Photography has a robust history of images that make order out of chaos and find beauty in the sublime. This is my attempt. These images reflect my interest in man’s influence and manipulation of the landscape to “better” society. They take on the appearance of a strange, and somewhat haunting world that we vaguely recognize. I am intrigued by the digital wherewithal to manipulate the image, thus allowing the viewer to draw on newfound meaning of the subject.
I spent April and May of 2008 on the Isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland photographing the people, culture and landscape of the island. This island has captivated me since my first visit in the year 2000. The landscape is extremely diverse, ranging from some of the most beautiful beaches you will see anywhere on the west coast, to the lunar-like terrain of the east coast. While the landscape is intriguing, the heart and soul of the island are the individuals that inhabit this land. They are a proud people who value tradition and community. Island life presents many challenges in this day and age. It is becoming more and more difficult for young adults to stay on the island and make a decent living. This is rapidly shifting the demographic make-up of the island from the traditional family based community to retirement and vacation home communities. It is my goal to capture a bit of the character and charm of this place before it changes completely.
These images deal with religious iconography and their symbolic nature. Religious iconography is juxtaposed with various everyday objects and situations that create new and often humorous meaning. The occurrence of these combinations allows for a reinterpretation of the symbolic significance of this religious iconography due to position and place. I am fascinated by these relationships that typically go unnoticed.
Several years ago I became interested in the possibility of photographing the various private holdings of land that the Idaho Nature Conservancy owns. The Nature Conservancy has acquired over 16,000 acres of properties in Idaho and aided in the protection of over 100,000 additional acres throughout the state. In 1994, I arranged to photograph their properties and many of those that they have assisted in protecting, seventeen in all. I found that these sites, both large and small, were enchanting and unique. I began what has become a long-term project in which I am documenting these unspoiled places, sharing their beauty with the world, and encouraging others to join in their preservation.
My objectives in photographing these properties are threefold. First, as an artist I seek to capture both the intimacies and grandeur of these lands. I approach the landscape in a formal manner, seeking to create my own unique vision. These properties are not all large in scale. Some are as small as one acre, however, the visual interest of these "pockets of paradise" is equal to that of places set aside publicly for their scenic value.
My second objective is the documentation of place. I photograph to record and acknowledge these places in time. I believe the significance of what the Nature Conservancy is accomplishing is of a historical value and should be preserved.
Lastly, I hope to use my imagery to promote and encourage the continued support of organizations like the Nature Conservancy and their conservation efforts. Increasingly the federal and state governments are doing less to provide for concerns such as habitat protection and personal (re)creation. The Nature Conservancy is an organization that is picking up where these agencies are falling short.
The goal of this project was to highlight the relationship that man has to the lava flow environment of Southeastern Idaho. I have always been intrigued by how man has manipulated and used the land to his advantage. I took a non-judgmental approach to this project, trying to show the many challenges to living off the land in this environment.
This is the beginnings of a new project using a small unmanned aerial system (sUAS) to show a unique perspective to the natural and man-made environment.
