The forest is a peculiar organism of unlimited kindness and benevolence that makes no demands for its sustenance and extends generously the products of its life activity; it provides protection to all beings, offering shade even to the axeman who … Continued
You discover many fascinating things here on the A Life’s Work blog, like what’s the filmmaker’s favorite tree. And today? What’s the filmmaker’s second favorite tree. … ginkgo [or maidenhair tree], often seen in big-city streets, as it has a … Continued
The other night I went to see Akira Kurosawa’s Rashomon at the Brooklyn Public Library. I’ve seen this film quite a few times, and a few years ago, while preparing for the Redwoods shoot, I watched the Woodsman’s trek sequence … Continued
Last year around this time I was in the White Mountains of California shooting Bristlecone Pine trees. Along with my video gear, I lugged my Polaroid SX-70 and took these. As you may be aware, Polaroid went bankrupt and so … Continued
My good friend Jane Waggoner Deschner shared these quotes with me. The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit. ~ Nelson Henderson When eating a fruit, think of the person … Continued
Last week, the A Life’s Work blog turned two years old. That sounds pretty insignificant, and in the scheme of things, it is, but to me it’s kind of staggering. I track, list, and calculate many things, as you’ll see … Continued
A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in. – Greek proverb Thanks to the awesome Kate Hill Cantrill for sending it my way. And here’s an in-depth article on the … Continued
What is it that makes us look up? We look up at trees, at buildings, to the sky to see clouds, stars, planets. If we are inside and we’ve been asked a question, many of us look to where the … Continued
I recently went to my doctor and we got to talking about A Life’s Work. He asked me if I knew Cicero’s treatise, On Old Age. I didn’t. He paraphrased a passage about trees. “Oh, that’s good,” I said. “I’m … Continued
That’d be 105. Click here and here and here. Other numbers: 8/16-18/2010. Hours spent in a car and plane: 32. Hours spent looking at, thinking about, filming trees at 10,000 feet or more altitude: 20. Number of cameras lugged on … Continued