Seeing the Other World Through Invisible Light in Costa Rica

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Costa Rica, A bucket list destination!

 

In 1989 I first learned about the impending climate crisis when I attended a summer camp called Camp Broadstone in Boone, North Carolina. It was covered in an environmental science program for campers. I learned how important preserving forests is to protecting the habitability of the climate because the draw in carbon dioxide and emit oxygen. This knowledge lead me a few years later to become involved in a fundraising effort to establish a rainforest preserve in Costa Rica. Please watch this short video to find out the story behind it! One of the camp teachers Eustace Conway is a Native American individual who lives in and practices the traditional lifestyle of the indigenous of the land. He taught us all about the spiritual connection and interdependent relationship we humans have with the earth. His guidance and teaching was imperative to not only my art but also my lifestyle. 

Click to watch the story of how I helped establish a rainforest preserve in Costa Rica.

 

Taking A Splash Into Our Honeymoon

Because of my connection to the rainforest preserve I had always wanted to go to Costa Rica. Fast forward to 2007, my husband and I traveled to Costa Rica for our honeymoon. We had a grand adventure! We rafted down the Paquare river, surfed and snorkeled at Manuel Antonio and hiked the cloud forests in Monteverde and Arenal regions. If nature is your thing, Costa Rica is a must on your once in a lifetime vacation bucket list! The river rafting trip was particularly awesome as these photos attest:

My Favorite Experience

Among my favorite experiences was hiking in the cloud forests where we could go out on suspension bridges that swayed between two mountains. This put us in the tree canopy where the animals reside. The forests were so full of humidity that it supported incredible biodiversity. Every tree was carpeted with epiphytes. We were surrounded by beautiful blooming orchids and bromeliads. Because of the clouds in the forest dew drops would form on all the foliage. When the clouds would crack open, the sun rays shone on the water droplets on all of the foliage, and the canopy sparkled like heavenly diamonds! It was spectacular!


 

Finding Balance For The Right Shot

I stood still with my husband on a suspension bridge in the Selvatura Canopy. We had been advised before the trip to use no scented personal care products, wear brown or green to blend in, make no noise, and no movement to see the animals in the cloud forest. I brought my infrared film and large format camera on this trip. I wanted to depict my absolute reverence for the incredible biodiversity with the ethereal and spiritual appearance of black and white infrared photography. Infrared film photography requires complete stillness to compensate for the long exposures. This, which normally would be an inconvenience, actually worked in our favor for really amplifying our experience. 

My husband and I posing on the suspension bridge

Overcoming The Bridge Traffic

Creating a composition that would create a sense of balance and peace in the photograph was my intention. I noticed these two trees that stuck up above all the others and were particularly laden with epiphytes. I set up my camera on the bridge. This bridge was incredibly sensitive and moved quite a lot whenever another person or party would cross, so we had to be patient and still while waiting 15 minutes in between each person passing for the bridge to stop bouncing and swaying. Any movement would have resulted in blurry photographs due to the long exposures of 30 seconds! These shots required both stillness and silence. This resulted in a meditative experience where I felt fully present for the first time in a while, especially after the stress of planning our wedding. This was so spiritually rejuvenating! In our stillness, we were able to see the rare animals of Costa Rica who were blending into their surroundings.

Party of hikers after party of hikers kept passing us by, so the bridge kept bouncing. Every time the bridge almost stopped moving another party of hikers would cross while laughing and talking loudly. At that time all the animals would disappear! I started to wonder if I would ever get a chance to take the shot! After patiently waiting 45 minutes and blissfully absorbing my surroundings, I was finally able to take the photograph and the results were so worth it! Because of my Otherworldly Visions photo series of infrared photography, my husband and I were able to see the beautiful biodiversity of Costa Rica that the other resort guests missed out on. 

Selvatura Rainforest Canopy, Costa Rica shot from a suspension bridge (Click the image to shop the print)

The Next Adventure

Our journey didn’t end there. We took the tumultuous four hour hike up an extinct volcano, Cerro Chato Mountain in Costa Rica. Beware of the trees because they are home to many poisonous snakes and prepare for humidity. It’s like you are walking through misty fog to get to any location. Pro tip: If you ever visit this location, don’t bring an digital camera without water seals because it will get water damage from the humidity! Since I was using mechanical film cameras I had nothing to worry about.

A Misty Journey

Halfway up the mountain we discovered a short side trail labeled with a sign that that read “Cascada” (waterfall in Spanish). Intrigued we followed the path. Upon arriving at the end we found a clearing in the forest where the sun could break through and a torrent of water was cascading down into a swirling pool. All around that pool were ferns and other plants taking advantage of the break in the forest canopy. I knew I had to capture this scene with the beautiful splendor of my infrared film and large format camera! The power of the water was churning the pool so mightily that that mist was rising up off the surface. The humidity, rain, and mist was constantly fogging my camera lens. Because I was shooting infrared on large format, there were many steps I had to take to prepare for each exposure including focusing, then adding the filter, connecting a shutter release cable, and finally making the photograph. It was nearly impossible to do all this and keep the mist from fogging my lens and filter. After attempting several times to set up my camera and clean the lens, I nearly gave up with frustration! I turned to my husband who had just returned to see if I was finished. I expressed my dismay about getting this shot. To my luck, my husband had previously purchased an anti-fog cloth for his glasses that did the trick for my lens and filter! When the image was finally developed, I was so excited. The mist coming off from the waterfall, I felt, made the shot even better because it captured the experience of witnessing Cerro Chato Cascada’s immense beauty.

Cerro Chato Mountain Costa Rica taken as mist fills the bottom left corner of the frame

(Click the image to shop the print)

My husband and I being goofy and excited on our honeymoon in Costa rica after reaching the top of the Cerro Chato Mountain

This trip made me feel most connected to Mother Earth and her splendor. It felt like a spiritual awakening and I can never recommend Costa Rica enough. At Monteverde you can immerse yourself in the biodiversity of the rainforest. Before you kick the bucket, you absolutely have to witness the Selvatura Canopy and the Cerro Chato Mountain. Then lounge in natural hot springs, and even see a volcanic eruption! Most importantly go ther to be reminded of our interdependent relationship with the planet. 

Let us know one of your bucket list destinations in the comments below!