EXPLORE
|
THROUGH THE LENS
BY KIRSTEN LUCE
Flashes
in the
Dark
WHEN AN EDITOR CALLED TO ASK if I could pho-
tograph a story about fireflies in Mexico, I didn’t
check my schedule before I said yes. I’d seen these
insects light up the forests in Tlaxcala once before,
and I jumped at the chance to go back.
While studying at the University of Colima, I
began exploring Mexico, crossing the country several
times by bus. I’ve spent time in 28 of its 31 states, and
the variety of landscapes—Michoacán’s beaches,
Colima’s volcano, San Luis Potosí’s plateau—
captivates me in a way that no other country has.
Now I work as a photojournalist in Mexico and
along the border, documenting desperate situations
that rarely seem to improve for everyday Mexicans.
I’m lucky enough to be able to leave when I need to;
A PHOTOGRAPHER SHIFTS
HER GAZE FROM THE
ONGOING INSTABILITY AND
VIOLENCE IN MEXICO TO
THE FLEETING BEAUTY OF
ONE OF THE COUNTRY’S
NATURAL WONDERS.
my Mexican colleagues face censorship and threats
to their lives.
Though necessary and important, news stories
don’t reflect the Mexico that I fell for and that is
home to so many people I love. An assignment
focused on the country’s natural beauty was a wel-
come reprieve.
I had three nights to capture the magical scene in
the forest. Tripod in hand, I hiked with my colleagues
into the misty forest at dusk. I set up, and we waited,
our banter dissipating as the daylight waned and tiny
specks of light emerged.
According to our guides, visitors are usually
not allowed to photograph the fireflies because
the presence of artificial light from electronics can
38 NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC