Autumnal Leaves

I didn't grow up looking at fields of wheat or ocean crashing into the rocks or whatever else the word "nature" reminds you of. I grew up looking at the sky in between tall buildings, or what little I glimpsed at from the train window, during my 90-minute commute to school, or 1 hour 45 minutes commute to work, back in Tokyo. So when I read about artists who are inspired by their environment, by nature, I feel half envious, half doubtful, that they really get inspired by... "nature".

Still, this is our 11th year looking out of our bed room window at a giant liquid amber tree, and for me, autumnal leaves and trees are the best source of inspiration in the colors and shapes they hold, in even one branch, let alone the whole tree.

So without further ado, these are some images I collected on a rugby field last Thursday.

I am especially enamored with the way nature combines reds/purples with greens, and the way a boring old mid-brown becomes golden when placed next to more vibrant colors.

What also pleased me was that I got a bit innovative. Not being satisfied with a) the composition restrictions of still photography, and b) not being able to photograph the movements created by wind, I started tampering with the video function of my small camera.

I tried eight footage, and none were of good quality, but I'm proud of myself for thinking outside of my tiny, rigid square and attempting something new. Here's an example.


This was my "movement" footage. Looking at this, one cannot escape shouting, "I have, I have!!" to Rossetti.