THE PETRIFIED TREES - Photo Gallery Zebra, Karjaa, Finland 2009
“As the daughter of two photographers, photography has always played an important role in my life, even though other forms of visual expression have taken the forefront. Thanks to the ease with which I can now process photos, the digital age has inspired a renewed interest in photography. I spent last winter in Kansas, USA, where the harsh weather condition literally took the local habitants by storm. While others huddled together for warmth in their abodes, myself and my adventurous American friend made over 20 trips to a large lake, Clinton Lake. It was surrounded by a difficult terrain that was clearly left to its own devices and seldom visited. Therefore these trips weren't simple strolls in the countryside, but quite hazardous at times. The fact that I was offered the use of a camera of high quality allowed me to capture the endless changes in the unexpected weather conditions and the splendid sunsets on a spot in nature that was anything but pretty in the conventional sense. There are no natural lakes in Kansas, so land has been evacuated to make room for boating and sports in the summer time.
In the large Clinton Lake the trees had been left so that during times of low tide in the winter the dead skeletons of these trees would rise above the water, or, as was often the case during this exceptional winter, the ice. The muddy shores were lined with fossils, unbelievable amounts of knotty trees that had fallen over, and fascinating roots that often appeared quite humorous. At close range, as well as from further afield, this landscape with the ghost trees and the strange balance between natural and artificial was surreal. I hope this unusual environment will offer an interesting visual experience!
Also shown in Douglas County Library 2008
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