While I derive great pleasure from making photographs, I have to question the relevance of landscape photography in a time when there seems to be so much wrong with this country and the world. Somehow, this country elected an individual who seems to have very limited intelligence, no appreciation of art or literature, and believes that he knows better than anyone else, no matter what area of endeavor under discussion. I have not felt so absolutely uncomfortable since the days of the Vietnam War, when it was difficult to figure out why so many of my friends were dying in a land far away for seemingly no reason at all. We heard endlessly about the domino theory and how all of Southeast Asia would fall if we did not defend South Vietnam from Ho Chi MIn. Well, thousands died, we lost the war, and what happened was that Vietnam is now a major tourist destination. Looking back, I can only feel fortunate that my draft number was not called, and immensely saddened when I think of my high school and college classmates who lost their lives for absolutely no reason at all. Now, we are in a similarly insane time, and while there is no draft any more, it feels as if the floor is constantly shifting beneath my feet as one man’s insanity wrecks havoc on much of society. So how do I justify making landscape photographs when all around me so many terrible things are happening? In fact, the whole concept of a democratic society is being challenged.
Well, the truth is that it is extremely difficult to state that my images are essential for any reason at all. If I did not make my photographs, I’m not sure that they would be missed at all. But I do hope that they accomplish a few things. First, they serve to remind us of the gift that we have been given by being placed on this beautiful earth. If the artist can somehow reveal that beauty, even to a limited number of individuals, they might be reminded of how everyone’s stewardship of the land is so critically important. Ignoring the earth’s needs and failing to preserve it for future generations seems to be a terrible potential catastrophe from which we could never fully recover. Secondly, the production of an artistic vision might hopefully inspire others to take up the challenge and produce their own art, whether it be landscape or otherwise. Art is something that serves us all in so many ways. I would suggest that art is one of the highest callings of mankind, as it provides a view of life that elevates us and incites us to think about our world in unique and novel ways. In fact, all one needs to do is look at the dollar value placed on art to see how concretely it is valued, above and beyond the seemingly incalculable value of art in nourishing us emotionally and spiritually. Few endeavors are as valuable as creativity, whether in art, photography, literature, music, sculpture, or any of the other avenues that people pursue. Even athletics, when performed at the highest levels, can be profoundly artistic and meaningful in ways that go well beyond scoring runs or making points. There are many other victories to be found in sports artistry that go beyond the goal of winning a championship. Lastly, from an individual perspective, the artist is often unable to stop making art, no matter what is occurring in the surrounding world. This endless drive to produce art comes from deep within one’s being. If one were to stop, it would create a vacuum that is profoundly difficult to fill at the most basic personal levels, since you would, in essence, be asking that individual to stop attempting to stop trying to reveal his or her insights into the complicated world in which we live. Throughout history, even in the most oppressive of regimes, artists have continued to make their art in terribly difficult circumstances. The work of many of these artists has gone on to live long after they have passed, and has served to make us all aware of both their suffering as well as their incredible vision of the world in which they lived.
So art continues to have great value, even in the worst of times. We must not lose sight of that, no matter how problematic society may be from time to time. In the end, if people survive, art will survive as well and will continue to yield incredible benefits for all.
Light Through the Redwood Forest Fog, Del Norte Redwood State/National Park, California