Nature is a temple

Woods and forests have always intrigued me and even an everyday scene like this one can be of intersest to me. I recently scanned the negative from 1983, made somewhere around Leusden, the Netherlands. The title comes from a poem by Charles Baudelaire (from the 'fleurs du mal') tthat I read around that time, which is in French, but the first lines translate to: Nature is a temple in which living pillars Sometimes give voice to confused words; Man passes there through forests of symbols Which look at him with understanding eyes.

Your comments are very welcome.

Vincent, this is a beautiful and tranquil forest image, and your title and the lines from the poem fit it perfectly. I really like the almost sepia tones and soft lighting. Well done! Todd

A very beautiful image in a sepia tone of this wood with an almost three-dimensional rendering. As always, your accompanying notes are useful to understand the shooting of the scene, but even more interesting is the explanation of the beautiful title. ciao Giangiorgio

Hi Todd,

 

thank you for these friendly and appreciative comments! I'm glad you like the combination of the image and the lines from the poem. Kind regards, Vincent

Hi Giangiorgio,

 

thank you so much for these beautiful comments and your appreciation of the photo and its title; that means a lot to me. Kind regards, Vincent

Vincent a fairytale scene. Regards, Franz

Vincent, I have to agree with everything previously said. A fine image, that visually soothes the mind. Best regards, Patrick

Hi Franz,

 

thank you for this friendly comment and for favoriting, well appreciated! It does have something fairytale-like, hadn't seen that until now, thank you. Kind regards, Vincent

Hi Patrick,

 

thank you for your friendly comments! 'A fine image, that visually soothes the mind' that's a nice compliment, I appreciate that. Kind regards, Vincent

I often walk in woods and forests. Being a Swede I'm lucky that we have our old law "Allemansrätten" which allow everyone to move freely in public or private owned rural land areas. Of course you have obligations like your are not allowed to damage anything or start fires. The use of Common Sense is the lead star.

In the autumn you are free to pick berries or mushrooms. To sit in the forest and listen to Aspen trees talking in the wind that is something. Your image triggered me to write this long comment. Thanks Vincent. Kind regards, Arthur.

Hi Arthur,

 

thank you for your friendly and relevant comment! I am glad my image triggered you to write this personal story. Kind regards, Vincent

Vincent, I'm going to post a photo of mine soon hereafter. I shot it in central Florida in an area of dense forest. While walking rather aimlessly, I noticed what looked like the entrance to a clearing. As I walked through, I immediately noticed a large oak in the back and also a faint oval just inside of the trees, as if it was a trail. Then, I gasped when I saw that the area inside the oval was raised somewhat slightly, and I concluded it may be a Native American burial mound. Tears began to blur my vision; I was profoundly moved by where I was I standing. My next thought was from the Book of Exodus: "[T] he place where you are standing is holy ground. Before I walked from the area, I intoned a Hebrew prayer that basically sanctifies the name of God. This magnificent image impacted me in a very similar way, for which I have immeasurable gratitude. - - My best always, michael

Hi Michael,

 

thank you so much for this moving personal comment! I feel grateful to have triggered a similar emotion with this image without knowing anything about your extraordinary spiritual experience. I have had a similar experience when I was young about which I will tell you gladly in some time . Thank you again. Kind regards, Vincent