A journey into solitude: how photographing nature saved a man's soul
In the depths of the Yorkshire Dales, 25 years ago, John Arnison embarked on an unexpected quest to capture the essence of nature through his lens. What began as an attempt to establish a distinct photographic style soon evolved into an all-consuming passion that has shaped the rest of his life.
As someone who had struggled with depression and anxiety since his teenage years, photography became an escape for Arnison – a way to momentarily escape the complexities of his inner world. "I think taking pictures has kept me going," he says. "And I think the waterfalls in particular have saved me."
Arnison's fascination with waterfalls led him to venture into the darkness of the Yorkshire Dales, Teesside, and Cumbria, capturing over 150 images over the past decade and a half. His nocturnal excursions, often solo, allowed him to disconnect from the world and reconnect with nature.
For Arnison, photography is not just about technical skill or artistic expression; it's an emotional balm that soothes his soul. He describes the process of capturing these images as "cathartic" – a moment where he can focus solely on the present, leaving behind his inner demons.
As he navigates the rugged landscape under starry skies, Arnison finds solace in the silence and darkness. Unlike the chaos of city life, which can be overwhelming for him, the natural world provides a sense of comfort and normalcy.
Arnison's work is precious to him, as evidenced by his decision to preserve every negative in a fireproof case at home. "If anything happened to those negatives," he notes, "I couldn't recreate them. I could photograph them again, but it wouldn't be the same."
At 63, Arnison shows no signs of slowing down, despite the physical demands of his nocturnal pursuits. While he acknowledges that there will come a time when he'll need assistance, he remains determined to continue his creative journey.
His ultimate goal is to publish his work as a book, possibly accompanied by poetry from northern writers. For Arnison, this would be a dream come true – not just for the recognition but also for the possibility of connecting with others who might find solace in his images. "If anyone could look at it and take something helpful from it," he says, "then I'd feel really proud."
In the depths of the Yorkshire Dales, 25 years ago, John Arnison embarked on an unexpected quest to capture the essence of nature through his lens. What began as an attempt to establish a distinct photographic style soon evolved into an all-consuming passion that has shaped the rest of his life.
As someone who had struggled with depression and anxiety since his teenage years, photography became an escape for Arnison – a way to momentarily escape the complexities of his inner world. "I think taking pictures has kept me going," he says. "And I think the waterfalls in particular have saved me."
Arnison's fascination with waterfalls led him to venture into the darkness of the Yorkshire Dales, Teesside, and Cumbria, capturing over 150 images over the past decade and a half. His nocturnal excursions, often solo, allowed him to disconnect from the world and reconnect with nature.
For Arnison, photography is not just about technical skill or artistic expression; it's an emotional balm that soothes his soul. He describes the process of capturing these images as "cathartic" – a moment where he can focus solely on the present, leaving behind his inner demons.
As he navigates the rugged landscape under starry skies, Arnison finds solace in the silence and darkness. Unlike the chaos of city life, which can be overwhelming for him, the natural world provides a sense of comfort and normalcy.
Arnison's work is precious to him, as evidenced by his decision to preserve every negative in a fireproof case at home. "If anything happened to those negatives," he notes, "I couldn't recreate them. I could photograph them again, but it wouldn't be the same."
At 63, Arnison shows no signs of slowing down, despite the physical demands of his nocturnal pursuits. While he acknowledges that there will come a time when he'll need assistance, he remains determined to continue his creative journey.
His ultimate goal is to publish his work as a book, possibly accompanied by poetry from northern writers. For Arnison, this would be a dream come true – not just for the recognition but also for the possibility of connecting with others who might find solace in his images. "If anyone could look at it and take something helpful from it," he says, "then I'd feel really proud."
. For me, taking a walk outside or just chillin' at home with my mates always helps clear my head and lifts my mood 
. It's great that John Arnison has found something that brings him so much peace and comfort in the Yorkshire Dales – his photography is truly beautiful 
! I'm glad he's passionate about sharing his work, maybe it can inspire others to find their own solace in nature 
.
. Can't they optimize their servers already? This article about John Arnison's photography journey is actually pretty inspiring, though 
. It's amazing how photography can be a therapeutic outlet for him, especially during his solo nocturnal excursions in the Yorkshire Dales. I mean, who wouldn't want to escape into nature and find solace in the silence and darkness? 
️. But, ugh, my post just disappeared 
. Can someone please explain why it's taking so long for my comments to load?! 
. Like, someone's just out capturing waterfalls under the stars, no crew, no cameras, no phone 
...and it's actually helping their mental health? That's wild. I remember reading about this Ansel Adams guy back in school and how he used nature to inspire his photos. Never thought it'd be something that could literally save a person's soul 
. I guess that's the power of art, right? 
i mean its just photography lol. but seriously, can u imagine having to venture into the dark alone for 15 yrs just cuz u need a hobby? that sounds kinda messed up 
and it got me thinking... I went through a pretty rough time when I was younger too, struggling with depression and anxiety. But for me, gaming became an escape 
. It's weird how something like that can be so therapeutic. I mean, Arnison's photography seems to have done the same for him. 
. I've always been fascinated by the idea of just being alone with your thoughts and the natural world 
. And that's really inspiring. I'm sure a lot of people would love to see his book 
... maybe one day, right? 
. Like, shouldn't he be worried about being mugged or attacked by wildlife? And what's with the obsession with waterfalls? Are they just his thing or is there something deeper going on? I mean, I get that photography saved him, but does he have to go out into the middle of nowhere to do it? Can't he just take pictures in a park or something?
. I mean, think about it, he's not just taking pictures of waterfalls; he's finding solace in the silence and darkness. That's some deep stuff right there. And you know what's wild? He doesn't even need to be with others to feel connected; his camera is his only companion on those nocturnal walks. It's like, our souls are just begging for that kind of connection, but sometimes it takes us stepping away from everything to find it.
! 25 years ago, capturing nature through his lens was just a hobby, but now it's an all-consuming passion that's changed his life for the better 
. I think it's gorgeous that he wants to preserve his negatives in a fireproof case, it's a true art lover's touch 
. And can we talk about how cool it is that his work might inspire others and provide them with comfort too? Let's raise our cameras (or rather, our phones) to John Arnison and his beautiful journey into solitude! 
#PhotographySavesLives #NatureIsHealing #SolitudeHasBeauty
i mean, who wouldn't want to escape the chaos of city life and find solace in nature 
and the fact that he's still going strong at 63 is just incredible 
... just kidding kinda sorta but seriously I think John Arnison's obsession with waterfalls might be a cry for help, like he's trying to escape his problems instead of facing them head on. And yeah, photography is like an emotional crutch for him, its weird that he thinks it's going to keep him "going" when in reality its just delaying the inevitable 
And let's talk numbers, he's captured over 150 images in the past decade and a half... that's approximately 12-15 shots per year, or about 1 photo every 3 days! 
. And have you seen his photography portfolio - it's like a mood board of 50k+ Instagram followers! 
his story reminds me of how photography can be both art and therapy at the same time 
His willingness to venture into the darkness of the Yorkshire Dales at night to take photos is truly inspiring - I mean who else would risk getting lost or scared to get that perfect shot? 
And I love how he sees photography as a way to soothe his soul and connect with nature. It's like he's found a new language to express himself, one that doesn't require words. 
For me, this is what being a local lens is all about - highlighting the unsung heroes who are making a difference in our community, whether it's through their passion for photography or simply finding solace in nature. 
as for his goal of publishing a book, id love to see what other people think of his work too! maybe its time for us to give each other some creative support 