Rolleiflex Challenge 2: Exploring Florida's Big Cypress Swamp
ABOUT THE SERIES
Welcome back to my year-long Rolleiflex Challenge — an analog photography project using my grandfather’s vintage camera from the 1960s. This series celebrates the nostalgia of medium format film through a modern lens.
Every month, I follow a theme and shoot at least one roll of 120 film using my Rolleiflex 2.8F. Then, I share a personal story, reflect on my artistic journey, and review the photos.
I launched this project to encourage mindful creativity and push my own creative growth. Along the way, I hope to inspire others to connect with the world around them and discover their own mindful, creative habits that spark joy. Thanks for following along!
To support this self-funded series, you can share this post with a friend or donate a roll of film.
INSPIRATION: WILD FLORIDA
During the first quarter of 2024, I centered my lens on nature with a connection to my Florida roots. In January, I tapped into nostalgia in my childhood garden. This time, I share my journey through Big Cypress Swamp to meet one of my favorite nature photographers. On the way, I encountered lots of unique wildlife and a few big alligators!
Florida is popular for its potent sunshine, relaxing beaches, and tourist attractions (hello, Disneyworld). When I tell people, "I'm from Florida," many awful (or sometimes hilarious) headlines come to mind, but wild Florida deserves more recognition and appreciation than it gets. Its lush, original landscape is now a backdrop hidden behind strip malls, cement highways, and suburban golf courses.
Exploring my roots while visiting home, I chose “Wild Florida” as the subject of my February Rolleiflex Challenge. Growing up with a deep connection to nature has inspired and enhanced my perspective, both personally and creatively. Outings like swamp walks, camping trips, and canoeing down the river instilled my appreciation for nature and science. My daily connections with nature continue to have a profound, positive impact on my mental health and creativity. Walking among the trees, looking for bees on flowers, and listening to birds, balances my nervous system. It reminds me to stay present in the moment and appreciate the interconnection of all living things.
Nature is an essential element of my life and a primary subject for my photography. I hope my artwork encourages others to slow down, pay more attention and interact with the world around them with curiosity and compassion.
During my visit home, one of my favorite photographers, Clyde Butcher, hosted an event at his Big Cypress Gallery deep in the Florida Everglades. The timing was tricky but I couldn't pass up an opportunity to meet a nature photographer whose work has inspired me since my first photo class in 2001.
THE STORY BEHIND THE LENS: WELCOME TO THE EVERGLADES
A few days later, my mom and I headed south on a 4-hour drive to Miami. We made it to South Beach and spent the night at a friend's apartment with a spectacular view of Biscayne Bay. The next morning, all three of us were up for an early start and drove an hour from the city into the wilderness.
Heading west along Tamiami Trail, the only road across the Everglades, our friend (and local expert) shared anecdotes of growing up in Miami and wading out into the swamp. She took us along Loop Road, a scenic and mostly uninhabited drive where we could safely explore the habitat without walking deep into Big Cypress Swamp.
Along the dusty gravel road, we passed cypress trees covered with bromeliads and wetlands where dozens of alligators floated. There was plenty to see from the car, but I often got out to view the wetlands at a better vantage point. Funny enough, I was the only one excited to see gators during our nature safari. And today, I live to tell the tale of my own unexpected encounter with two big gators!
Stepping into the wilderness with my camera, I immediately feel a sense of peace and quiet mixed with the thrill of watching the scene unfold around me. I'm completely tuned into my senses and surroundings — I spot leaf patterns and feel the sun's warm rays while the buzz of insects hangs in the air. After a few minutes of patient observation, detailed stories unfold before my eyes. The scenery revealed birds weaving their nests in the treetops, wrinkly cypress knees poking up from the water, blue herons slowly stalking fish, and alligators sliding through the swamp.
This is how my wild gator encounter went down…
A motorcyclist alerted us that two large alligators were resting near the road. With my camera in hand, I quietly walked toward them, feeling curious, cautious and excited. It’s important to say now that, no matter where I'm exploring, I always observe wildlife at a safe distance — especially when they could easily eat me for lunch! Always use caution and common sense when photographing wildlife.
About 20-30 feet away, two big gators slept peacefully, one cool in the water and the other sunbathing. I watched the prehistoric-looking pair with admiration for their power and relief for their stillness. The gators were so chill that they weren't even bothered by the noisy motorcycle engine as it drove away.
Waiting patiently, I looked down at my Rolleiflex to set up a shot and then made a video on my phone. That's when the large one began slowly creeping out of the water. So, I started backing up slowly to give them more space thinking to myself, "Ah, yes, the gators are lining up for a perfect shot!"
I was already poised to press the shutter button when SNAP! CHOMP! SPLASH! In a flash, the big gator surged after the other to claim its sunny resting spot.
Woah! My heart surged with adrenaline and delight. At that point, I was ready to get back into the car. I had no idea if I'd caught this thrilling gator moment on film until a few months later when my film was developed. There’s something oddly satisfying about the delayed gratification of shooting film.
And sure enough, I got the shot! Sure, it's kinda blurry because I jumped back in shock, but, I still captured the moment.
By then, I’d had my wild gator encounter fix, and one surprise was enough for me. I flagged down the car to back up as I was not about to walk past two hostile gators. We continued down Loop Road, stopped at Gator Hook Trail, and then arrived at Big Cypress Gallery in time for the event.
Catching gators in the decisive moment.
Inside, visitors browsed fine art photography by Clyde and Nikki Butcher. It was wonderful to view their work up close and get pulled into the swamp scenes. I also spoke with his daughter, Jackie, about his upcoming book, "Lifeworks in Photography," and pre-ordered a signed copy for myself. My suitcase was already stuffed for Amsterdam, so I opted for a paperback version of "America's Everglades" and got in line.
Clyde sat next to one of his large-format cameras, signed my book and commented on my Rolleiflex. I told him the story of my camera and mentioned this project, and to my surprise, his reply was…
"Medium format? You gotta start shooting large-format!” Ha!
Y'all heard it here. Perhaps next year, I'll need to raise funds for a new project so I can afford to shoot with a large-format camera and print in my own darkroom... all because Clyde Butcher said so!
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Clyde Butcher is an American photographer best known for his large black-and-white landscapes, especially those of the Florida Everglades. His images provide mesmerizing scenery with eye-catching details that make you feel like you've stepped into the frame.
Following their son's death in 1986, Butcher sought solitude in nature, and their family moved to Big Cypress National Preserve, where they now operate a gallery on the edge of their property. Clyde's striking landscapes have brought a lot of public attention to the importance of protecting wildlife and nature.
MORE ABOUT BIG CYPRESS SWAMP AND THE EVERGLADES
The Everglades is a vast, slow-moving "river of grass" with an ecosystem unlike anywhere else in the world. It's made up of wetlands, marshes, and mangrove forests that are home to hundreds of diverse plant and animal species. The Everglades are a crucial source of water for millions of Floridians, and they act as a buffer during hurricanes to prevent flooding. Big Cypress Swamp is part of the Everglades ecosystem and it acts like a natural water filter. Big Cypress holds cultural significance, too; it's home to indigenous tribes, like the Seminole and Miccosukee, who have lived in the area for centuries and continue to maintain cultural ties to the land.
The Everglades used to take up a massive portion of Florida—from Miami to Orlando—but since the 1800s, it has been disrupted by human interference (rapid development, pollution, climate change). Today, its ecosystem hangs in a delicate balance and conservation is key.
ROLL REVIEW & SELF-ASSESSMENT: FUIJ PRO 400H
I loved another opportunity to explore wild Florida and capture the scenery on shoot film. And, of course, it was a treat to meet Clyde, an artist who has deeply inspired me.
On the technical side, I am impressed to see that my composition is getting more balanced (the Rolleiflex has a reversed viewing plane that takes some getting used to). The Rollei has a nearly silent shutter, which is great for quietly capturing wildlife. In terms of exposure, every shot on the roll came out, even the unexpected gator moment! Regarding the subject matter, I was trying to be so still and quiet, but perhaps I could move around and capture the cypress tree scenes differently. I was caught up in the shifting movement of the animals and didn’t change my own positioning, so a few shots look quite similar. But look closer, and you’ll spot different animals in each frame!
My biggest challenge was time — I wish I had had more time to explore, experience and enjoy this area. Our trip was last minute, the day was packed, and I traveled with others which all together adds creative boundaries. I know that I’ll never have enough time to capture all of the photos that catch my eye, and that’s something I’ve got to accept as part of the creative process. Still, it would have been great to stay overnight or join a swamp walk through Big Cypress. Maybe someday! Also, I wish I had shot a roll of black-and-white film in honor of Clyde’s work. I went back and forth about it but in the end, I followed my own colorful artistic style, and that’s cool, too.
Using my Rolleiflex for documentary and wildlife photography, I have to accept my work as perfectly imperfect. It’s not always about getting the perfect shot — for me, photography is all about capturing a representation of my experience, emotion or memory of a moment. That’s another thing I love about working with film; it adjusts my expectations. With limited frames, vintage gear, and expired film.
Analyzing my work more deeply this year, I see clearly how the patterns and rhythms of the natural world inspire my life and work. Despite moving away more than a decade ago, Florida's unique landscape continues to captivate me. My thoughts often wander back to Florida's vibrant sunsets, tropical flowers, and playful light dancing through Spanish Moss that dangles from oak trees.
I hope that my botanical and wildlife photography inspires viewers to spend more time outside exploring their local ecosystems and connecting with nature. The wild world of plants and animals offers vast lessons that are easily overlooked during our busy, distracted daily routines.
Thanks for reading my story. And if you haven’t gone outside today, shut off the screen and go outside to simply watch and listen to whatever scene unfolds around you. I think you’re gonna love it!
“Wilderness, to me, is a spiritual necessity. The mysterious spiritual experience of being close to natural restored my soul. ”
