Our ecosystem is quite fragile. From melting icebergs in the Arctic to wildfires across the globe, our environment is on the brink of collapse. Much of it is due to human activities such as mining or deforestation, which results in excess global warming. While environmentalists are trying to awaken the masses, many are simply in a cacoon, wishing to pass their lives in blissful ignorance. Capitalism, too, exploits such incognizance by pushing false narratives. Amidst such puzzlement, how can a handful of people make the world care? This is where influential nature photographers such as Peter Essick play a pivotal role. And his new environmental photobook could help change the narrative.
The lead image is a screenshot of Peter Essick’s photobook.
Peter Essick And a Photobook on The Impact of Nature
In the past 25 years of his career, Peter Essick has significantly contributed to National Geographic Magazine. Now, in a new photobook called Work in Progress, the photographer is focusing on the transformation in Atlanta’s urban cities. Using drone photography, which was his first time using it, Essick documents the intricate beauty of the landscapes and the aftermath of this activity on the environment.
Work in Progress began in 2017, and “by accident.” Essick states that he was commuting to Fernbank Forest when he noticed intense construction along the way. “I was just amazed at the designs and the patterns of the soil… and realized that it was a pretty big environmental issue,” he said, highlighting his reasons. The photobook, which features double spreads of mesmerizing drone photographs, depicts the transient nature of these anthropogenic landscapes while commenting on the larger context. “Constructions are like that. They’re fast changing – really by the week.”
Drone photography, in some ways, liberated him, too, giving him the freedom to express himself. On the other hand, it also added to the aesthetic values of the visuals. “I find it hard to explain my deeper motives for photographing construction sites. On a personal level, I enjoy the unique challenge of capturing an ever-changing landscape,” he expressed. At the same time, the photographer also comments on the land’s history, which was once a territory of the Muscogee people. “Any attempt at restoration, cultural repatriation, or efforts to improve the tree canopy must have this as the baseline,” he explains.
The Photobook is More Than a Conversation Starter
A photobook like this can certainly break the ice during a dinner table conversation. However, the creation is far more important than that. The aerial photographs, which are both beautiful and haunting, are documents of what we are doing to nature. The pictures do not cover the felling of trees; instead, you see the arid, almost alien landscape, which makes you wonder whether it is Earth or Mars. This one little nudge is a great start for people to think about urban cities, especially the ones that do not consider vegetation. “My hope is that if someone takes the time to look through the book, the effect on the land will be apparent,” Peter Essick added.
Along with the pictures, an essay highlights how human activities between Atlanta and Raleigh will triple by 2060. The study was conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey and North Carolina State University and revealed that the region that is covered in concrete in the southern U.S. rose from seven to 18%. The write-up also sheds light on how megacities must be built intelligently and keep sustainability in mind. Peter Essick’s photobook, thus, shares a miniature but important glimpse of where we are headed. If we don’t change our trajectory now, we may well be heading towards our doom.
Peter Essick’s Work in Progress is now available for purchase on Fall Line’s website.