About the Essential Form - A Talk given by Beth Moon

As part of the Festival La Gacilly Baden, Beth Moon was giving a talk at the Leica Gallery in Vienna.

Beth Moon is an extraordinary photographer whose work stands out for its deep connection to nature, particularly her profound fascination with ancient, gnarled trees and ravens. For many years, Moon has dedicated herself to capturing the essence of these natural wonders using analog medium format cameras, working predominantly in black and white. Her choice of analog photography, a meticulous and time-consuming process, reflects her commitment to creating images that are not just visually striking but also rich in meaning.

I personally had the chance to see her series “Odins Cove” in 2016 in Carmel/California in the United States and was completely blown away by the details and how close she got to these ravens. This series was created after Beth lost two close people and visited a remote beach only accessible by a 2 mile walk. There she met two ravens who had become accustomed to her visits and remembered her face. This allowed her to get very close to them and she was able to take an incredible series of photographs of this pair.

Beth Moon and Lois Lammerhuber at the Leica Gallery Vienna

Beth Moon

One of the distinctive aspects of Beth Moon's work is her approach to reproducing her photographs. She employs a direct copy process, allowing her to produce large-scale contact prints that preserve the intricate details and textures of her subjects. This method aligns perfectly with her analog approach, offering a tangible connection between the viewer and the natural world she so lovingly documents. The resulting look is reminiscent of 1920s photographs, almost as if they were drawn with a pencil. (Again, check out Odins Cove!)

It wasn’t until her recent series “Diamond Nights” that Moon began experimenting with digital cameras and color photography, recognizing that color was essential to conveying the full depth and vibrancy of these new images.

It’s important to understand her process and why the images have this deep meaning and fascination.

Moon's work is particularly remarkable for its simplicity. She does not rely heavily on advanced technical equipment or an array of lenses. Instead, her images are the result of patience, dedication, and a deep respect for her subjects. This approach has led her to spend many years on single projects, allowing her to develop a profound understanding of the environments she photographs. The resulting images are not just beautiful—they are imbued with a sense of history, time, and the inevitable changes that nature undergoes.

Beth Moon

Beth Moon is best known for her hauntingly beautiful photographs of ancient, oddly shaped trees. These trees, often located in remote and hard-to-reach places, are not the famous landmarks that one might expect. Instead, they are the silent witnesses of history, standing for centuries in relative obscurity. Her work has gained even more significance in recent years as some of these trees have collapsed due to climate change, making her photographs an essential record of what once was.

Fascinated crowd listening to Beth Moon

In addition to her tree photography, Beth Moon has also created a stunning series on ravens. This series is particularly impressive because it was shot using a 16-35mm lens, which required her to get incredibly close to these elusive birds. The resulting portraits are intimate and powerful, revealing the ravens’ personalities in a way that few photographers have managed to capture.

All eyes on Beth Moons photos - sometimes, I take the liberty and spice up my event photography with some arty photos

Beth Moon’s humility and passion shine through in her work. She has a unique ability to convey the spirit of the natural world, whether through the twisted limbs of ancient trees or the piercing gaze of a raven. Her photographs are more than just images; they are a testament to the enduring beauty and fragility of our planet.

To find out more about her work, please visit her homepage.

Thanks Leica Store Vienna, Festival La Gacilly/Lois Lammerhuber and Landesinnung Wien der Berufsfotografie to make this happen.