Black & White Desert Photography
I am fascinated by the unique personalities, shapes, and expressions personified by the plant life in the Sonoran Desert. By using portraiture and street photography techniques in what otherwise would be considered nature photography, I hope to build a sense of empathy, camaraderie, and friendship between humans and our fellow desert dwellers. As our natural landscapes are continually threatened by human activity, it is more important than ever to understand that the desert is not just a resource for humans to consume, but a diverse ecosystem that supports a multitude of life forms where humans are one of many.
Infrared Desert Photography
The human eye can detect light between 400-700nm. This range makes up what we consider to be visible light and the colors of the rainbow as we know it, based on the trichromatic or three-primary color system. Above 700nm is infrared, an invisible world that humans can’t see. Animals, however, can see whole spectrums of light that are inaccessible to humans, with some animals seeing in a tetrachromatic, or four-primary color system. This means that not only do animals see the world in a vastly different light than we do, some animals can see more colors than we can even comprehend. Photographing the Sonoran Desert in infrared light gives us an idea of how our desert dwelling neighbors experience their surroundings, and serves as a reminder that the desert and its mysteries are not for human consumption alone. There is much more to the desert than meets the eye, and it is my hope that viewing the desert in a whole new light will foster a sense of stewardship and wonder for the desert and all living beings who call this place their home.
Mixed Media Art
As an interdisciplinary artist, I find that working with mixed media feels the most like dancing to different types of music. This is where I get to play and have the most fun. I hope you enjoy!
Created as part of an ongoing collaboration with Southwest Discoveries.
