The way people shape the landscape reveals what they fear and value. In places like Southern California, where natural conditions are harsh, you can see clear signs of these priorities. Fireproof landscaping, seismic retrofits, and massive infrastructure projects that bring water and power to Los Angeles all tell a story of control, adaptation, and sometimes exclusion.
Coming to you from Willem Verbeeck, this fascinating video follows photographer Paloma Dooley as she captures these interactions between people and their environment. Dooley shoots with an 8x10 Deardorff view camera, a large format system that forces precision. The level of detail it captures lets her notice things she didn’t see in the moment, turning editing into an extension of discovery. Because film is expensive, she makes every exposure count. That constraint means she works through ideas carefully before committing to a shot.
Dooley’s elevated vantage points offer a unique perspective on Los Angeles. The city’s hills allow her to look beyond fences and barriers, catching glimpses of private spaces most people never see. Some scenes show ingenuity and shared effort—massive civic projects, carefully tended public spaces. Others reveal stark divisions—hidden gardens, secluded estates, places designed to keep outsiders away. Even without people in the frame, her work captures human presence through the structures and modifications they leave behind.
She also discusses how shooting large format changes her process. Unlike digital photography, where you can fire off dozens of shots and select later, Dooley makes every decision before she presses the shutter. She moves carefully, visualizes the composition, and ensures every element is in place. Because the cost of each frame is high, there’s no room for guesswork. That discipline results in intentional, revealing images. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Verbeeck.
