Summer Elkin, The Beauty Within

Summer Elkin – The Beauty Within

My photo voice participant was my friend in my sorority, Chloe; she also attends UCF and lives in the same dorm as me. She told me her three statements to go along with each photo that she sent me when I asked her these questions in person. Chloe, without pressure, consented to my use of her pictures for this project.

“A candid beach photo shows how much someone loves and respects nature. It’s like a postcard of a moment when the sea, sand, and sky all look perfect. It tells us that the person values the beauty and power of the ocean and believes we should look after our environment. It’s a reminder that nature isn’t just a pretty backdrop but an important part of our lives.”

I really empathize with this statement because, although Chloe and I are not from the same hometown, we both have very similar images in our camera rolls. This shows that its not just the physical location that is beautiful, but the deeper meaning behind this image. Chloe’s statement really allows me to see this because it shows just how meaningful something can be when you allow it to be.

” A candid picture of a tree can reveal a person’s admiration for the environment. It’s like a love letter to the great outdoors, capturing the quiet strength and beauty of trees. As I took the photo, I saw the trees as symbols of life and growth and believed in the importance of preserving our forests. This picture tells me that the person sees nature not just as scenery but as a vital part of our world that needs to be protected and respected.”

This statement allowed me to see just how similar I and Chloe are. When looking at this image, to most, its just a pretty tree, but to us, its a symbol of personal growth and that everyone has certain potentials they can reach. Just because someone’s potential is different does not mean that it is better; it just means that it is different, and that’s where beauty should be respected. I think this is so special because it can also relate back to people and although everyone may have the same type of goals, everyone gets to them in different ways, on different paths. 

“A candid picture of a sunflower field can really showcase a person’s love for the environment. This image, filled with bright, happy sunflowers, tells us that the person sees nature as a source of joy and positivity. They might see the field as a symbol of growth, renewal, and the beauty of life. It also suggests that they value the environment and understand the importance of caring for it. This picture is a vibrant reminder that our environment is full of wonders that can uplift our spirits and inspire us.”

I think that what Chloe wrote is truly beautiful. The fact that she was able to look at the color of a flower and allow that to make her feel some type of way about it The way that she is able to identify the different perspectives that many people have shows the range of beauty that this flower field has. This photo captures all of the different sunflowers and allows for the true beauty of them all to be viewed.

Theme 

After analyzing the pictures that Chloe sent me and her statements that go along with them, I gathered that Chloe looks at nature not just for the physical beauty of it but also for its deeper meaning. Although Chloe does not just focus on one specific scenery, she sees beauty in more than just one. After analyzing her statements that she made about the pictures and the beauty that she sees in them, it is so easy to see the deeper appreciation that Chloe has for nature. Since I spend a lot of time with Chloe, I know her very well, and I think that she wants everyone to see the deeper meaning behind a picture and how nature’s beauty isn’t just what we see on the outside.

A reading that I believe is relevant to the theme of the appreciation of nature is the article from Yale School of Environment, “Study Reveals Deep Nature Appreciation In the U.S. — but also Barriers to Connection.” This article explains that the connection one has with nature has to come from the person themselves. This shows that someone has to have an initial appreciation for nature to see the beauty within.