November 2022: Foliage x2

 

First up, deciduous foliage. More specifically, northern Michigan forest in autumn. There are few places on the planet which can rival this display of beautiful foliage. This photo was taken at Boyne Mountain Resort, and the bridge you see above the chairlift is the newly opened Skybridge.  At 1200 feet long, it is the longest timber-constructed suspension bridge in the world. And at only 5 feet wide, it is an interesting walk when the wind is up...suspension bridges sway!  I will undoubtedly post some more photos from this shoot in the future, as the colors this year were fantastic!

To contrast plants which shed their foliage, here is one of the many Echeveria species. It is a succulent, and does not shed its leaves in the fall. Rather, it cycles through them much as we humans cycle through hair strands, although these leaves serve a much different purpose. Similar to cacti, succulents store water in their leaves in order to survive the long periods of drought where they are found naturally. Succulents are no less beautiful than the deciduous plants, but in a much different way and on a much smaller scale. 

A lesson in humility and humanity can be found in this comparison. One which should give us all comfort.

I would be remiss if I did not give a shout-out to "Mr. Boyne Mountain" himself, Dan Mills, for providing not just tons of useful information about the Resort and the Skybridge, but for taking the time to make us all feel so warmly welcomed. His love for the place is abundant and genuine, and that is really the entire difference between someone who is a true asset and someone who is just another employee. Ultimately, that is the difference between craft and art. Something I appreciate very much. :)

October 2022: Double Doors

 

This is another photograph taken at the old Traverse City State Hospital. It is two identical doors leading into the same room. I have no idea why an architect would do this, but here it is. 

For whatever reason, this particular view is one that I am drawn to every time I go through this building. Maybe it is the metaphors it presents which I am attracted to: two different options leading to the same conclusion, things which are not as alike or (as different) as they initially seem...or maybe it is just that the lighting is always really interesting here.