Anna (Flutter and Hum) invites us to post a vignette every Wednesday. This week, she is featuring a way to manipulate the environment to distract us from a long walk or a long wait. Here, I’m featuring a portal made of greenery that frames a garden view to manipulate our first impression. We usually think of manipulation as a bad thing, but it can also be a way of enhancing experience. What do you think of when you hear the word “manipulation”?
I love the image. The word “manipulation” has negative connotations for me. In this case, “frame”, although admittedly a form of manipulation, seems more descriptive.
Yes “frame” works here, maybe even better. Oh, the power of words. Words, too, can be manipulated to the point where they take on negative connotations. In my title, I used the word “portal” but the idea of manipulation was so off-putting that it took over. Of course, I did ask that question, and thanks for answering.
All the layers of beauty beckon me in. I often feel drawn to these types of portals in gardens. We added a trellis to the entrance to our garden several years ago. It seems like a simple thing, but it can really add personality. This is a great vignette!
In my last garden, I made an arch of Forsythia but it became a pruning nightmare. Time to try a new approach. I hope you will show us a shot looking through your trellis.
Cool frame! When we were at the Huntington recently I paid a lot of attention to all the frames in the Chinese garden–it’s a concept that goes back centuries.
“manipulation” I don’t want to think about!
Chinese gardens have that framing thing down cold.
Creating a frame as you’ve done is like an invitation to enter, it’s beautiful. and yes manipulation has negative connotations for me too. Every time we choose an angle from which to photograph our gardens we are manipulating others view of it.
Isn’t it funny how a word that is essentially neutral can turn dark?
Beautiful. I love arches and hedges that frame views into new areas of a garden.
Me too!
Manipulate feels like a slick, skeevey word to me but it can be just a way to force change. I do love that photo!
Thanks for your thoughts…that seems to be the consensus.
What a lovely shot! The word “manipulation” is not necessarily negative. I think of “manipulation of space” as something very positive and creatively interesting, in the same ways as “shaping” and “forming” would be. But if I think or hear of the word in connection with a person, watch out – red flags go up!
Exactly!
Lovely portal. I’m in denial about being a manipulative photographer.
It wasn’t YOU who gave that word its bad name. You are a great manipulator in the very best sense of the word.
I love shots like this, a window into another area, not allowing a full view. I can’t wait to walk through and explore!
Our large properties would be perfect…wish I’d started something like this when we first came here.