As Far As The Eye Can See is a series of three photos done for UNCG's 2024-2025 Dean's Summer Research Project. This project was done under the mentorship of Dr. Ali. Those projects focused on the meaning of "As Far As The Eye Can See" in both concepts of photography and in life.
The term is used as a reference to expansive landscapes and depth. Other ways to do this are using composition techniques like the rule of thirds, the golden ratio, negative space, or line language. I see As Far As the Eye Can See in Life as a reference to limitless possibilities. This can be used in ways of being open to the future, emotions, mental, and physical.
Partnered with each photograph is a section of a journal entry that was made that day, while at the sight of the photo or after.
Dreaming of Shindo Falls/振動 の 滝 の 夢
July 28, 2023
This is so unreal. I feel as if I’m in the sky. I never experienced something like this. For some reason, the grass and the leaves in Japan are just so unbelievably green. We are high up on what is mentioned to be one of Japan’s longest walkable bridges. It’s called Kokonoe Yume, I recognized the word Yum, which means dream. I learned that word recently from Mirei. Have no idea what Kokonoe means, though. While I was on the bridge, I took a picture of the waterfalls there. I’ve never seen a waterfall before. I just couldn’t stop staring. It was never-ending, even when you looked down. I felt at peace just watching and hearing the water, it was a type of peace I had never felt before. In that moment, it was just me and the world around me. I was probably staring and taking photos of the waterfall for almost the whole time. I learned through Google that the waterfall is called Shindo no Tak,i and waterfalls have genders.
Measured in Moments
July 29, 2023
As I look up at Kumamoto Castle, I feel small in comparison. I had to kneel to even get the whole castle in view. I got to hear about and read about the castle, but considering I’m only a beginner in Japanese, I didn’t understand the more difficult Kanji. Just walking around and looking at the pictures and paintings, the history of the place just radiates from the castle. It almost felt as if I was intruding on a place that should be admired from afar. It felt surreal being here in this moment, in a building that withstood centuries of war and different rulers, yet my presence here is only a brief moment in the collection of moments that took place here. This photo is an attempt to capture history so immeasurable in a single moment, and the power it gave off. I was able to get a couple of souvenirs, though. I got a golden pendant with the castle printed and a fan with the bear I keep seeing outside my hotel window.