For those of you who regularly follow this blog, you are certainly aware by now of my gift for fine photography, especially photos of the natural world. In this post, I exhibit a series of photos – and one video – that portray the stunning beauty of Geneva’s fall colors. But anyone with a cell phone can take a pretty picture of colorful leaves. In this exhibit, I aspire to take the art form to a whole ‘nuther level. As you will see, each picture contains beautiful fall colors, but the beauty is juxtaposed with a foreign object that is kinda ugly. And yet, the beauty of the natural colors prevail. In the art world, this is known as “art”.

Behold:

Exhibit #1: Tree and Crane

See the crane in the upper left hand corner?

Exhibit #2: Tree and Ugly Car

Can you believe that someone actually drives around in that monstrosity?

Exhibit #3: Tree and Bright Red Trash Can

This would have been a better photo if the tree were bright red like the trash can

Exhibit #4: Tree and Truck Full of Aggregate

This photo dedicated to my friend in aggregate, Fred

Exhibit #5: Tree and Billboard

See how the billboards direct the viewer’s eye to the trees? I did that on purpose.

Exhibit #6: Tree and Phone Booth

Yep, they still have phone booths in this town.

Exhibit #7: Tree and Sign

That says “Do Not Enter” in sign language.

Exhibit #8: Tree and Plastic Fence

In retrospect, that’s actually kind of an attractive fence, as far as fences go.

Exhibit #9: Tree and Iron Gate gate

The viewer is conflicted: The tree beckons, “come, look closer” and the gate forbids it. I did that on purpose too.

Exhibit #10: Trees and Trash Cans

Note the contrast between the beautiful red and orange of the trees, with the dingy as hell green and yellow of the trash cans

Exhibit #11: Tree and Graffiti Bench

Why in the world the does anyone feel compelled to scribble on a bench? Graffiti is for train cars and walls!

Exhibit #12: Trees and Construction Site

Note contrasts of yellows, and how darn ugly that construction site is.

Exhibit #13: Tree and Silver Van

Silver, a color rarely found in nature, except for certain silver things

Exhibit #14: Tree and My Schnozz

Yep, I have a nose for fine photography.

Exhibit #15: Fall Colors from a Car

Here’s a video I shot from the passenger seat of our car, as we were driving down from La Dole, a smallish (by Swiss standards) mountain in the Jura mountain range not far from Geneva. All kidding aside, look how pretty the trees are. (Warning: it looks at times like we are about to drive off the road. Fear not -that is just an artistic illusion created by my reaching way out the window to take the shot.)

Move over, Ansel Adams!