Isolation
More than Meets the Eye
Photos and Writing by McKenna Palmer
There is more than meets the eye with the idea of isolation. It can be many things, either good or bad. A person can get a somber feeling when experiencing loneliness, or there can be hidden beauty and peace found in the solitude. It all depends on how you interpret the idea of isolation. This photo essay addresses the concept of isolation and tries to balance the beauty and pain of feeling isolated. The photos display the interesting concept through the eyes of my journey home from the small town of Sequim, WA to the rural city of Pullman. As I worked through this project, I tried to balance the somberness and peacefulness of my idea in every photo, and leave the final interpretation to the viewer.
I chose this concept for my project not only for the challenge of capturing something as intangible as a feeling, but I also chose this concept because it is relatable to everyone. It is in our nature as human beings to seek companionship, but at the same time, everyone deserves a short time to themselves. This contradictory made this project even more interesting.
"The Olympic Mountains"", Sequim, WA. An almost stereotypical example of finding solitude in literature is escaping into the mountains.
"Clear Sky, Calm Water", Sequim, WA. A wonderful part of finding solitude in nature is finding the calm within your own life.
"In the Woods", Sequim, WA. “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.” –Henry David Thoreau
"The Road Home", Driving for hours can be a lonesome task; however, it can also be a way to clear your mind.
"Only One Here", Pullman, Wa. Taken from my third story apartment window the day after I arrived home from Thanksgiving break.
"Finally Home", The Grove, Pullman WA. The first thing you do after a long trip home is take off your shoes.
"Table for One", The Compton Union Building, Pullman WA. Some people think better in groups; others think better alone.
"Stairs", The CUE, Pullman, WA. It is easy to feel isolated on the walk home on an empty campus after a long night of studying.
"Studying Solo", Holland/Terrell Library, Pullman, WA. Some things are better done by yourself. Being alone isn't always a bad thing.
"Classroom of 300", Todd Auditorium, Pullman, WA. Even when sitting in a room full of people, you can feel isolated, that is the difficulty of photographing a feeling. Feeling isolated is something you feel deep down and is difficult to show.