End Notes
New View
Essay and photo by Nan Lin
My interest in photography began three years ago when I had a chance to travel to China with a photographer friend. One day, she showed me how to use the macro function on my camera to take a close-up of a crimson rose. By focusing in on that single rose, I could see beautiful lines spiraling outward in the perfect golden ratio. There was so much detail to appreciate. At the same time, I had to remind myself not to lose the big picture and miss the essence of it all.
Beijing and Shanghai were the perfect places to practice photographing flowers because the cities have an abundance of accessible and well-maintained parks. However, when I returned to the United States to begin medical school at the University of Minnesota, I had little time to devote to photography.
Near the end of my first year, I heard about the Fisch Art of Medicine grant program, which provides medical students with funding to support an art project. I applied thinking it would give me an opportunity to again focus on photography. My idea was to travel to the U.S. Botanical Garden in Washington, D.C., and the New York Botanical Garden to take macro photographs of flowers.
I chose to take this photo of the Blue Passion Flower (Passiflora caerulea) in the New York Botanical Garden because I found its radial symmetry and alien-looking architecture appealing. It wasn’t until later that I noticed the little creature working away.
To me, photography and medicine have a lot of similarities. In taking a great photograph, one is seeking balance in the elements of the visual experience. In practicing medicine, one is seeking to enable balance in health and life. I am grateful for the Fisch grant, which allowed me this realization and provided a chance to breathe, take my pulse, and simply capture what’s around me. MM
Nan Lin is starting her second year of medical school at the University of Minnesota.