“That point in time just as the last leaf is about to drop, as the remaining petal is about to fall; that moment captures everything beautiful and sorrowful about life. Mono no aware, the Japanese call it.” – Tan Twan Eng
Walking in nature has always been a time of reflection and meditation for me. It became even more important during the pandemic. I typically gather plants on my walks to be photographed or used in lumen prints. Here, the specimens are phytograms, which are similar to lumens:
Lumens are created by placing organic material like plants (or inorganic objects like string or paper clips) on black-and-white gelatin silver photographic paper. Phytograms are created on black-and-white sheet film. Both are exposed to the UV light of the Sun, then washed and fixed.
Each specimen held wonder and gave me so much joy - first in discovering them and next in seeing the results. Every leaf or catkin or petal reminded me how lucky I was (and am) to have the space to roam and forage, to be reminded of all that is dear.