Eric Rosenwald

Deserts are often mistaken as lifeless, barren lands — hostile to all but the most stubborn, foolish travelers. It’s not true. The great American deserts welcomely offer sublime, undisturbed and rugged wilderness.

The brightest colors, most alien-looking plants, and bizarre geological formations that I’ve come across in my desert travels are miles from even the slightest trace of humanity. Only after several days of cross-country backpacking through desert wilderness do I feel I can fully appreciate their surreal wonders. The further you venture and more vulnerable you become, the more visible nature’s rewards become.

I tend to shoot in the middle of the day. Desert sunlight is usually harshest during these hours, presenting major challenges to a photographer. However, it’s important for me to show the viewer what the desert look like in it’s most exceptional state: Intense, bright, midday sun. Surprisingly, overcast days aren’t rare. Cirrus clouds will blanket the afternoon sky, diffusing and softening the intense light. I take advantage of these moments whenever possible.

I’m attracted to geometric patterns in nature. I enjoy leaving the viewer with little sense of context as to what they’re viewing. By taking photographs with a narrow field of view (as opposed to expansive, wide-angle shots) I can focus on color, lighting, and the strange, mysterious forms that my subjects take.

I don’t attempt to simply document what I come across. I like to take my time with my subjects as if I were taking portraits. Inanimate objects often seem to have a personality or character that’s important for me to capture. I want the viewer to have the same emotional reaction to nature that I have. A cactus may only be a plant, but the mysterious curves, colors and intricate textures in it belie a character that is as energetic as that of any animal.

B.S. in Aerospace Engineering / Minor in Mathematics

G2 Gallery; Venice, California
Mojave National Preserve Gallery; Kelso, California

Modern, Abstract & Contemporary art

modern art, desert, landscape, fine art, nature, abstract