Documentary Photographer Cara MacNally is the Edge of Humanity Magazine contributor of this photo essay. From the series ‘Mental Health & The Landscape’. To see Cara’s body of work, click on any image.

This project undertaken in 2019 explores how photographers represent their emotions and mental health through their photographic practice. A personal approach to this body of work looks at a black-and-white landscape series depicting feelings and emotions as an effect of anxiety.

Not only wanting to express feelings through photography but also showing how as a medium it can be therapeutic to those suffering silently. It is important to understand that people may view these images in different ways, but the main significance is what they represent metaphorically and how the emotions are related to what is captured within these images.

I created this project during my second year of university when struggling with anxiety and seasonal depression due to the lack of sunlight in the winter months, I decided to do a 3-hour walk along the Norfolk coastline with my film camera to capture moments during this time. I have always found walking and being out in nature a great therapy for both my mind and body.

This series of images was shot on 35mm film, using black and white to take away any distractions such as location and color, focusing purely on tones, textures and patterns and how they connote to emotions felt within the mind.

I am a documentary photographer with a practice focusing on overarching themes of deterioration, whether this be shooting digitally or on film. I feel strongly about raising awareness of worldwide issues and love to capture work that tells a story.

All images and text © Cara MacNally