Modern science tells us at the most basic level everything is simultaneously an individual (particle) and part of a collective (wave). However, we can never see both of these qualities at the same time: how we look at something will determine whether we see it as one or the other. Furthermore, what we see of an individual thing can be shaped by its relationship to the collective.

This sounds rather abstract and esoteric; but there are examples of this principle everywhere in our day-to-day life. For instance, it’s something I’ve been exploring by photographing leaves…

Leaves – Christman Santuary, 8/30/2009

Leaves and Forest – Christman Sanctuary, 8/30/2009

Trunk and Leaves – Thacher Park, 8/16/2009

Hidden Trunk – Lawson Lake, 7/3/2010

Right Branch – Lawson Lake, 7/3/2010

Left Branch – Lawson Lake, 7/3/2010

Tree Silhoutte – Lawson Lake, 7/3/2010

Maples – Christman Sanctuary, 8/30/2009

All photographs are © Dave Higgins and “Dave Higgins Photography,” 2011; all rights reserved.