Perspectives on Perspective

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder." I've been thinking about how I, as a photographer, can shape perception, through how I choose to frame my photograph, and what I choose to include, or exclude. Another phrase which also captures the photographer's dilemma, is "is the glass half-full, or half-empty?"

Here are a few examples of what I'm talking about. It's a rather random collection of scenes, but they all show the importance of perspective.

First, I'll start with an appropriately-named sculpture installed on Dallas Road near where I live, and a poem that goes along with it.

Glass Half Full, Dallas Road. Sculpture by Tyler Hodgins. It's also a play structure for children who can spin on the two discs.The poem which accompanies it is below.

Here is the text of Glass Half Full, by Linda Rodgers, who was Victoria's Poet Laureate in 2011, when the sculpture was installed. The text is written on a round plaque set in the ground in a spiral pattern.

This

is where spinning children find out

we are one drop of water in

sky becoming ocean, or earth, what

ever catches the I, eye, first

as we go round in the half-full

glass that never empties or fills,

in the song that never ends.

"The half-full glass that never empties or fills". That definitely sounds like perspective to me!

The photographer influences the viewer's reaction by how close the subject is, what is included in the frame, and how much is in focus.

Fritillaria in Beacon Hill Park in April. My phone camera is not very good at including both foreground and background with the same amount of crispness, but in this case, it did an adequate job.

A cheerful harvest scarecrow outside a seniors' residence. In this case, the scarecrow is the interest. The photo would have been less interesting if I'd zoomed out, and included some of the nearby building.

There's another scarecrow in the Murchie's window display, below.

I enjoyed the imaginative combining of squash, teapots, and haybales, all in autumn shades, in this window. In this case, the scarecrow is secondary to the display.

Readers will know I appreciate well-designed window displays. Here are a couple more that have caught my eye recently. It strikes me that the window artist has to have the theme of "perspective" front and centre when they create their design. After all, they want a window that is memorable, captures the flavour of the store, and is inviting to the passer-by.

Window of Lugaro Jewellers

Window design by Spirit Coast Creations

This window display was earlier in the summer, but I couldn't resist giving a nod to this local James Bay floral store, which always does imaginative, and appealing, window design.

Two more windows before I move on...

Window from South Park School earlier this year. I liked the metaphorical "upstream", and how the fish were located on the window.

Island Health went above and beyond at the James Bay Urgent Care centre. A kingfisher appliqued on the window is a lovely touch, showing that even when we're in need of medical care, art cannot be neglected.

Since we're talking Island Health.... here's the interior of the James Bay Urgent Care centre waiting room. The choice of colours and design contribute to a sense of calm.

As I mentioned at the outset, this post is a collage of ideas and images illustrating the theme of "perspective". 

The next two photos show one of the trees at Capital Park, now, and five years ago. Readers know I'm interested in trees, and what they add to the urban environment. The plaza on the north side of Capital Park is a large, open space with a lot of hard surface. The trees that were planted five years ago have contributed immeasurably to a softer ambience.

Part of the plaza at Capital Park development. Notice how the trunk completely fills the metal ring at its base. Then check out the next photo.

A few years ago I took a photo of the same tree looking the other direction. Capital Park was still being built, and the tree was newly planted.

The same tree, a little over five years ago, on July 20, 2020. This is a fast-growing tree! There was a lot of space around the plate at the trunk's base at that time, compared with the photo five years later. 

Sticking with nature, but moving on to colour:

I enjoyed the dusty rose of the Hydrangea, contrasted with the gold of its leaves. 

When I saw the Hydrangea, I made the decision to take the photo zooming in on the colour, rather than showing the whole shrub. The photo which follows has a different perspective.

Here's the larger scene of the hydrangea with the shrub and its golden leaves. Much less impact, in my opinion, than zooming in as with the previous photo.

Flowers are an amazing example of the difference made by perspective. 

The artistry of nature is on display in the Dahlia.

I couldn't resist a few more Dahlias. I'm in awe of their symmetry:

Amazing symmetry of nature

Dahlias add late colour to the falls in Victoria. I was intrigued by the colours and petal shape of this variety.

My final Dahlia of this post... such a gorgeous pink!

Hollyhocks were common in my childhood, but it's rare to see them now. I enjoyed its delicate flower.  (Note that all the photos in my posts are taken with my phone's camera.)

This striking, non-native plant was growing in Beacon Hill Park earlier this fall. Google says it's called "Fatsia Japonica". 

Gunnera, another non-native plant in Beacon Hill Park. The leaves on this plant are huge!

If I'm talking about non-native plants in the park, I have to include the Monkey Puzzle tree.

I touched these; they are as spiny and pokey as they look!

In a post on perspective with many examples of non-native plants, it would be unfair to native plants not to include them. After all, "perspective" in landscaping should include plants that are adapted to the landscape and climate. They are as beautiful as non-native species! Beauty is on the eye of the beholder, after all.

Here are images of two native plants I have found being used locally:

Canada Goldenrod near the end of its blooming season, with a young Garry oak in the background, on the west side of the Johnson St bridge. The choice of blue for the chairs in the far background is a pleasant complement to the yellow of the flowers.

Fireweed growing in front of an apartment building on Michigan Street. I am always pleased when I see that a choice has been made to include some native plants in landscaping.

Now, to switch gears and move from plants, to the built environment:
Within a week of walking James Bay and downtown, I saw three pieces of artwork with similar resonance. I was intrigued at how each reflected how the artist saw, and interpreted, the urban scene:

Children's play area at my dentist's office

Mural, central branch of Victoria Public Library

Window at Munro's Books

From collages of buildings, to one single building: it's impossible to walk downtown and not notice the Telus Ocean building under construction.

The Telus Ocean Building taking shape. The unusual windows are the first thing a passer-by notices.

Since I'm talking about perspective in this post, I'll include one more photo of the Telus building.

This image shows the way the building is using the triangular shaped lot, and reflecting that shape in its design features.

The reference to the triangular shaped lot reminds me of a post I did on that theme a few years ago. You can find it at https://linesfromthecoast.blogspot.com/2022/01/eternal-triangles.html

Over the years I've also featured a few different high rises whose architecture I appreciated. Here's another high rise I noticed on a recent walk downtown.

The Mazda building is at the corner of Blanshard and Johnson. I like the way the hard structure is broken by the glass in the corner. And of course, I'm always a fan of trees, even in concrete planters. When it was built in 1990 this building was considered an example of a sustainable green building, in terms of water and energy efficiency. 

I will conclude this post on random thoughts about perspective with a brief nod to two hidden pieces of art that can only be noticed by walkers who amble "off the beaten path". 

Mural at the back of the building where the New Horizons Seniors Centre is located. It is only visible to users of Irving Park.

The mural above features a lovely swirling Giant Sequoia (detail below), as well as Garry oak acorns and leaves, a camas meadow, the Olympics, the Ogden Point Lighthouse and a blue heron...and five five-pointed stars. I have to think that the woman is artist Emily Carr who lived in James Bay for much of her life, but I am not sure what the intention was with the five stars. 

Detail of Garry Oak leaf and acorn, from the above mural.

And here's the swirling giant Sequoia in the mural

The second example is more artwork that is easy to miss. The mosaic tile work below is on a bench off a trail at Banfield Park, built ten years ago by the Vic West Food Security Collective. 

Detail, back of bench at Banfield Park. The text reads "Sustenance for All".

A wider view of the back of the bench at Banfield Park. See https://vicwestfoodsecurity.org/community-gardens/banfield-common/

"Sustenance for all" is a hopeful perspective on which to finish this post!

The Gift of Silence

Construction is a fact of life in James Bay. Already one of the densest residential areas in Victoria, it is becoming even more dense, with new developments scattered around the community. Three of them are very close; one is across the street! So -- if a person wants to live in James Bay -- daytime construction noise is something that has to be accepted. Fortunately, most nights are quiet, since there's no through traffic in what is essentially a peninsula.

The crane of one of three projects near us

Ogden Point in James Bay was originally industrial in nature, so there's also noise associated with a busy harbour and heliport -- from float planes and helicopters, to cruise ships and the humming motors of the "Cable Innovator" ship which lays cable in the ocean.

But I find noise to be wearing. I need breaks of quiet to keep my mental balance. Here are some of the places I go to for silence. The first photos are of places I can walk to. The second section gives a few of the places that I have found where I get into a vehicle and drive to them.

This shoreline is perhaps 25 feet below Dallas Road, so road noise from above can't be heard. On this calm morning, with low tide, the ocean was a peaceful place. I feel very fortunate I can access it in just a few minutes walk from home.

I like the wild areas of Beacon Hill Park, although some sound from nearby roads is inevitable. This bench is near the top of the hill, and secluded enough that it's often a private place to sit. This too, is close to home.

Here is another bench in the Garry Oak meadows of Beacon Hill Park.

I've enjoyed sitting here numerous times, spotting birds flitting among the Garry Oaks, like the tree behind the bench.

The biggest source of widespread noise in James Bay, as in any urban area, is from traffic. James Bay is fortunate in that it is at the end of the road, so does not suffer from through traffic noise. It also has road closures a few times a year due to running and cycling events, which change the neighbourhood's atmosphere.

What a treat when Dallas road was closed for a bike race! After most of the riders had whizzed by, I walked the road, and had the pleasure of walking without vehicle noise. 

Here is the view down Dallas Road during the bike race. I have a daydream: to close the road to vehicles once a week, so that walkers and cyclists can enjoy it without the noisy energy of cars, trucks and busses.

Enjoying Dallas Road sans noisy vehicles. What bliss!

Given that it's unrealistic to shut down a busy road like Dallas most of the time, the next best thing is traffic control. Speed bumps in residential areas help slow traffic down and reduce noise.

This speed bump is on Montreal Street, where there are many blocks of speed bumps. There are also speed bumps on Government Street, Dock Street, and sections of Niagara and Simcoe Streets. I'd like to see other streets in James Bay have speed bumps to slow traffic and reduce noise.

Creative street design can provide other options for slowing down traffic and reducing noise. Here are a couple I've seen.

This planted peninsula near the Royal Jubilee Hospital reduces traffic to single lane, with vehicles having to yield to each other. A great way of slowing them down -- and reducing noise in the process!

Here is another way of slowing traffic down:

This barrier, on Memorial Crescent in Fairfield, forces traffic to take turns advancing, in effect forcing it to slow.

Despite the busy harbour and construction noise, there are actually many quiet streets in James Bay, especially in the "interior" of the community. An example follows.

Even though it's only a block off Douglas Street, this short stretch of road is peaceful, with the houses blocking street noise from Douglas.

I mentioned Beacon Hill Park at the outset. Here's another section that I enjoy.

One of the more peaceful sections of Beacon Hill Park. This trail used to be called "Lover's Lane". The trees block some vehicle noise from Dallas Road, although not completely. This area of the park is home to Cooper's hawks, chestnut-backed chickadees, red-breasted nuthatches, and spotted Towhees, among others.

James Bay has other small areas where I sometimes stop for a moment of quiet.

The peaceful community garden on Montreal Street.

This bench, adjacent to the Birdcage Grocery store, is an enjoyable place to sit and enjoy a treat from the store. Vehicles going down Government Street are slowed by speed bumps, and the store is located at a four-way stop sign so traffic is fairly quiet.

Around the corner at the Birdcage Confectionary. Another relatively quiet place to sit.

I've discovered a few streets in James Bay that have been closed to through traffic. As well as making the street much quieter, closing to through traffic creates a different "vibe", one that is more people-centred, than vehicle-centred.

This street has been closed to access from Government Street, which makes it essentially a quiet cul-de-sac, oriented to pedestrians for walking.

There are some days though, when I crave getting off the pavement and into the forest, for real, soul-nourishing, quiet. The grounds at Royal Roads provide quiet respite, within Greater Victoria. They are accessible by bike, bus, and private vehicle.

Forest on the grounds at Royal Roads University. Royal Roads has enough forested land that it is possible to escape traffic noise.

And, for longer walks, there are large second-growth forest areas which can be explored, all within three hours driving distance. I've found a few options, including Cowichan, Comox, and Campbell River. All require a private vehicle to access these areas. (Note that I've not spent much time walking in East Sooke Park, so I'm excluding it from this discussion, although it is a great hiking destination. The walks I've covered here are more gentle in nature.)

To begin, a photo from the forest near Cowichan.

A beautiful cedar in the forest near Spring Beach Recreation Site in the Cowichan area. I took this photo in February just a few days after a snowfall.

Next, Seal Bay Nature Reserve. We first discovered this forest in Comox - Courtenay on a visit to the Island at least five years before we moved here. I fell in love with it, because of the silence I can find there. It is about 650 ha, second-growth mixed forest, with Douglas fir and many other species, including deciduous. 

Close up of the forest floor, Seal Bay Nature Reserve, Comox-Courtenay

One of the large second-growth fir trees in Seal Bay. I was intrigued by pattern made by the moss on the bark.

Spores on a fern, Seal Bay Nature Reserve.

The walking in Seal Bay varies, from coniferous to more open forest.

Trails in Seal Bay are well-marked; a map can be downloaded to your phone, and there are also printed copies at trailheads.

The third area where I've found quiet is a little further away than Seal Bay. The Beaver Lodge Forest Lands at Campbell River provide a lovely forest experience. The airport is in the vicinity, so plane noise was noticeable from time to time, so it's not entirely free of "traffic" noise. But for me, I can take a plane or two over non-stop vehicle traffic. The trails here have fewer signposts than Seal Bay, but there are maps at some trailheads. As well, a map can be downloaded to a phone.

We saw many trees growing out of nurse stumps like this.

Beaver Lodge Forest Lands, Campbell River. Some of these trees were BC's first tree plantation, dating back to the 1930s. 

The Beaver Lodge Forest Lands were first protected in 1931 with a donation of land by the Elk River Timber Company. Since then, the area in trust has expanded with additional donations; it's now approximately 520 ha, held in trust by the Greenways Land Trust.

Some parts of the forest had good numbers of bigger trees like this one.

The trails have a variety of forest, which makes for interesting walking. Some are on an old rail trail, and are straight, unlike the one pictured here.

Some of the Campbell River trails are also used by mountain bikers. We were able to pass under this tree, but a cyclist on a bike would indeed have to duck!

In September there were few birds calling, but I am sure that in the spring there would be more.

This post has been about silence, and the importance of forest areas for finding quiet. I am aware of the irony: for me to get to almost any of these areas, I must get into some kind of vehicle... and create noise.

I recall writing about silence a few years ago. Our cities have become much noisier, so that now, sirens have to be many decibels higher than several decades ago. With that much noise, we need silence. 

May the forest nurture you.