Origin Story

I find a number of things fascinating. History, geography, and hydrology should be obvious at this point. But what if I said "Construction"? I love the whole process, from an empty field that gets staked out for surveying, leveled, paved, built upon. Where there was once only what the long passage of time and nature had created, and in less than a blink it's another monument to human ingenuity and conquest. I've long wanted to find such a place and turn it into a photo essay. Sort of a before and after and in between. Taking pictures each day as change takes place. But I have often found that it is too late by the time I know an area is going to be under development. One day a pristine field, the next it's already a parking lot.

And then there is this stream near my home. I'd walk by it quite often, look down from the road into this little strip of wilderness surrounded by roads, shopping malls, and car dealerships. The plants and ducks seemingly oblivious to the march of progress around them. I doubt they would find even New Seasons organic enough for their tastes.

I always wanted to take a picture of this juxtaposition, then one day...

The land was entirely cleared. Seems the car dealership was expanding their lot and shoring up their walls. It was like an open wound. I decided I'd finally start this project I've long waited for, capturing the Beaverton Creek as a victim on it's road to recovery. I'm often surprised by how quickly it bounced back and I still take pictures each time I pass despite the utter reclamation of the wilderness. Now my images are like a record of the weather and it's effect on this stream. I couldn't say when my project will be over, but I'm not there yet.

It was Beaverton Creek that made me curious as to how water gets about a valley and out to sea, which lead me to wonder what other waters would also find a different path to that same outlet, and then to map such a complex system. So in honor of this little stream that inspired big ideas I present the rough draft of the story of Beaverton Creek.

Next, I'll start on a series about the largest city within the Columbia River Basin, my adopted home, and birthplace of my son: Portland.

Happy Hunting,

Brett