MY STORY
Thank you for visiting Hard Shadows. My name is Paul Smith, and this space allows me to channel my experiences with military-related PTSD into black and white photography—a process deeply intertwined with what I call ‘Dirt Therapy.’ ‘Hard Shadows’ is a deeply personal journey of self-discovery, finding the beauty and truth in the grays that lie between black and white, as I search for purpose and peace.
Dirt Therapy is more than just a creative outlet; it’s my way of healing and staying grounded. It involves venturing off the beaten path into the wilderness or navigating the decay within abandoned structures. These places, often gritty with the literal dirt beneath my feet or the dust of crumbled buildings, give me a sense of comfort in their isolation and abandonment. I find solace in the quiet and the slow reclamation of nature. This practice helps quiet the world’s chaos and deepens my connection to the earth, drawing on the wisdom of those who walked before me and the tranquility of natural solitude.
In this gallery, you will see photographs that capture both the untouched beauty of nature and the eerie solitude of abandonment and decay. Each image tells a story of nature’s relentless persistence and the fragile remnants of human effort—a constant dance between resilience and ruin. By stripping away the distraction of color, these images focus on the fundamental elements: light, shadows, textures, and shapes, allowing the raw beauty and underlying truths to shine through.
My journeys have taught me to appreciate the beauty and peace etched in the scars left by nature and humanity. I hope these images resonate with reflections of your own journeys and inspire you to view the world through new perspectives. What truths will you discover in these shadows?
Be well,
~Paul Smith
“Fear is the monster that destroys our dreams.”