River Rat

The marsh; what is it about this brackish, swamp-like area that is so attractive? This environment emanates gnarly gases, is filled with death and erosion, and yet has a thriving and resilient ecosystem. The marsh holds an entire world within its borders—a life of its own, with its own citizens, visitors, and rules. The sounds of the wildlife, the rhythm of the water, and the breeze through the tree branches are its voice. When I pause to listen closely, I can hear its calming whisper and find myself in a moment of peace. During that moment of Selah, amongst the sawgrass, breathing in the salt air, I can feel this ecosystem's embrace. Time slows to a standstill as, for just a moment, I am utterly immersed in the present. 

This series is the result of my curiosity about what would happen if I used the river water from the areas I am photographing to print my images—if the water in the image was tied to its creation. Could the salt print process provide the connection between the concept and technique I had been searching for? The brackish river water causes reactions with the silver when printing, creating inconsistencies such as speckling, color distortion, odd stains, streaks, and sometimes you can even see actual salt crystals. Occasionally, some areas will get unusually dark, revealing the material properties of the silver used in the printing process. Saltwater likes to do its own thing, and I never know what I might get. These unique reactions that come from collaborating with nature feel like magic: uncontrollable and exciting, making each print truly one-of-a-kind, and inspiring me to accept the beauty in the unexpected and imperfect. 

River Rat, a series of river water salt print photographs, depicts a glimpse into the life of this complicated environment and the peace it brings to my mind and soul. Sitting on the dock to cool off from the sweltering hot sun, enjoying the bounty from a day on the water, and how the vast openness of the water is so restless and beyond comprehension that it simultaneously makes one feel insignificant and integral to the greater web of the world. Within the hidden beauty of the back rivers, the secret hideaways, the elusiveness of the land that is only accessible during certain tides, the water connects and provides for this ecosystem in such a way that feels sacred to me. River Rat is the culmination of my desire to share this wild serenity with those who have yet to immerse themselves in this environment that means so much to me.