In their most recent collection of work, The Meadow, photographers Barbara Bosworth and Margot Anne Kelley explore the connections and relationships formed between humans and the natural world. Over the course of a decade, the two have taken numerous photographs of an area of land in Carlisle, Massachusetts. Combined with Kelley’s writing, the collaborative project resulted in this uniquely-crafted work. The land they have chosen serves as an ideal subject, composed of paths and abandoned farmland reclaimed by the vibrant foliage.

In addition to their own investigations, they have invited botanists, entomologists, naturalists and historians to consider the meadow with them. Also included are historic maps of the property dating to the 1800s, and a transcription of notes from a former owner whose family has continuously documented plant and bird life in the meadow from 1931 until the 1960s.

Part photo-essay, part journal and part scientific study, this book is a meditation on the shifting perspective that occurs when one repeatedly sees the same place through new eyes

Embodying a diaristic style, the final product has the feeling of a handcrafted scrapbook recollected from someone’s bookshelf. Tucked as if by accident between the pages are small booklets bearing the photographers’ experiences, and the occasional fold-out triptych which embellishes the arts-and-crafts vibe. A detailed appendix documents the numerous foliage, fungi, and pebbles found during the exploration of the meadow.

I particularly like this book as they photographs objects they found in the meadow they were documenting (i.e. rocks) and displayed them on a white background. This gives the book a different way of looking at the area and creates breaks up the images of the meadow itself.

The book concludes with a passage by a friend of Barbara, D’Anne Bodman. She is inspired to write about finality by reflecting on the pets that both she and Barbara have recently lost. In her last paragraph, she writes, “Our remaining dog, Téa, and I walk Santo’s path daily so that it doesn’t disappear.” Through this passage, we are reminded of the importance in retreading paths to mark the changes, which is just what Barbara and Margot have aspired to do with this work.

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