The purpose of this study was to complete a series of photographs utilizing trees as metaphors. This series of photographs is composed into book form for possible publication. It presents the psychological and symbolic impact of trees in different environments and from different perspectives through the development of a unique style of creative composition. The format consists of text and photographs. This project develops a working definition of metaphors and an approach using trees as the medium to convey various symbolic and psychological references. Both associated and inferred types of symbolisms are used. This type of approach is not necessarily unique and has been evidenced in the work of such "populist" poets as Robert Frost and the late photographer-poet Gordon Parks. With the basic inventory of symbols and psychological reference associations, whole trees, parts of trees, and/or groups of trees are identified to illustrate through the photographic medium that metaphors do indeed exist and can be found in trees. Photographs are produced, edited and composed to produce not only pleasing aesthetics, but also to provide continuity throughout the series. Photographs vary in size, shape, contrast, and composition to provide variation in the format.

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