Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Exhibited in the Natural History Museum of London 2006-2007
Winner of Wildlife Photographer of the Year Awards – Creative Visions of Nature category (The most prestigious awards of their kind). Chosen from 30,000 entries from 80 countries
Published in BBC Wildlife Magazine and the coffee table book Portfolio 16
Selected as one of the 80 best images to show in the Natural History Museum of London from 1994-2009
Selected for the WILD PLANET tour in 2009. 5-year international tour from 2010-2015
Recognized by the Mayor of Brighton, U.K. and the Natural History Museum of London Curators in March 2010 on the opening night of the WILD PLANET tour
Published in BBC Books publication “Wild Planet”
2012 “Elements” returns to the Natural History Museum of London during the Summer Olympics
Exhibited at Benjamin’s solo exhibit at the Tennessee State Museum, 2016
Selected as the cover image for Benjamin’s 2017 book, BEYOND, foreword by Dolly Parton
I captured Elements when I was 23 years old – it was exhibited at the Natural History Museum of London a short time later and has since been exhibited in dozens of museums, galleries, and exhibitions.
You’re peering into the edge of one of the thousands of thermal pools in Yellowstone National Park. I suspended my tripod out over the pool by using a fallen branch held together by my belt, used a cable-release to trip the shutter, and prayed that the only panoramic camera I could afford didn’t fall into the abyss. The beautiful and vibrant colors come from the mixing elements found only in this particular boiling pool. The sun’s reflection is captured hovering above depths of the turquoise waters.
Much has been written about this image, but perhaps the magic in Elements lies in what I didn’t show you. As the viewer, you don’t see the whole pool, or the steam, or the setting itself. You’re only given a slice – you’re only left with impression and intrigue, you’re left void of a certain level of tangible understanding. Yet, is this not how we would describe our experience with art or nature – and is this not the very element that keeps us coming back for more?
