Introduction
Eight years ago, I began taking a deeper interest in photography, and after years of photo-project ideas that never felt significant enough to pursue, this project marks my first real attempt at a personal photo-project. For the longest time, I would overthink every concept, worrying that it wasn’t important enough to dedicate my time. Eventually, out of sheer frustration, I decided to start something simple—something that could be completed in a day with a clear, but limited focus.
The Goal
My goal was straightforward: drive to Vernonia, set a 5-minute timer, stop when it went off, and take as many photos as I liked before resetting the timer and continuing. The process would be dictated by the timer, rather than a particular subject or destination. Once I was back, edit the photos into a small photo-book called a “zine”.
Why Vernonia?
What is Vernonia? It’s a small town in the Pacific Northwest, once a thriving logging hub, now adapting to a post-logging era. I had always wanted to visit but never found the time, life priorities always getting in the way.
Finally, I took a day for myself to explore the town with my camera, but instead of focusing on Vernonia’s quaint downtown or its logging history, I chose to focus on the journey itself—on the process rather than the destination.
The Method
As soon as I turned off the highway toward Vernonia, I set a 5-minute timer on my watch and drove. Every time it went off, I pulled over, got out and photographed what was in front of me. What’s fascinating is that this experience can’t be replicated. If you were to set off on the same journey, you’d end up with entirely different photos—and I encourage you to try it and see for yourself.
This project is shaped by chance, variability, and a touch of chaos. Factors like driving speed, traffic, the need to pull over unexpectedly, weather, time of day, time of year, and even the moment I decided to start slowing down—all these things influenced each stop and each photograph. It’s an evolving, unpredictable experience that makes this series unique. This is not what I expected.
The Photographs
The images in this zine are the result of multiple stops along the way to Vernonia. Some capture the feeling of the region, others highlight details that often go unnoticed, while some familiar—subjects that have been photographed countless times before. Together, they form my personal perspective on Vernonia, shaped by moments in time and space that can’t be recreated.
Reflection on the Process
Knowing I had a limited window to complete the project helped me maintain focus. The constraint of producing a photo-zine by the end of the day sharpened my eye, allowing me to mentally identify subjects that would be visually interesting for the final result. The randomness and unpredictability of the process kept me engaged and curious, driving me to push through and see where the journey would take me. By Monday, the photo-zine was in my hands, and I’m very happy with the outcome.
I’d love to hear your thoughts!
