the images and perhaps enter more deeply into the picture's space - at least to the extent this technology will allow . . . To go even deeper, you can use your imagination.
Click on the images to enlarge
Four-Fold Symmetrical Studies
Symmetrical Studies - Thrown straw ball 13x16.5"
Symmetrical Studies - Tire and hoop 13x16.5"
Symmetrical Studies - Paper plate, center hole, plant shadows 13x16.5"
Symmetrical Studies - Bent fence #1 13x16.5"
Symmetrical Studies - Road Salt on blacktop 13x16.5"
Symmetrical Studies - Pebbles on a sidewalk 13x16.5"
Symmetrical Studies - Stone and fence shadow 13x16.5"
Symmetrical Studies - Parking lot puddle, shadow, white line 13x16.5"
Symmetrical Studies - Inside a leaf 13x16.5"
Symmetrical Thing Centered Photograph - Beach sand shadows 13x16.5"
Symmetrical Thing Centered Photograph - Pole in water (inversion) 13x16.5"
Symmetrical Thing Centered Photograph - Three dots 13x16.5"
Symmetrical Thing Centered Photograph - Snow covered garage roof 13x16.5"
Symmetrical Thing Centered Photograph - Parking lot lines 13x16.5"
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Related projects:
Welcome Page to The Departing Landscape website which includes the complete hyperlinked listing of my online photography projects dating back to the 1960's, my resume, contact information, and more.
This page was first posted June 20, 2012 and then revised many times.
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