Week 6
Rorschach
I captured this image standing in the middle of a redwood grove on a shoot last week in the Santa Cruz Mountains. For some reason as I reviewed this set of images from the day, Rorschach came to mind. According to Wikipedia, the Rorschach test, administered by asking what the test subject sees when looking at a series of random ink-blot patterns is intended to analyze thought processes, personality characteristics or emotional functioning. I've always heard of it in connection with trying to see how someone perceives their world, or what currently preoccupies their thoughts. The abstract nature of the image above led to the association with the Rorschach test, but it wasn't long before I started to notice meaningful images and shapes. The longer I stared at it, the more complex the image became, infused with all kinds of references to current events, etc. that I'll spare you from, but even I was surprised.
I think with anything, both literally and conceptually, when we look at something long enough, different patterns and connections will emerge, something more than that which is represented at first glance. That item of scrutiny can be a picture, similar to the one above. It can be a work strategy, social or political topic, even a worldview. I believe we are built to deepen our understanding. We want to make sense of things that at first glance don't seem congruent with what we already think we know, and we want to verify that how we perceive things is indeed right-thinking. Whether you believe the results of these analyses are constructs based on predetermined thoughts or revelations as a result of the search itself is a topic for another conversation, I suppose. I do think, however, we are misguided not to engage in this type of analysis. To cruise through life without the opportunity to broaden and deepen our understanding of others, of ourselves, and of our higher power is a service to no-one.
Don't get me wrong. We can't walk around in an introspective fog, not moving forward with our lives and plans, afraid to take action because we haven't "thought about it long enough". We have to make the best decisions we can based on the current understandings we have. But to not be open to re-interpretation, fresh perspective, and indeed, correction, is to close the door to deeper understanding and wisdom. Who wants to do that?
image taken with Canon 5DMII, 24-70 2.8L lens, 1/60 sec @ f8, ISO 400
I think with anything, both literally and conceptually, when we look at something long enough, different patterns and connections will emerge, something more than that which is represented at first glance. That item of scrutiny can be a picture, similar to the one above. It can be a work strategy, social or political topic, even a worldview. I believe we are built to deepen our understanding. We want to make sense of things that at first glance don't seem congruent with what we already think we know, and we want to verify that how we perceive things is indeed right-thinking. Whether you believe the results of these analyses are constructs based on predetermined thoughts or revelations as a result of the search itself is a topic for another conversation, I suppose. I do think, however, we are misguided not to engage in this type of analysis. To cruise through life without the opportunity to broaden and deepen our understanding of others, of ourselves, and of our higher power is a service to no-one.
Don't get me wrong. We can't walk around in an introspective fog, not moving forward with our lives and plans, afraid to take action because we haven't "thought about it long enough". We have to make the best decisions we can based on the current understandings we have. But to not be open to re-interpretation, fresh perspective, and indeed, correction, is to close the door to deeper understanding and wisdom. Who wants to do that?
image taken with Canon 5DMII, 24-70 2.8L lens, 1/60 sec @ f8, ISO 400
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