Images capture the timeless beauty of America’s ancient forests

The beauty of ancient forests in California is captured through the lens of photographer Mitch Epstein. His Old Growth project, which started in 2020, aims to showcase the rare and timeless essence of old-growth forests in the US. These forests, which have thrived for centuries, are now facing threats due to climate change, with a significant decline in their range over the past few decades.

Epstein embarked on a journey across the country to seek out these ancient trees, including the iconic Bristlecone Pine in the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, nestled in California’s White Mountains. The gnarled and majestic appearance of these trees stands as a testament to their resilience and longevity. Another striking image captured by Epstein is the towering sequoia on the Congress Trail in Sequoia National Park, representing the grandeur of nature.

Reflecting on his venture into nature photography, Epstein shared, “I didn’t think that I could bring something new to so-called nature photography. Maybe part of my decision to photograph Old Growth was this realization: that there is now no wilderness that hasn’t been touched by humans in some way, even if it’s not immediately obvious.” These profound words are encapsulated in his book American Nature, which showcases the captivating images from his Old Growth project.