For John Arnison, a trip out into the Yorkshire Dales 25 years ago marked the beginning of a journey that would not only shape his life but also provide an escape from his struggles with depression, anxiety, and ADHD.
As a photographer who has dedicated over two decades to capturing the beauty of waterfalls at night, Arnison found solace in the solitude and darkness of these natural wonders. "I think taking pictures has kept me going, and I think the waterfalls in particular have saved me," he says. The process of researching, driving, and waiting for the perfect shot allows him to focus on what's outside his head, rather than the turmoil that often plagues him.
For Arnison, photography is a form of catharsis. He finds it healing to be out in nature, away from the distractions of everyday life. The act of capturing images also helps him connect with something deeper and more meaningful than himself. "It's so cathartic at every stage," he says, reflecting on his process. "When you're out in the pitch black, you can't think of anything else – it's just you and the moment."
Over the past 15 years, Arnison has taken over 150 photos, venturing alone to remote locations across northern England and Scotland. His work is a testament to his dedication and perseverance, as well as his passion for capturing the beauty of nature.
For Arnison, photography is not just about taking pictures; it's about preserving memories and emotions that are precious to him. He keeps all of his negatives in a fireproof case at home, cherishing each image as a tangible representation of his journey. "If anything happened to those," he says, "I couldn't recreate them – they're so precious to me."
As Arnison approaches 63, he admits that there will come a time when he can no longer tackle the challenges of photography alone. However, for now, he remains driven by a passion that has sustained him for decades. He hopes to one day publish his work as a book, accompanied by poetry from northern writers, in a project that would allow others to relate to his images and find solace in their beauty.
For Arnison, the act of photography is not just about capturing moments; it's about finding healing and connection in the natural world. As he continues to explore the Yorkshire Dales and beyond, his cameras at the ready, he remains hopeful that his work will inspire others to find their own path to healing and solace.
As a photographer who has dedicated over two decades to capturing the beauty of waterfalls at night, Arnison found solace in the solitude and darkness of these natural wonders. "I think taking pictures has kept me going, and I think the waterfalls in particular have saved me," he says. The process of researching, driving, and waiting for the perfect shot allows him to focus on what's outside his head, rather than the turmoil that often plagues him.
For Arnison, photography is a form of catharsis. He finds it healing to be out in nature, away from the distractions of everyday life. The act of capturing images also helps him connect with something deeper and more meaningful than himself. "It's so cathartic at every stage," he says, reflecting on his process. "When you're out in the pitch black, you can't think of anything else – it's just you and the moment."
Over the past 15 years, Arnison has taken over 150 photos, venturing alone to remote locations across northern England and Scotland. His work is a testament to his dedication and perseverance, as well as his passion for capturing the beauty of nature.
For Arnison, photography is not just about taking pictures; it's about preserving memories and emotions that are precious to him. He keeps all of his negatives in a fireproof case at home, cherishing each image as a tangible representation of his journey. "If anything happened to those," he says, "I couldn't recreate them – they're so precious to me."
As Arnison approaches 63, he admits that there will come a time when he can no longer tackle the challenges of photography alone. However, for now, he remains driven by a passion that has sustained him for decades. He hopes to one day publish his work as a book, accompanied by poetry from northern writers, in a project that would allow others to relate to his images and find solace in their beauty.
For Arnison, the act of photography is not just about capturing moments; it's about finding healing and connection in the natural world. As he continues to explore the Yorkshire Dales and beyond, his cameras at the ready, he remains hopeful that his work will inspire others to find their own path to healing and solace.
its kinda cool that he's found something that helps him cope with depression and anxiety but also a bit worrying that he's gotta keep moving or what if his negatives get lost in the fireproof case? 15 yrs of taking pics is no joke and I'm not saying it can't help people, but its also not like hes some kinda superhero who can do it alone forever 
yooo u guys know how photography can be super therapeutic? 
like john arnison's story is so inspiring! he found solace in waterfalls at night and it literally changed his life 
. i love how he says it's cathartic and helps him connect with something deeper than himself 
. and the fact that he keeps all his negatives safe is just too much 
. we should totally get behind this guy and his project to publish his work as a book 
photography is more than just capturing moments its like capturing pieces of yourself out in the wildness of nature its where you can find peace when your head is a mess 
and for john arnison its been lifesaving like a safety net always there to catch him when hes falling apart 
and whats with all these negatives stored in a fireproof case? is that gonna save him when hes old and grey? 
. The way he talks about finding catharsis in nature is literally everything to me 
. He's so brave for sharing his story and hoping to inspire others to find solace in nature too 
. And 150 photos is crazy! 
I need to get out more often too... but taking pics at night sounds so romantic 
. His dedication to preserving memories through his negatives is also really sweet 
I think its kinda weird how everyone always talks about photography as this super chill hobby that's all about relaxation... like what if its actually a way of dealing with some pretty deep stuff? Arnison seems to use it as a coping mechanism for his depression and anxiety, but also finds connection with something deeper than himself. 
... I mean can you imagine dedicating your life to capturing these breathtaking waterfalls at night? It's like he's found a way to escape his own struggles with depression, anxiety, and ADHD by focusing on something as beautiful and peaceful as nature 
. I love how passionate he is about preserving memories and emotions through his work, too! 
It's a testament to the power of art to heal and connect us with nature 
. Here's to Arnison's continued journey as a photographer and his hope to inspire others to find their own path to healing