My thesis work is a photographic exploration of my relationship with the natural world and the fragility of that relationship is in today’s modern world. I am interested in this relationship because it is one that reveals a sadness for the loss of appreciation of nature in the world. Both the sadness and fragility, can be very beautiful and spiritual connections. My intention is to try and photographically present to the viewer an ephemeral unease in the relationship between humans and nature by using in-camera techniques, such as double exposures and motion blur, (created by changing the focus between exposures) in order to create an uncomfortable tension for the viewer.

Using processes that allow for the photographer to slow the process of creating and manipulating images like large format photography and black and white film, I am able to examine this relationship from a closer standpoint. Taking into account the many historical references in photography related to my thesis, I will be examining the work of several photographers including Justine Kurland and Edward Weston. I am also looking at the concept of straight photography and the female nude in the history of landscape photography. This body of work will serve as a way of documenting and preserving the fragile relationship that exists between humans and nature, for myself, as well as for the viewer.