Artists Statement
There is beauty in darkness. For my final project in The Wild intensive, I decided to figure out a way to show that there is beauty in darkness. Throughout this intensive, I purposely waited until it was dark outside in an attempt to photograph nature in low light with flash. These pictures, in my opinion, turned out more beautiful than I had imagined and I feel it would be a shame if I did not share them with anybody.
On the first night of my photography journey, we were still in the first week of the intensive. Spring had just sprung, the leaves on the trees were returning, and many of the flowers and plants that disappeared for the winter had reappeared for the warm seasons. I decided to start close and went around my front yard, backyard, and side yards. I put on some relaxing music, turned on my flashlight, and began my search.
On my first night, I was able to capture the essence of these plants in totality thus proving that there is beauty in darkness. My second night taking photography I decided to expand the bounds in which I was taking pictures and move the search to my neighborhood. I began having fun and seeing this as a sort of scavenger hunt with no map. I then spent two more nights taking photographs over the next two weeks before I decided I had everything I wanted. On my third night I went to Acacia Reservation in search of a more extensive plane of nature to photograph. I was able to gather more photos that I as well as make it back home unbothered. However, the Fourth and final night was a bit different. I went back to the Acacia Reservation again because I felt like there was so much I had not explored. I had been walking for about 10 minutes before I came to a fork in the road. I could take three different paths. The last time I was there, I had taken the path to the left so naturally I took the path down the middle essentially just continuing straight. I was walking for about another 3-5 minutes before I suddenly hear ruffling in the bushes beside me. I turn and look. At first glance, I thought to myself, “Oh wow a dog.” Rest assured this was no dog. I am fairly certain this was a wild coyote. We maintained eye contact for a solid 5 seconds before I decided to start backing away slowly. He then turned and went his way. Meanwhile, I was shaken enough to decide I had enough pictures and it was time to get out of the park.
To the reader: I hope you enjoy the work that I have created for this intensive, but I also hope that you walk away understanding what my mission was. Even though it was black outside, as soon as you shine a little light the beauty appears. There is beauty in darkness; all you need is a little light.
Comments