Most people will view this photograph as a straightforward image of leaves forming a triangle in the foreground. To me, this photograph is one of my metaphoric landscapes. It’s ripe for ekphrasis, the combination of image and text. At some point it will be accompanied by a poem, but not yet.

When I look at this photograph, it makes me think of memory. Our recent experiences are clear memories where we see all of the details in our mind. In the background is the past. Foggy and indistinct. It’s tantalising in its own way, but as viewers, we need to work to visualise it.

Metaphor in Images

As a poet, I am very familiar with using metaphor in my writing. I also see metaphoric landscapes in my photographs and paintings. Metaphor is a non-literal representation of something else. It is symbolic and can be highly personal or generally understood depending on context. A simple example of a metaphor would be a drawing of a kangaroo symbolising Australia.

When I see metaphor in my images, I realise they are not always obvious to other people. This leaves me with a decision. Do I try to convey the metaphor to those who see my work? Sometimes I don’t. If people see it, great. If not, the work stands alone without a metaphor. Other works are stronger with the metaphor being understood. I try to flag this in the title of the work.

This photograph is called ‘Fog and Leaves’ because I think it stands alone. I love the contrast between the crisp clear leaves in the foreground and the foggy trees in the background. At the moment, I have this photograph hanging above the basin in our bathroom.

‘Layering the Landscape’ ‘

‘Fog and Leaves’ was part of my 2014 exhibition ‘Layering the Landscape’. This was part of the Golden Plains Arts Trail. ‘The Womb of the Wood Nymph’ and ‘Momentarily Glorious’ were also part of this exhibition. If you click on the link (above) to see ‘Momentarily Glorious’ you will find it is an ekphrastic work. The link goes to the photograph and poem on my other website, Fifteen Acres.