Loneliness is inevitably a part of the human condition. Even though we are inherently social creatures, there will be moments where we find ourselves alone and the feelings of isolation can be incredibly powerful. Capturing a state of mind in photography is something I find extremely compelling, as these images uniquely convey the melancholic feeling of isolation, in which the viewer lives vicariously through the subject and a shared experience. It makes images captivating because it is something we all can relate to.
When compiling these images, I chose a diverse set of photographs with solitude and seclusion as the common theme and the accompanying emotion as the unifying factor. They show the range of possible ways one feels when alone and create a sense of empathy and understanding in the fact that loneliness is a shared experience, common rather than uncommon.
However, the purpose of these images is not just to feel sadness or solitude, but to highlight the juxtaposition of how, at certain moments, we all feel alone — but it doesn’t mean we actually are. It conveys the message that humanity is not defined by the emptiness we all can sometimes feel, but rather that emptiness only gives a point of comparison to the feelings of love and joy we feel other times. Loneliness is not entirely negative, but rather a means of showcasing the beauty in life, a part of our broader pursuit of happiness.
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