My thesis will explore how the past seven years, I have used ventures into nature as an escape mechanism. This concept came to fruition when I realized I could never put into words “why”; the best I was able to muster was: “I just like nature”. I’ve discovered that I’ve always gravitated towards major cities. My family and I have always lived in major cities, I chose a high school in a major city, then decided I should go to NYU, in an even bigger one; despite knowing full well, the urban environment puts a dampener on my image making. These big cities drive me out when I make images.
The urban landscape is oppressive, overcrowded with people, and takes away from and suppresses the nature that charms me. In response, my photography seeks out untainted composures in nature; the random green spots on the map far away from urban life that often have no name. When in these places with my camera, I am ellicted feelings of grandeur and tranquility; to be thrown into the middle and surrounded by something infinitely larger than yourself. My photography looks for the sublimity and infinity of nature that cannot be found in urban landscapes; My idea embraces the notion that while urban and metropolitan landscapes will continually grow and further intervene with nature; my repeated escapes to nameless spots with my camera solidifies the infinite and inevitable qualities that define nature when compared to our seemingly meager human existence and urban landscapes.
