Details

You may be familiar with the phrase ‘the devil is in the detail’ which refers to the details of a plan, that while seemingly insignificant, may contain hidden problems that jeopardize its overall success.

Something you may not be as well acquainted with, however, is that an older, and once slightly more common, version of that same phrase is ‘God is in the detail’, meaning that attention paid to small things has big rewards, or that details are important.

The Inspirations Team has recently returned to the office after photographing Inspirations issue #106 with a whole new appreciation of detail.

Once the big picture of a project has been considered, props sourced and a location chosen, it’s then all about the intricate details as the lens of the camera brings forth hidden things which are almost impossible to see with the naked eye.

A tiny wisp of thread floating on the surface of a project, a slight colour variation between threads used and props sourced, or a blade of grass that isn’t quite as green as those around it suddenly become the focus rather than the project itself. So, after focusing on the details of each image we captured, we found ourselves more attuned to the details surrounding us than ever before.

From the intricate pattern etched on the china displayed on the walls of our location, the incredibly complex petals of the double opium poppies on show throughout the garden, the depth of colour created as we mixed cordial to use in one of the photographs, right through to the textures of the fruits gathered to create an abundant still life – once we’d become attuned to detail, we couldn’t help but delight in those surrounding us.

It turns out our experience was all the richer for it as there’s a beauty in the intricacies that’s easily missed when we’re not ‘trained’ to see them. We just hope our eyes can remain attuned to details going forward, as noticing the small can indeed reap big rewards!