[-photography, collecting-]

by Nancy S.M. Waldman

haul

Originally uploaded by nuanc.

This photo is one I took two days ago, after becoming inspired by Manu’s playground photograph.

I was, afterward, tuned into the sun coming through my windows, the play of light and shadow on objects and the transformative power of the sun.

This photo is of a group of objects that have gathered themselves on a shelf in my laundry/mud/back entrance room. I use the passive voice because that’s precisely what it is, an unintentional grouping. It’s not a true display, as no one sees it except whoever does the laundry (mostly me ).

Most of the objects are things I’ve picked up while walking in the woods near our house. There are fragments of china that were thrown into a backyard rubbish pile decades ago. There are bottles and broken bottles and a perfect little teacup that my dog brought out of the woods. The wheelbarrow is not a found object, but is one I can’t remember acquiring, so it has the feel of something found.

These objects are outside things that have found their way into my house, but they are just barely inside the door. Because of this, I like the way the photograph shows the outside and the inside. They almost merge into one.

When we turn our attention to ordinary things in a creative way - whether by photographing, drawing, painting, or repurposeing them - we first see them in a new way and then we appreciate them anew or, maybe for the first time.

Today, choose to focus your attention on something - or someone - in a new way. It will alter the way you perceive them and you’ll be reminded that appreciation is its own reward.

Here’s an article on gathering and collecting
with links to the results of our Collectors Survey

Originally published in February 2006 in the Practically Creative blog