Wednesday 16 December 2015

ON SELECTIVE SEEING

2015

2016

The Shetland Times runs a little competition for the illustration it publishes on its annual calendar. Last year, 2015, it selected a special image of mist and light shrouding central Mainland. This year a photograph of the Loch of Strom was chosen; but it is an image of a loch or a power pole? Plumb centre of the grand vista, right on axis, is a power pole standing as proud as a crucifix, and it seems that no one sees it, let alone acknowledges it.


Will turbines be a concern?

Why was the image selected when it was clear that lines and poles intrude into the beauty of place, its visual calm and silence? Have we become immune to these impositions? Is this the beginning of the acceptance of wind turbines across Shetland? Most photographers are wary of such disruptions to natural beauty. Did no one really notice this iconic pole? Do we no longer care about the sweep of lines across sky and land? This image will be pinned to the wall of most homes in Shetland for the next year. Will it condition folk to not see poles and wires - turbines?

Loch of Strom


Loch of Strom

Loch of Strom


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