SACRED SPIRIT II ~ False Kiva, Canyonlands
Canyonlands is one of the most majestic national parks in the United States. Several years ago, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to shoot from False Kiva, a human-made stone circle in a remote cave tucked far away from park roads and trails. It’s my understanding that this site was subsequently closed to visitors in mid-2018 due to vandalism and is currently a semi-protected site left unmarked on park maps. The view is beyond breathtaking. I had precious little time to get my shot so I quickly setup my tripod and camera and held my breath for a break in the cloud cover. Strong winds were blowing across the valley and after a short while, the sun’s rays broke through and lit up the canyon with this intensely beautiful light. The view was so spectacular, I had difficulty focusing on my camera settings. Truly one of the most magical moments in all my travels.
ARTIST STATEMENT: As though by a magnet, I’ve always felt the world pulling me, luring me to explore its mysteries and wonder. For a long time, I put my dreams on hold. Then one day in my practice as a radiologist, I met a patient whose journey would forever change my outlook.
In the Fall of 2006, a man came to me with a nagging discomfort in his chest. At 38 years old, he was so young that I thought surely it must be something benign or otherwise inconsequential. In a matter of a few short hours, his CT scan revealed that he was suffering from terminal lung cancer. His story is a reminder to us all that each day must be viewed as a very special gift.
I’ve witnessed hundreds of patients whose lives have been abruptly changed by a life-altering or life-ending diagnosis. At times we may convince ourselves that we are immortal, and that cancer or some other catastrophe only affects others, but we have no guarantees in this life. Time is too short to get lost in a blur of days, weeks, and months.
And so, I began to think more seriously about all those overseas adventures waiting for me, and soon enough, I grabbed my camera and voyaged to all 7 continents. I’ve observed Tibetan monks in prayer, hiked up the Virunga mountains of Rwanda to marvel at the Silverback gorillas in their natural habitat, and watched Bengal tigers cool off in a shallow lake to escape India’s searing heat.
I’ve met people, young and old, who have lived amazing yet ordinary lives. Along the way, I’ve spent several decades honing my craft as a portrait photographer. Whether I’m making candid images of women immersed in prayer in Abu Dhabi or portraits of television actors in my Venice Beach studio, I’ve continuously sought to capture life’s fragility and beauty.
There are no rewinds in life, so find the time to discover your inspiration, explore the extraordinary, create the unimaginable, and then leave nothing on the table.
~ Harv Greenberg, M.D.