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mahabis visuals // the sonoma coast, by nathan wirth
As we celebrate the launch of our new ‘black edition’ summer slippers, we are continuing our series of posts with a dark theme by sharing the work of Nathan Wirth.
Nathan’s dark and brooding photographs of California’s Sonoma Coast at once evoke feelings of isolation and beauty. Rather than the sun-drenched full-colour images that we are used to seeing of America’s golden state, Wirth’s photos show us a different side to the California coast.
Images of California don’t usually conjure up a melancholic, peaceful and relaxing ambience; we are usually bombarded with photographs of bright blue skies, crowds of tourists and packed beaches. Wirth’s series offer a glimpse into the more remote parts of the coastline, where locals go to enjoy their downtime.
Shot in black and white, the scenes that Wirth captures appear even further from the idealistic view of California. In reality, these images are more than likely showing yellow sand and blue skies, but the emphasis here is on light and shadow, rather than colour.
Try to imagine yourself on this beach, wandering along the shoreline with a camera in hand, enjoying the peacefulness of being the only person on the beach. The light shines down from the sky, illuminating the tranquil water, and casting the towering rocks into darkness. You might stop to dip your toes in the sea, or relax on the sand whilst watching the waves in the distance.
Looking at the endless horizon and noting the absence of other visitors, it’s easy to imagine that the photographer comes down to this beach to bask in the solitude and enjoy his downtime.