Los Angeles-based photographer and artist Kevin Cooley uses light as a medium to raise awareness of our impact on the environment around us, focusing mainly on the four elements: earth, wind, water and fire. Pictured, an image from Cooley's "Still Burning" series, which aims to help us better understand the relationship between wildfires and humanity.
Los Angeles-based photographer and artist Kevin Cooley uses light as a medium to raise awareness of our impact on the environment around us, focusing mainly on the four elements: earth, wind, water and fire. Pictured, an image from Cooley's "Still Burning" series, which aims to help us better understand the relationship between wildfires and humanity.
Kevin Cooley
The element of fire is personal to Cooley, having nearly lost his home to one in 2017. Pictured: the Los Angeles County Bobcat Fire burns in the distance. It was one of many in 2020 that made the year the largest recorded wildfire season in California's history. Cooley aims to make these disasters "almost beautiful," he said, "(because) that's how you can bring attention to them."
The element of fire is personal to Cooley, having nearly lost his home to one in 2017. Pictured: the Los Angeles County Bobcat Fire burns in the distance. It was one of many in 2020 that made the year the largest recorded wildfire season in California's history. Cooley aims to make these disasters "almost beautiful," he said, "(because) that's how you can bring attention to them."
Kevin Cooley
California has also experienced periods of extreme drought, sparking Cooley's interest in water. Photographing waves is one of his latest ventures, highlighting powerful ocean mechanics and revealing deeper human connections to our planet.
California has also experienced periods of extreme drought, sparking Cooley's interest in water. Photographing waves is one of his latest ventures, highlighting powerful ocean mechanics and revealing deeper human connections to our planet.
Kevin Cooley
Using "prolonged exposure and artificial lighting," Cooley said these photographs are "equal parts natural wonder and constructed spectacle."
Using "prolonged exposure and artificial lighting," Cooley said these photographs are "equal parts natural wonder and constructed spectacle."
Kevin Cooley
Cooley's 2016 installation "Fallen Water" aimed to bring attention to the global freshwater crisis, through a video compilation of Canadian waterways flowing toward Lake Ontario.
Cooley's 2016 installation "Fallen Water" aimed to bring attention to the global freshwater crisis, through a video compilation of Canadian waterways flowing toward Lake Ontario.
Kevin Cooley
This photograph, part of Cooley's "Unexplored Territory" series, illuminates a trail of light across the landscape tracing Mexican explorer Juan Bautista de Anza's path through the Southern California desert -- a trail which now <a target="_blank" target="_blank">bears the explorer's name</a>.
This photograph, part of Cooley's "Unexplored Territory" series, illuminates a trail of light across the landscape tracing Mexican explorer Juan Bautista de Anza's path through the Southern California desert -- a trail which now bears the explorer's name.
Kevin Cooley
In his series "Controlled Burns" Cooley created illuminated smoke plumes in a controlled environment, a visual statement about "our desire to control nature," he said.
In his series "Controlled Burns" Cooley created illuminated smoke plumes in a controlled environment, a visual statement about "our desire to control nature," he said.
Kevin Cooley
"Named for prescribed fires that help prevent more destructive ones, these supervised interventions highlight existing associations with smoke and fire: modes of communication, political unrest, distress, inclement weather, and wildfires," Cooley said of the series.
"Named for prescribed fires that help prevent more destructive ones, these supervised interventions highlight existing associations with smoke and fire: modes of communication, political unrest, distress, inclement weather, and wildfires," Cooley said of the series.
Kevin Cooley
Cooley's 2009 photo series "Light's Edge" provides desolate views of American landscapes illuminated by "eerie distress signals, possibly messages from above or vice-versa," he said.
Cooley's 2009 photo series "Light's Edge" provides desolate views of American landscapes illuminated by "eerie distress signals, possibly messages from above or vice-versa," he said.
Kevin Cooley
In this photo, taken in South Pass, Wyoming, lightning shoots through the sky, highlighting "endangered beauty while correlating with beliefs in divine or extra-terrestrial phenomena," Cooley said.
In this photo, taken in South Pass, Wyoming, lightning shoots through the sky, highlighting "endangered beauty while correlating with beliefs in divine or extra-terrestrial phenomena," Cooley said.
Kevin Cooley
In his series "Exploded Views" Cooley explores our fascination with fire and how it influences our relationship with the environment.
In his series "Exploded Views" Cooley explores our fascination with fire and how it influences our relationship with the environment.
Kevin Cooley
Cooley said he used various types of pyrotechnics to create the explosions for the series, with the help of experts.
Cooley said he used various types of pyrotechnics to create the explosions for the series, with the help of experts.
Kevin Cooley