Ask Five Times- Can I do that?

Over the last two years, I have been moving past  objectively showing the things I love in nature towards a more subjective result based on why they engage me.  The aim is to build a style that has more meaning.  Sakichi Toyoda of Toyota Motor Company fame introduced the approach of asking why five times.  For art, this hopefully will lead to images having stronger meaning.  

At left begins an example from a series of three images that I captured one year ago.  It is a beautiful objective image that defines the subject. Let's ask about the meaning:

1. See the rich colors in the bird.
2. It's a beautiful blue sky day.
3. The apple blossoms look nice.
4. The focus is sharp.  Ho hum.
   
5. ....sort of running out of meaning.
   

 

 Move to the second image and try for five better whys:

1. The Oriole is after something in the flowers.
   
2. Does it mean there is nectar in the blossoms?
3. There is something to be learned here.
4. If there isn't nectar, are there insects maybe?
5. What is to be learned next?

 

 

On to a third image seeking greater meaning for the five whys:

1. Wow, there are little yellow caterpillars inside the apple blossoms.  Look in his beak.
   
2. It's not nectar.
3. Orioles are visiting the apple trees for protein.
4. This is unexpected!
5. Next year I should check the trees for this.

 

The third images shifts my style from a mug shot to showing a relationship between bird, tree and insect.  It has more meaning. 

Note:  In April 27, 2023,  the same tree is in blossom and there are no caterpillars, and hence no Orioles.

If at this point you are lacking interest in the five why's exercise, it is fine to just enjoy the pics absent the text. 

That is the background to what I pursued in April while I was in the Washington area on family business.  It's a far different locale than my strongly rural Finger Lakes home.  Could I create meaningful images in this new neighborhood with limited natural scenes?  Can I answer the why question five times?  Here goes my test.

Rock Creek on an April Morning

 

1. There is a surprising wildness so close to the sounds of DC morning traffic.
2. The foreground pulls me into layers in middle and far that feel rural.
   
3. The spring greens are the same as I'd see at home in the Finger Lakes. 
4. A city can be inviting. No trash to see seen.  Bravo.
   
5. Rock Creek has a restorative power for residents, and me.

Another good place is Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, Maryland.  It's a Montgomery County Park.  Early mornings are quiet and beautiful.  Here is why I always enjoy my visits.

Pavilion at Brookside Gardens- Wheaton

1. The hallmark of Brookside garden designs are rich foregrounds that welcome the eyes to explore.
2. Exploring, I find layers to search in near, mid and far layers.  It's far from stale.
   
3. The visitor immediately wants to find the path to the pagoda overlooking the lake.
4. The reflections on the lake double upon the distant background.  
5. The park is a refuge from the hectic crowded city.
   

There is another magical place in Brookside Gardens in April when the Wisteria is in bloom.

 

The Wisteria Bench

1. Who could pass up a chance to sit on this bench? 
2. The flowers have a delicious perfume.  The photo helps to remember it.
3. The color of  wisteria blooms and the surrounding greenery are ephemeral. 
4. Knowing the flowers will soon be gone keeps you lingering a bit longer.
   
5. This is a calming.  I dream of sitting here next year with my 1/1/2 year old granddaughter.
   

 

The Purity of a Dogwood Flower 

 

 

1. Here I see the purity of the beautiful Dogwood without distractions.
2. My eyes always start at the white, which is as I intended.  
   
3. The branches support my eyes exploration of white petals, lively green leaves and some reds too.  
4. There is a purity that welcomes returning to view this image repeatedly.  Background is blurry complementary without distracting.
   
5. It seems like a visual solo performance.

There are some wildflowers that I would never expect to find near DC. One is Virginia Bluebells; but to my surprise I found them on the perimeter of Brookside.  They were in a lovely setting too.  What can I do with the five questions?

Virginian Bluebells Found  at the Creek

1. 
   

 

1.  I find two very similar Bluebell stalks that create a visual echo between near and mid distances.
   
2. The light is nice and warm in the morning light.
3. The distant ground is just enough to suggest a wooded forest.
4. Technically, I have a green, blue and red split complementary color design that is very pleasing, with no deviations from those three.Very harmonious.
5. I believe the viewer can return to look at this often.
6. Adding another answer, the image tells the story of what they are, where to see them and why it is worth looking for them.

Asking the five why's does slow me down to the speed of seeing and understanding in a more subjective mode.  It would seem to apply widely in the pursuit of creative results.

I have come to realize that in my much earlier photography,  I would often come home with photos wherein the aim was just getting the right exposure, focus and maybe composition without pausing to ask why.  Part of that was the more difficult steps required using film.  The process was exposing a roll of slide film, waiting two weeks to receive the processed slides and then finally seeing how many were as expected.  With current digital tools, the feedback is nearly instantaneous.  Never going back.