These Systems Are Not Static (2019 - Ongoing)

‘These systems are not static’ was a statement made by research ecologist Craig D Allen Ph.D. describing the ecosystems and the migration of forests within The Valle Vidal in Northern New Mexico in September 2019. It was a fleeting remark but uttered with certainty, urgency and frustration. It spoke of a disconnect in the perception of our environment. A call to action, stating an obvious fact but one that is all too easily forgotten.

These words impressed me and stuck in my consciousness; they became the title for my ongoing conceptual photographic project of making submerged self-portraits. The oxymoronic quality of pairing this statement with the visibly static photograph seemed to adequately describe the elusive and uncertain relationship photography has with reality.

The project is an ongoing investigation into how we perceive and interact with our environment but also the implications of image making at this time of climate and political crisis.

Using a large format 4×5 camera and a mechanical self-timer. I set off the timer and then run into water (be that the sea, river, lake, loch and so on) then dunk under before the shutter is released.

Despite calling them self-portraits I don’t consider the pictures to be representative of me or of my experience. Far from it. I am more interested in the implications of what can occur from denying information in photography rather than displaying it.

Currently I have 50 successful submerged-self portraits.

Selected images from the project