Barriers

In each of these photos except the last, the composition is divided sharply and clearly into broad areas. There is a division between foreground and background, between interior and exterior, and between smooth and dappled textures. The photos were taken in the woods surrounding the Auriesville Shrine, the site where three French Jesuits were martyred in a Mohawk village. The stories and scenes that surrounded the shrine seemed to be divided sharply, too; between French and and Mohawk, Huron and English; between Christian and non-Christian; between insider and outsider; between prisoner and captor.  One from the Other.

In the last picture, in the end, the Light pierces and seeps into all.

Black Forest

(I called this set of photos (taken at nearby spots on the same hike) "Black Forest" because of the sloping roof and dark wood of the cottage in the first. But though I chose the name on a whim, it stuck because I find it intriguing. What does the name "Black Forest" evoke for you? What makes the forest black - something hidden or unexpected? In both photos, there is a sense of stillness and a sense of waiting. What do you imagine will happen next?)

Morning Sun and Wind

My Scary Bike

I did it, I did it!  I conquered my well-documented fear of riding my bike on actual streets in the Terrifying City of Barreling Vehicles of Noise and Death! (Okay, I exaggerate!)

Read more about the adventure here:
http://thebirthdayexercises.blogspot.com/2012/10/day-4-i-rode-my-bicycle-and-i-did-not.html

Noisy Quiet

For more on this photo, check out my project at http://thebirthdayexercises.blogspot.com!