Beetle, By Chance

Hana C.

Digital Photography

• Artist Statement

  After a morning of heavy rain, I stepped outside hoping to photograph pooled water on leaves or flowers. Not expecting to see any fauna, I initially thought that the insect, a white-spotted longicorn beetle, was a piece of debris. A closer look left me mesmerized by tiny specks of water glistening on the beetle. Although black and white, its vibrance drew me in. The stillness of observing, broken only by the "click" of the shutter, brought a kind of peace that for me, can only be found in nature. This common Okinawan bug, often considered a pest, quietly displayed the beauty of what is often overlooked. I was reminded to slow down and appreciate my surroundings, because you never know when you might find a beetle, by chance.

• Creative Statement

  Creativity is a quality that allows us to share our identities and perspectives, from culinary arts and fashion to the pictures on our phone lockscreens. In photography, my creativity is in the composition of my photos, what I choose to capture, and how I edit and present the pictures.