Seeing Circles In Oaxaca

My Eye Is Drawn To This Complete Form, In A Funny Sort Of Way

GE McKerrihan
4 min readFeb 22, 2024
Two bicycle tires hanging on a wall like eye glasses.
“Twin Tires On The Wall” — Image by Author

A circle is a shape consisting of all points in a plane that are at a given distance from a given point, the centre. The distance between any point of the circle and the centre is called the radius. The circle has been known since before the beginning of recorded history. From Wikipedia.

As I scrolled through my photo library I realized just how many images contained ‘circles’. It is such a common, everyday shape. They seem to be everywhere.

This form has a distinct appeal to the eye. It is a complete form, in and of itself. Perhaps it is the perfect form. There is no other geometric shape like it. It is unique.

Concrete disk leaning against steel triangles.
“Geometry Lesson” — Image by Author

The circle has great eye appeal. Interesting, as our eyes are this same shape. That catch phrase, ‘takes one to know one’ comes to mind.

Another definition of ‘circle’ is a group of people with shared professions, interests, or acquaintances.

I tend to avoid these kinds of circles, preferring my own company.

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GE McKerrihan

I’ve been using the camera for nearly 50 years. I write about Photography, Art, Travel, and Life. Top Writer in Photography, Art, Creativity, and Inspiration.