Bethany Mae Gaston

Nature Deficit Disorder

I have a strong love for nature and the environment and with this love comes the need to protect and preserve the object of my affection.  It is my belief that indifference is one of the leading causes of the degradation of our natural places and resources of the earth.  By drawing attention to this lack of concern in my photographic work, it is my goal to raise awareness of nature and its importance to our lives and society.

I begin by questioning the contemporary norms of technology that have permeated and taken over our lives, especially the lives of our children.  Society has put up walls to keep nature out by an overabundant use of digital devices and media.  This has negative effects on the development and growth of children and young adults.  Specifically, I draw attention to the recently coined term Nature Deficit Disorder(NDD), in an attempt to raise awareness. Studies have linked NDD to Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, obesity, behavioral problems and learning impediments in children.

My project, Nature Deficit Disorder, employs digital photographic portraits of children in natural landscapes, however, portions of the landscape are distorted using pixels to represent the digital boundaries our children face.  It is my hope that the people who view my work will question the lack of nature in their own lives and make a conscious effort to remedy this.  This can lead to transformations in the lives of their children as well.  With these changes, protecting the environment can become a priority instead of some vague non-concern and their children will be able to learn from an early age, further protecting the environment for future generations.