Photo Haiku: Esther Peters
When: Wednesday, April 16, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Where: Online
Fee: FREE
Photo Haiku by Esther Peters
Spring is here. This spring we are thinking about the emergence of new life, the return of abundance, and uncertainty - in our climate and in our world. Join us for a discussion about finding joy in nature and finding reassurance in our environment's natural annual cycles. Tom Wood and Judy Gallagher will share stories of spring, and we want to hear your stories too!
Before the program, select a photograph you have taken this Spring and add a haiku. Submit your photo haiku to info@nvbirdalliance.org and we will be happy to share them during the program. If you have not yet made a photo haiku, you may wish to review this playlist and watch the first and second videos. From these videos you will see examples of the basic rules of photo haiku:
The haiku is three lines, perhaps following a 5-7-5 syllable count, but there is flexibility in this rule as English does not flow like Japanese.
Let the photo speak for itself, and donʻt describe what is there visually so you may use your precious few words more effectively. Here it is helpful to think about evoking emotion, descriptions of smell, taste temperature etc. that are not visually evident.
Your written haiku should be “not too far, and not too close” to the photo, everyone may perceive the meaning differently and that is the creative part of this art.
Utilize seasonality, but this is in the broad sense. For example new life might be associated with Spring, hard times or death with winter etc.
Check out this webpage for a few Photo Haiku previously submitted by our members.
This program is part of a series of fireside chats created by NVBA board member Tom Wood designed to bring us together for creative discussion inspired by the natural world. The Natural World is our teacher, we must slow down and listen.
Dr. Wood is an Associate Professor at George Mason University with a research focus on conservation studies, ecology, and education. He was the founding director of the Smithsonian Mason Center for Conservation. Judy is a Certified Master Naturalist and a charter member of the Prince William Wildflower Society. She is an insect enthusiast and writes our popular column, A Closer Look: Nature All Around Us.