As humanity progresses, our connection with nature has steadily eroded, viewing it more as an unfamiliar entity, in contrast to our ancestors who shared a profound bond with its knowledge, cycles, and dynamics, and held a deep respect for its essence. For those entrenched in metropolitan life, ecological connection often becomes a mere slogan, a distant concern unrelated to our daily lives. Photography is a powerful tool for documenting people and places that may seem distant from our reality, yet still possess a profound and haunting presence.
Canadian photographer Nicholas X Bent's body of work portrays trees as distinct entities, imbued with personalities and a unique appeal. Through manipulation of the camera, using techniques such as long exposure shots, nature is depicted as wild creatures emerging from the shadows. Influenced by pictorialism, Xbent's images aim to evoke a sense of estrangement in viewers, while ultimately seeking to provoke the lost connection with nature that we experience.
