Jodi Rose and I have been working on our book “Our love affair with trees” for over a year now. It is so exciting to be collaborating with her and so many other people to pull this together. We photographed lots of dancers with different trees in Sydney. Slowly bringing together a cohesive portfolio for the book. Jodi interviewed people and asked them what trees meant to them.

We expect to have the book out mid year.

Jodi and I met over a portrait photography shoot. She was referred by Cheryl. After our tea and discussions we headed to various parks and I ended up creating portraits of her with various trees. What started on that day has been a long and special friendship. Years later she asked me for some of my tree photographs for another book she was writing.

Then came this idea to her and we started with a vague idea. Slowly it unfolds. Discussion after discussion. Working on the project informs the project. It keeps unfolding. It takes shape and form.

I read today that about half of our brain power is consumed dealing with visuals. I have no idea if that’s correct or some random figure made up by a writer to emphasise the importance of the visual to us. Clearly our visual communication skills are incredibly important. It was the first photographs that got us both going. They made the blood boil with enthusiasm that saw the project get to here.. I hope Jodi doesn’t mind me saying so. Once we could show someone what we were working on, they could get excited too….

Enthusiasm is infectious… Positive feedback drives forward…. Print and show…. So, so important…

Our love affair with trees. Photograph and text copyright © Len Metcalf 2020