Stunning, Wild Country

My childhood was heavily influenced by the vast expanse of the Montana countryside.  I grew up outside of the city with the woods as my backyard and with the encouragement of my family to use the land to its fullest.  To me, this series has become a reflection on the land and the minimal human impact affecting it.  It is a demonstration of the beauty offered to us here in Montana with the reminder that we have access to enjoy such stunning, wild country. 

Using my Holga for this series captured the landscapes in a perfect way.  The softer focus from the lens gives the images a dreamy feel replicating that majestic look and the sensation that it is almost too beautiful to be real.  The vignetted square format creates a look to the images that make it seem as if you could be standing there seeing these landscapes through your own eyes. 

As I grow older and my view of the world has matured, I have an ever increasing gratefulness and pride that I grew up in Montana.  I have a desire to see more of the world and enjoy the beauty other places have to offer, but inside me I know that I will always return home.

-Maggie Yahvah

These are the images from my spring final this semester.  I shot them with my Holga and Kodak Portra 400 film and scanned them.