Donald Miller
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- Dec 21, 2002
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Sometimes, it takes me some time to formulate in words what I am feeling. This thread has been an example of that experience. What I realize this morning is that I am stepping out of a mold of trying to emulate another body of work by someone else whether that be of subject matter or of manner of presentation. I have done that at times in the past without my realization. Not all of my earlier work is meaningless or derivative. This time is just a further refining of my photographic and perhaps "lifes" vision.
I want my photography to portray deeper meanings then the simple portrayal of a grand landscape that has been done before. I am not saying that grand landscapes are inherently inferior. It is just that they are not conveying through imagery the meaning that I see and want to record.
By way of explanation of what I mean...the central image that I have posted in the technical gallery (the rock pool--1989)...to tell you what that image means to me will possibly tell you where I am with this. To me the water in the rock pool is symbolic of "mind". In the area of the water we find the stones below the surface and the reflection of the tree on the surface. This is symbolic to me of the conscious and unconscious mind. In the image the tip of the tree is apparently touching the edge of the immersed stone. This point of tension represents the connection within us. The tree is not seen directly even though it is portrayed. It is a reflection on the surface of "mind". The reflection is not the tree itself whereas the stones beneath the surface are "more objectively real" even though covered by "mind". This brings up the question "is the apparently objective true reality?" The shape of the rocks enclosing the pool are also symbolic. The right hand rock is similar to the shape of a human knee and thigh. The pool itself appears to be within a "place of birth". While I don't normally indicate to others the meaning of my images. I thought that perhaps in this case that I would since I seem incapable of relating what I have felt by words alone. Forgive me if I have bored you by this discription.
As another example is an image that I exposed in the same time frame 1988-89. I have posted this here before but I will post it again for purposes of illustration. As Ed indicated this was a serrendipitous event. This image is of a doorway indicating another doorway but also more importantly a source of great light beyond the second doorway. The doorways are to me symbolic of points of passage...points of transition, if you will, during our life. The indication of a source of light beyond and to the right of the second doorway is an indication of another possibility that while indicated is not seen. That, apparently, there exists another choice beyond the objectively presented ones.
This is what I mean about questions asked...not everything shown.
I realize that some do not go into the meaning of their images to the extent that I do and feel. I think that I need to say that there is nothing wrong for the level of practice...no matter what it is. I would, however, appreciate your views and thoughts on my explanation as it relates to these two images. Thank you.
I want my photography to portray deeper meanings then the simple portrayal of a grand landscape that has been done before. I am not saying that grand landscapes are inherently inferior. It is just that they are not conveying through imagery the meaning that I see and want to record.
By way of explanation of what I mean...the central image that I have posted in the technical gallery (the rock pool--1989)...to tell you what that image means to me will possibly tell you where I am with this. To me the water in the rock pool is symbolic of "mind". In the area of the water we find the stones below the surface and the reflection of the tree on the surface. This is symbolic to me of the conscious and unconscious mind. In the image the tip of the tree is apparently touching the edge of the immersed stone. This point of tension represents the connection within us. The tree is not seen directly even though it is portrayed. It is a reflection on the surface of "mind". The reflection is not the tree itself whereas the stones beneath the surface are "more objectively real" even though covered by "mind". This brings up the question "is the apparently objective true reality?" The shape of the rocks enclosing the pool are also symbolic. The right hand rock is similar to the shape of a human knee and thigh. The pool itself appears to be within a "place of birth". While I don't normally indicate to others the meaning of my images. I thought that perhaps in this case that I would since I seem incapable of relating what I have felt by words alone. Forgive me if I have bored you by this discription.
As another example is an image that I exposed in the same time frame 1988-89. I have posted this here before but I will post it again for purposes of illustration. As Ed indicated this was a serrendipitous event. This image is of a doorway indicating another doorway but also more importantly a source of great light beyond the second doorway. The doorways are to me symbolic of points of passage...points of transition, if you will, during our life. The indication of a source of light beyond and to the right of the second doorway is an indication of another possibility that while indicated is not seen. That, apparently, there exists another choice beyond the objectively presented ones.
This is what I mean about questions asked...not everything shown.
I realize that some do not go into the meaning of their images to the extent that I do and feel. I think that I need to say that there is nothing wrong for the level of practice...no matter what it is. I would, however, appreciate your views and thoughts on my explanation as it relates to these two images. Thank you.