Naturally Abstract

The Huntington Gardens, in a new light

By Mark Smith

April 17^th, 2022

This isn't what it looked like.

It was a beautiful day at the Huntington Gardens. Bright sun, mild temperatures, not crowded. Perfect for a photo field trip.

From the start I wanted to see the gardens in a different, more abstract way - not exactly as they were, but in a new light. Some of these photos simplify nature by exaggerating colors and shapes; others add a sense of motion and a layer of complexity. They mix reality with surreality, straddling the line between non-fiction and fiction.

At a point in time when world events can be all TOO real, this alt visual perspective feels refreshing. And it gives me yet another way to engage with nature. See what you think.