A black and white photograph of a house in bright sunlight in Oakland, California
A black and white photograph of a street in Oakland, California showing cars and the trunks of tall palm trees
A black and white photograph of a roundabout in Oakland, California, with a car in the foreground and a cloud that looks like a mountain in the distance
A black and white photograph of ivy growing over a black fabric covered fence in Oakland, California
A close up black and white photograph of a bee on a flowering plant beside the tip of a wrought iron fence in Oakland, California's Ivy Hill neighborhood
A black and white photograph of the front of a duplex in Oakland, California, featuring a flowering plant and late afternoon shadows
A black and white photograph of plants on the sidewalk in Oakland, California
A black and white photograph of a parking area between apartment buildings in Oakland, California
A close up black and white photograph of a tree in front of a brick wall in Oakland, California
A black and white picture of homes, a bird, and a faded American flag in Oakland, California
A close up abstract black and white photograph depicting layers of fences in Oakland, California
A black and white photograph of the base of a tree, glowing in evening light, in Oakland, California
A black and white photograph of a car covered by willows at night in Oakland, California
A black and white photograph of a plant growing out of a fence, glowing in late day light, in Oakland, California

Going on walks to make these pictures has been a coherent thread, helping me feel rooted during a period of turmoil and uncertainty. This habit serves as a form of meditation, even prayer. I often recall a favorite line from Ecclesiastes: “Light is sweet, and it is pleasant for the eyes to see the sun.”

It is tempting to adopt a doomed mindset, thinking that the smoke can only ever get worse, repression and injustice are inevitable, and there is no way back from political dysfunction and ecological destruction. When I feel worried or worn down, I seek solace in one of the simplest beautiful things I am aware of: sunlight. I walk without any destination in mind, looking for reminders of something holy and true in the light reflecting off the landscape of the city.

~2024