When I was a child I used to have a dream that I was alone. What I mean is that I was the only person left on the Earth. I read a book borrowed from Bessbrook Library called Z for Zachariah (by Robert C O'Brien). The basic premise of the story is that a young girl has found herself alone in a post apocalyptic world. The valley she lives in has been sheltered from whatever catastrophe engulfed the rest of the world. Eventually, a stranger happens along and this girl decided that if Adam was the first man on the Earth then the last man should be named Zachariah.
This book obviously had a resonance with me. I have read quite a bit of dystopian fiction and, in general, I find it wonderful escapism. Probably my favourite book of all time is the The Road by Cormac McCarthy. It works on a similar premise to Z for Zachariah but is definitely not childrens' fiction. I have often thought that if I only ever read one book in my existence then that would be the perfect one.
Obviously, this sentiment has played on my conscience for many years. In addition to my childhood dreams of solitude I often imagine that I am alone on the Earth. Even as I sit here and type I consider the thought that this message will not be read by anyone other than me. I sometimes wonder whether memories are versions of reality or psychological comfort blankets that we store. I know this might sound slightly odd but that is how my brain works and it is one of those things that I have little control over.
When I am taking photographs I much prefer the start of the day over the end of the day. In the summer months when the sun rises really early I can be often found on an empty beach watching the sun appear over the horizon and rise out of the sea. It feels wonderful to sit on the sand watching the incessant rhythm of the tide as it reclaims and uncovers the land. Those moments often remind me of my childhood visions of a lonely world and it becomes quite easy to think that I am the only one left...
There is a sparseness about seascape photography that pulls strongly on my emotions. I find it very balanced and I gravitate towards the work of other seascape photographers. There is a beguiling beauty about a photograph with only 2 or 3 elements in them especially when those elements are the forces of nature. In addition, in many seascape photographs there are very few traces of man's presence. I do love to position an old pier against the movement of the sea to create contrast and interest but there is something ethereal about a scaleless vista that perhaps asks more questions than it answers.
Michael Kenna often mentions what is 'unseen' in a photograph. He is more interested in suggestion rather then description. I understand that. We have so much information forced on to us on a daily basis that it becomes quite cathartic to view a photograph that tells us only part of the story. It is then down to the viewer to decide what the rest of that story should be.
The photograph that accompanies my blog today wraps a lot of these emotions up in one image. The sea mist helped create a very ethereal moment. I had the sense of standing at the end of the Earth. I could only see as far as the mist would allow and I felt that there was nothing but the depths of space beyond my view. The sun was just strong enough to make it's way through the mist to illuminate the water and the sand and this added to the sense of isolation that I felt at this moment. It was a truly special morning.
I have to finish by saying that loneliness and being alone are very different things in my world. Loneliness is an emotion that is characterised by a desire to be in the company of others. Being alone can be very peaceful. I am surrounded by wonderful people that I love and care for and I wouldn't change that for the world - even if my brain does wander off on occasions.
Peace and light - Darren
