“Don’t shoot what it looks like. Shoot what it feels like.”

– David Alan Harvey

Every time I visit Cradle Mountain in Tasmania I go and visit this very tree. She’s an old friend now.  Each time I photograph her to honour her beauty.

I would love to tell you about the wonderful conversations we have. It is silent, there are no words. Just feelings. Very personal.  The conversation is purely emotional. It brings me great peace knowing she is still there.  It’s magical. Grounding.  Calming. All it takes is for me to take a few moments to connect. Then the conversation just flows gently and easily.

I stop to wonder why she lives in what feels like isolation to me.  I wonder if someone planted her.   

I adore her shape.  Round.  Magestic. Graceful. Powerful.  Gentle.  She has been neatly trimmed by wombats I suspect.   

 To get her to look this beautiful I lie in a ditch and have my camera as close to the ground as I can get.  Every time the grass gets in the way of the perfect composition.  Yet, the grass adds something rather special. 

It is a wet yet grounding spot to connect so personally with the earth. 

I look and think the photograph is the same as last time.  But I need to look closer and I can see the changes, and once I really look, there many.   It is so different.

She ages of course.  With grace.  Each year getting wiser and stronger.  The longer she lives the more likely she will live to a ripe old age.

Pure beauty.    

It’s the new year and I would like to take the opportunity to thank all of those that tell me how wonderful these inspirations are they are to them.   Each one inspires me to continue. To keep writing, of course to keep making art and to keep sharing personal stories from my life. May this year bring you great joys.  Many beautiful artworks.  Many special experiences.  May it be full of peace and calm. Excitement and joy.   

With love xxx

Len

Old Friend, Cradle Mountain, Tasmania.  Photograph and text copyright © Len Metcalf 2018