Image: 1994 FIRE ! by Albert D. Horner
National Photography Month falls in May, a time of changing seasons and the perfect opportunity to get outdoors with a camera—and to admire the works of those who do. The New Jersey Pine Barrens, a beloved facet of New Jersey’s natural spaces, has made headlines this season after devastating fires swept through. Following this destruction, if conditions are right, the forest will re-emerge, renewed. Today, let’s spend time with the work of two photographers, Albert D. Horner and Heather Palecek, who have roamed and worked collaboratively with the pines.
“The best photographers more or less shoot where they live. This was a great opportunity for me to key in on that, because I knew the Pinelands so well.” – Photographer Albert D. Horner
The Pinelands Protection Act in 1979 cemented protection for this local treasure. A traveling salesman turned environmental photographer, Albert D. Horner (1946-2024)‘s work was pivotal in increasing awareness of the Pinelands—by sharing its beauty. “Ecologically, the Pinelands is extremely important,” Albert said in our conversation with him, noting that it is a Unesco World Biosphere Reserve and home to incredibly pure and important waterways. Our 2019 feature of Albert D. Horner includes a stop by his exhibition at the New Jersey State Museum, which was one of his life goals.
A solargraph by Heather Palecek showing the sun’s passage over many days.
“These processes force me to slow down, to be mindful while making my work.” – Photographer Heather Palecek
Many photographers are drawn to the Pinelands, and their work highlights the value of this special ecosystem. Heather Palecek works collaboratively with the forest, truly using nature as her medium. A historical process photographer, she sets up pinhole box cameras in trees. Light slowly develops the photosensitive paper inside the small Altoid tins that Heather uses as cameras. Afterwards, weeks or even months later, she returns to collect her stunningly unique solargraphs. Our feature with Heather Palecek includes the exhibition A Pinelands Portrait: Art of the Pine Barrens at the Stockton University Art Gallery.
Photography has a way of connecting people and places. This season, find inspiration in our natural spaces, be it through a walk in a forest or by losing yourself in the details of a photograph.
