Emma Gothelf Photography
Focused on the Environment
Portfolio
Nature
I am drawn to the beauty of nature… the way the branches of trees intertwine, the reflections of the sky in water, the intricate skeleton of a leaf, and the microscopic designs of flower petals. For my senior thesis project, I immersed myself in nature in different ways, took the pictures that I wanted to take, and combined them in a way that my eye saw. Using a variety of photographic techniques, I was able to capture the way nature in and of itself is art, crafted by an invisible hand. Nature’s ability to create its own designs is truly remarkable and gives rise to an astonishing array of shapes, forms, and arrangements. Nature was my inspiration.
Leaf Skeleton Cyanotypes
I am fascinated by alternative photo techniques. Cyanotypes, one of the earliest photographic printing processes, allows light and chemistry to intertwine to create ethereal blue impressions. I paired this historical, quick, natural technique with the tedious process of leaf skeletonization. The results are these distinctive cyanotypes - bold, yet delicate and intricate frameworks of nature.
Fall Leaf Study
I am interested in investigating nature through my photography. In particular, I am drawn to the positive as well as the unfortunate and overwhelmingly negative impact, that we as humans have on the environment. For this project I wanted to look at the environment in a different way, to capture people’s attention. I hoped to emphasize the beauty of our world in a way that encourages people to look at nature and become aware of the beauty in all the small details of their surroundings.
Philly’s Landscape - The New Norm
As a student, walking the streets of Philadelphia daily, I was taken by the increasing amount of garbage lining the streets. Perhaps the product of human apathy, the current pandemic, poor city planning… I crossed the city, day after day documenting how trash has come to work its way into Philadelphia’s landscape. Color relationships helped me to capture this unfortunate phenomenon.
Water Pollution
I grew up on Long Island, surrounded by water, enjoying the beaches every summer. Now, as a student athlete in Philadelphia, rowing on the Schuylkill River daily, I am very aware of the unfortunate state of the water that surrounds me. The color, smell and vast amounts of trash are pervasive. For this photo-journalism project, I documented the pollution ruining the waters that surround my hometown and a city I have temporarily, but lovingly adopted.
Muttontown Preserves
This project is a product of the early 2020 Coronavirus Pandemic lockdown. As universities across the Unites States shut down, hometown backyards became our subjects. The Muttontown Preserve on Long Island, NY, is 550 acres of beautiful wildlife and trails. As it did for so many during those early days… nature, hiking and the outdoors were an escape for me - a way to get out and breathe. With my camera in hand it also provided me with an opportunity to explore and advance my eye, skills and appreciation for nature photography.