Hidden Woodland

March 20, 2021

Hidden in plain sight. Hidden Woodland is about my relationship with one local trail over one year’s time. During this project, I explored the finer details of my local woodland during one year of quarantine during the Corona Virus Pandemic. All images were created between March 20, 2020 to March 20, 2021.

On March 20, 2020 California’s mandatory stay-at-home order went into effect and life as we knew it began to change. We were allowed to leave our homes but only for life’s essentials. Health care professionals stressed the importance of regular exercise during quarantine. Some of us worked out in their living rooms, yards and/or balconies. Walks in our neighborhoods, parks and trails were allowed as long as you followed all local health and safety guidelines (practiced social distancing, wore a face covering, etc.).

With the world seemingly upside down, photography and all things creative had never been so distant from my thoughts. After months of quarantine and a lack of a creative outlet, I decided it was time to bring my camera along on our walks. I also felt a change of scenery was in order so I decided to visit a local trail not too far from our home for a sunrise walk. Majority of visitors to this area do not take this trail (especially at sunrise) so I felt it was a safe way to exercise as well as explore an area that I have overlooked for years. I might even make an image or two if I was lucky. I packed my usual photography kit, a snack and a headlamp for tomorrow’s morning walk. After almost four months of little interest in making new photographs, I began to recognize a familiar feeling of pre-adventure excitement. In many ways, it felt like I was going on another multi-day photography trip.

I got up a good hour before sunrise and made the short drive to the lake. It was quiet, calm and peaceful, exactly what I needed. After a few minutes of soaking in the silence, I made my way down to the trail and began my walk through the trees. After about a half-hour into my walk I noticed a nice display of colors blending on some plants. The sun hadn’t come out just yet so there was a cool blue tone to the scene that really caught my eye. It was a bit windy so it gave me some time to try and frame it up just right. It took a few minutes but eventually the wind stopped long enough. for me to make an exposure. Those few minutes allowed me to really take in and enjoy this little scene. Over the last few years I have enjoyed the slowing down of my process as it allowed me to really appreciate the scene but this time it felt different. I felt more impactful. Maybe my feelings were amplified due to the lack of excitement of making images in a few months, or maybe because it was type of scene I wasn’t expecting to see, or maybe because this area was so accessible from home. Later, I realized it was all three.

I was drawn to several small scenes that morning. They ranged from interesting lines within tree bark, colorful patterns on leaves and interesting areas of lichen to name a few. I began to see all the hidden little environments in the nooks and crannies of the trail. I began to imagine how this area looked from an ant’s perspective, how it looks from way down low looking up or from way above. It felt good to look really close at these scenes, to study their patterns, colors and textures. I was a refreshing perspective and it peaked my curiosity.

I looked at my watch and I noticed two hours had passed. It was time to head home to have breakfast with Kat. As I drove home, I wondered what else was there at this local trail. What else could I see? What other hidden landscapes were tucked away hidden in plain sight? I knew I had to go back.

To my surprise I made quite a few images that morning. Even more surprising was that I felt really good about them. It was something new, fresh and interesting. Although there were some technical challenges with the wind that I couldn’t overcome and my muscle memory was a bit rusty I simply had fun. I hadn’t had that much fun making photographs in a long time. It was refreshing. I felt the excitement starting to come back. I looked forward to coming back and exploring more of this trail.

Over the next nine months, I would come back and like a kid explore the trail’s nooks and crannies. Sunrise, sunset, midday, muddy days, sweaty days and even bug-bitten days, I enjoyed them all. I had watched these scenes slowly change and some no longer exist. During this time, I began to slow down even more and took a closer look at my environment. My eyes began to wander around and discover small worlds and intimate scenes. Each one unique and each offering their own story. Through my time with these slow-changing scenes I have found balance and peace in what has been a quickly changing world.

During the pandemic, engrossing myself in longer term photography projects not only helped me get through this difficult time but also creatively. It’s through these projects that I was able to sink deep into a theme whether it be location, subject or technical execution. It gave me an opportunity to compose a body of work that I could later look back upon and be proud of. It made the work that I created there truly special. It allowed me to spend more time with my gallery of images to ensure I was truly happy with them before release.

Hidden Woodland has been a very fulfilling project. Not only has it been a healthy outlet from the effects of quarantine and the pandemic but it has given me an opportunity to see more intimately all the beauty that I normally would unknowingly walk past. Creatively, it challenged me to dig deeper and slow down my process. I was able to truly experience this area through a full cycle of seasons. Lastly, it has been a way to connect and celebrate my hometown of San Diego.

My hopes are that moving forward as we begin to slowly emerge out of this pandemic, we as a community will celebrate more of the beauty from each of our hometowns. I hope we see more long form photography projects being created, techniques being explored and boundaries pushed. All of which can only help us all contribute to an updated global photography portfolio, one which contains inspiring new imagery from unfamiliar places and a refreshed look at familiar ones.

2020 has challenged us all without a doubt but I am hopeful that the beauty of nature, the creative arts, people and community will shine brighter than the darkest of times.

Below is a link to the full gallery. Thank you for taking time to visit.

Welcome to Hidden Woodland.