The Deluge Images - what they’re about

Deluge

These pictures are about finding optimism in the collision between human proliferation and the response of the natural world. They’re also about my fear of the unknown as it relates to that increasingly contentious relationship.

Initially, I wanted to make pictures about my anger over the deplorable manner in which we’ve treated the planet, but that felt almost too easy and it ran the risk of alienating the audience. 

As I captured images of city canyons and waterscapes, I felt like I belonged in both worlds, intellectually and aesthetically. The sensations were so powerful, they were creating an emotional rift within me. 

What began as an indictment of humanity was transforming into a celebration of possibilities. As I combined the images in post-production, attempting to create something visually arresting that reflected my experiences in the field, I felt that optimism surfacing. 

I’m not so naive that I believe optimism alone will solve any of the environmental problems we face. But, revealing the potential for beauty in that interaction gives me some of the energy I need to play my part in the search for solutions.