During my early years, I focused on eye-catching landscape photography. I spent time in the Himalayas, Patagonia and Tasmania and returned with pictures of breathtaking beauty which I thought were “awesome”. But a one-month camping trip to the Menindee lakes along Darling-Baaka in Australia shifted my perspective: Photography is more than taking photos.

As I became increasingly familiar with the place, I learned that human activities led to widespread deforestation and drought in the area, resulting in many dead trees. Driving across the region, I recalled that Sydney was blanketed by smoke for months on end as bushfires swept through the east coast. Fortunately, the La Niña weather cycle reached Australia, increasing rainfall and causing the continent’s short-lived rivers to spring back to life. Yet, the image of bushfires stayed with me, and I felt driven to do something. That was when the photo Blaze came into being.

I spoke to the local authority, explaining that I hoped to create a “burning” tree as a beacon (灯塔) to draw people’s attention to deforestation. They showed great interest because fire is an integral part of the Australian farming and the natives.

I connected a few of the gas canisters (罐) generally used for barbecues to flexible gas lines called “slinkies”, which could be wired up the back of the tree, away from the tree and out of sight of the public. These produced an outline of flames (火焰) when I lit them, as if the tree were on fire. It was lit for 15 seconds while I got the shot, and fire-fighting equipment was prepared. Even though the tree was dead, it was still a vital habitat. But the gas flames did no damage and the insects that lived inside were unharmed.

I love that when people look at the photo, they can concretize the delicacy of our natural world while appreciating Blaze.