Meditations on Water, is a series of digital color photographs that investigate bodies of water as a metaphor for human emotions. The work is a study of the universal temperament of water, and the environmental effects of light, color, and perception. Kellie Klein’s photographs investigate the visceral and meditative facets of water, by examining the serene, turbulent, and dynamic characteristics of lakes, rivers, and seas, with the majority of the work focused on Lake Michigan.
Whether a lake, an ocean, or the clouds in the sky, water is presented as a metaphor for human disposition. Just as the Gales of November affect the Great Lakes, Klein’s photographs remind us that individuals undergo equally tempestuous experiences. Throughout the work, water is conveyed as something that is as yielding, as restless, or as tranquil as the human mind. To emphasize the emotional qualities in the photographs, Klein presents us with long exposures and minimalist points of view. The sky, the quality of light, and clouds amplify the atmosphere, offering viewers a timeless moment of inner reflection.