Wild Edges: Photographs of People, Place and Planet, an exhibition by Rebecca Douglas, storyteller of nature

This weekend marks the second month of Wild Edges. My solo photography exhibition, at Albion House Hotel in Ramsgate. Having my work displayed in this beautiful venue has been a dream come true, and the feedback has been nothing short of magickal.

In this blog post, I delve into the concept of ‘wild edges’, sharing some of my favourite images from the exhibition and the stories behind them. As I reflect on these unforgettable experiences: from the mesmerising sight of gannets diving underwater in their natural habitat of The Shetland Isles to other cherished moments captured through my lens.

A photography exhibition where nature’s raw beauty and curiosity meet 

Wild Edges is an exploration of the places where nature’s raw beauty and human curiosity meet. It’s about the fringes. Those liminal spaces where the known gives way to the unknown and the wilderness calls you into the mystery of the untamed. 

An invitation to pause and go beyond the frame, as you cross the threshold to explore. Expect a dopamine dose of enchantment and curiosity as you connect to the raw beauty of nature to reimagine what’s possible.

Going beyond the frame: Wild Women

As a wild woman with ADHD and a camera, I once viewed myself as an outsider, but now I embrace my wild edges. Wild Edges captures this essence. Exploring the intersections where nature’s raw beauty and human curiosity converge.

In 2021, at the age of 37, I was diagnosed with ADHD. This diagnosis revealed that my ADHD enables me to notice details others might miss. Like the movement of leaves and light as they shift into the perfect shot. When I’m behind the camera, I enter a state of hyperfocus. Fully immersed in the moment, the subject, and the light. As soon as I hold the camera, I lose sensation in my body. The moment becomes the only thing that matters.

Wild places: Islands, the liminal boundary between land and sea

Living here in the UK, we’re all islanders. Islands stand as captivating gems. Each possessing a distinct identity and narrative that transcends geographical boundaries.

Islands remind us of boundaries. The liminal boundary between land and sea, where the physical isolation and remoteness can be a metaphor for boundaries we hold within ourselves. 

Each of us is, essentially, an island with boundaries that can make us feel landlocked when waters around us feel impassable. This is how I often felt before my ADHD diagnosis and has made me realise more than ever why I feel such an innate connection to nature.

Exploring some of the most secluded islands around the British Isles has been an odyssey of revelation for me. From captivating encounters with seabirds to the mesmerising beauty of the islands and the hidden treasures beneath the sea. The wonders of these remote ecosystems continue to leave me in awe.

Wild planet: The story of the gannets

Diving into the Wild Edges of the Shetland Isles was an unforgettable experience. As I had the rare opportunity to capture the ethereal beauty of gannets in their natural habitat. 

These magnificent birds, known for their astonishing migratory journeys, are a frequent sight along the Kent coast. However, observing them in the Shetland Isles offered an incredible and intimate glimpse into their lives. 

Scotland: A crucial sanctuary for these seabirds

Scotland is home to 40% of the world’s gannet population. Making it a critical sanctuary for these seabirds. Yet, the toll of avian flu is evident, casting a shadow over their striking blue eyes. 

There are very few images of gannets diving underwater in the UK. And with the Shetland Isles notably being one of the best places in the UK to photograph gannets underwater due to the crystal-clear oceanic seas that surround the islands, I’ve been wanting to get there for a while. The water clarity allows for breathtaking underwater shots. Revealing the gannets’ graceful dives and swift movements in stunning detail. What I witnessed was nothing short of incredible.

Wild Edges: Gannets diving underwater

With a six-foot wingspan, pristine white plumage, black wingtips, a yellow-tinted head and a dagger-shaped bill, the Northern Gannet is not only Europe’s largest but also one of its most strikingly beautiful breeding seabirds. Capturing them diving underwater is something which will stay in my heart forever.  

From young, chubby and buoyant gannets unable to dive to their adult counterparts moving with grace as they pierced the water with such amazing velocity – it was an experience which will stay with me forever and one I know I was so fortunate to have witnessed. 

By showcasing these images in this exhibition, I aim not only to celebrate their raw beauty and resilience but also to underscore the urgent need for conservation. Amidst the awe-inspiring wonders witnessed that day, both above and below the water, there were also moments of heart-wrenching devastation.

The visual evidence of the brutal impact of floating fishing nets and marine litter – their biggest threats – and the population decline caused by bird flu, adds another layer of urgency to the plight of these incredible birds. This exhibition is a call to action. Emphasising the critical importance of protecting these magnificent creatures and their fragile habitats.

View the collection here.

Connect with your wildness and an untameable shift happens 

Photography lies at the core of narrating visual stories that encapsulate the essence of people, places, and our planet. Celebrating the untamed beauty of our natural world. I firmly believe that within each of us lies a deep connection to nature, and when we embrace this connection, profound and untameable shifts occur. 

These shifts challenge the damaging mainstream narrative of ‘bigger, faster, better, more’, emboldening people to prioritise the preservation of our planet in everything they do. It is my aspiration that Wild Edges ignites this passion among all who visit the exhibition.

Wild Edges: Supporting a movement 

Wild Edges came to life through a collaborative effort with POW Thanet. An organisation whose work I passionately advocate for. Supporting POW means investing in a movement that not only enhances artistic expression but also champions gender equality and fosters community engagement. This year, their theme, UNAPOLOGETIC REST, encourages women to embrace the transformative power of rest and join a revolution.

The exhibition is free to view in The Albion House Hotel Ramsgate until the end of 25 October 2024 and I can confidently say that this journey has been a dream realised. Filled with magickal moments and profound reflections.

From capturing the mesmerising dives of gannets in the Shetland Isles to exploring the liminal spaces of remote islands, Wild Edges has been an exploration of where human curiosity meets the raw beauty of nature. It’s a celebration of our innate connection to the wild. Urging us to reimagine what’s possible and challenging us to protect our planet.

Through my lens, I’ve sought to amplify voices often unheard: from the resilient seabirds of Scotland to the serene isolation of our island coasts. Each image tells a story of resilience and fragility. Urging us to act with urgency to conserve our natural wonders.

As Wild Edges concludes, I invite you to visit The Albion House Hotel in Ramsgate to experience these stories firsthand. Let these images inspire you to connect with your own wildness and join the movement to protect our planet. Together, we can ensure that the wild edges of our world endure for generations to come.

To continue exploring and supporting this cause, visit my print shop for more images, including those of the magnificent gannets. Thank you for being part of this journey.