Project Images
Gallery Overview
Individual Images
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Project Description
A blackwater swamp is a slow-moving body of water that flows through wetlands or swamps and is stained a dark, acidic color that resembles black tea. The water gets its color from tannins that seep into the groundwater or drain into streams and lakes as vegetation decays. The tannins can come from fallen leaves of trees like oak that grow along the river’s edge. As the water rises and falls, it also draws nutrients from decaying plant and animal matter, which fuels the aquatic ecosystems.
I was born in Naples, Florida, about a half hour from the Big Cypress. My interest in photography started when I was around ten years old. My first camera was a J33 Polaroid, which I saved green stamps to purchase.
Living in Naples, I had no interest in swamps at all; I now live in Connecticut. In 2019, I was on a business trip in Florida and stumbled on Clyde Butcher’s Gallery on US 41. I was blown away by Clyde’s art and commitment to the Everglades ecosystem. I booked a swamp walk with Scott Randolph, the naturalist at the gallery, purchased my first digital camera, and walked into the swamps.
I make two pilgrimages to the Southeast Wetlands each year, spring and winter.
This project was created in May 2024 at Santa Rosa Beach, FL. Santa Rosa Beach is home to several coastal dune lakes. These lakes are a unique geographical feature and are only found in Madagascar, Australia, New Zealand, Oregon, and the panhandle of Florida. Each lake has a very different ecosystem. I ran across the lily pads on one of these lakes and spent the day fascinated by them.
My goal is to share the beauty and importance of swamps and wetlands. My vision is not to document but to share the emotional experience.
Thanks Steven Rosendahl
Self Critique
When I tell folks I love swamps, especially Blackwater Swamps, their first reaction is usually WHY. Most folks have not been in a swamp environment and think of dirty water, snakes, alligators, and other scary things like disease.
Once Scott guided me through the Big Cypress, I found them very beautiful, quiet, ecologically important, and needing some love.
My goal with chapter two of Blackwater is to refine my visual storytelling.
Has this ongoing project improved over last year?
What I like about the project is the Blackwater as a background creating a graphic strength to the images. The submerged rocks take on a magic quality created by the tannic acids’ color. The range of lily pad colors nature provides.
Creative Direction
My creative direction is to draw the viewer into the beauty of a small part of the swamp. I developed the images to create a solid graphic visual response, not a document.
Specific Feedback
I am looking for viewers’ emotional responses to the story.
Intent of the project
LensWork Image Suite Submission
Additional Details: The Blackwater project’s goal is to find a way to share my vision with the greatest number of people.
Alternate Images
Please provide feedback on whether any of these images would fit more cohesively in the project.
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