But, sometimes, life’s oddities catch my attention. It could be something that seems out of place, however slightly; something eccentric; or even something unexpected.
So, what catches my eye?
A few years ago, I was visiting some family in Toronto, and we happened to visit High Park. It was close to where they lived, and it was a gorgeous day in autumn where the trees were beginning to change. We wanted to see the autumn colours and the zoo held within the park.
As we meandered along the park’s paths, a particular tree caught my eye. This tree had an old man’s face carved into one side. The carved face wasn’t expected, but it didn’t seem entirely out of place either. It reminded me of Jack Frost getting ready to blow in the winter winds.
It was a touch of subtle character that could have been easily missed, particularly if you were in a rush. But it also had its own presence, which made you want to look at it.
I was taking colour photos because of the autumn colours, and feel that the texture of the carving is brought out by the two colours of the tree trunk.
I find myself, not only making the ordinary eye-catching, but also increasingly on the look out for this subtle character elsewhere – pushing the boundaries of what we expect to see around us. Often, it can be missed, but sometimes isn’t.
This character challenges the need for order – and I hope to capture more of it.
I was glad to meet this carved face - possibly of Jack Frost, but possibly of a soul still wanting to say something – and hope to meet some more carved faces on my photographic journey.