Pinhole photography exhibit documents Mattapoisett River. Here's how to see it.
MATTAPOISETT - Mattapoisett local David Walega has been documenting the 11-mile journey of the Mattapoisett River on film. Now, people can observe his findings at the Mattapoisett Public Library through April 15.
"As a kid, the woods were my playground," Walega said. "Summer days were spent exploring the forested trails behind our house, in woods that seemed to stretch to the horizon."
“Let the River Run: Landscape Photographs of the Mattapoisett River Valley," is a a documentary project inspired by Walega's lifelong appreciation for the Mattapoisett River.
Starting at its northern source at Snipatuit Pond in Rochester and ending where its water flows into Mattapoisett Harbor and Buzzards Bay, the photographs capture the unique and fragile ecosystem of the river and its tributaries, while raising awareness for the importance of conservation of natural spaces.
"The quiet of the river landscape is disturbed by the passing of an automobile, a reminder of the growing numbers moving to the Buzzards Bay area," he said. "The distance between where wild animals live and the construction of buildings is decreasing. The recent population boom is creating a renewed concern about the health and well-being of this fragile ecosystem."
Where is the Mattapoisett River Valley
The Mattapoisett River Valley contains 300 acres of wetlands and is a sanctuary for a wide variety of fish, amphibians, and birds, according to Walega. Some of these animals are endangered and rely on this wildlife corridor for their survival.
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The herring that once were so abundant, returning to this river each year to spawn, have been on a steady decline due to manmade obstacles. The principal northern source of the river at Snipatuit Pond is a crucial habitat for the juvenile herring, specifically the Alewives and Blue Back.
Why is the Mattapoisett River important to the ecosystem?
Without the Mattapoisett River and its tributaries, the herring could not migrate each season to reproduce, jeopardizing the continued survival of the population. These fish are a crucial link in maintaining the overall health of the ecosystem. They serve as a primary food source for many predators, helping to promote and create biodiversity throughout the region.
The growing human population of the surrounding towns is exerting increasing pressure on the watershed. The river is a vital source of fresh water for several public water stations and many private homes. In the recent past, sections of the river have experienced severe drought.
Inside the 'uniquely captured' exhibit
According to Walega, the portfolio showcases the significant environmental role the river valley plays in the well-being of the region, not only for the diverse wildlife that rely on the habitat, but also for the residents of Mattapoisett, Rochester and Fairhaven who depend on the aquifer beneath for clean drinking water.The exhibit features approximately 20 photographs, reflecting a deep appreciation for the preservation of these delicate ecosystems, captured through a uniquely traditional photographic process using a pinhole camera.
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What is pinhole photography?
The technology of pinhole cameras dates back thousands of years, and is believed to be first referenced in ancient Chinese texts. Its simple use of wood and a thin sheet of metal with a tiny hole through it, replaces the glass lens of modern cameras. Without the aid of a view finder and corrective filters, the world is captured in long exposures enshrouding the landscape and objects with light.
With over 20 years of experience as a pinhole photographer, Walega created a representation of the world that is uniquely surreal, serene and contemplative.
More about this Mattapoisett photographer
Walega is a designer, artist and established photojournalist. Born and raised in Mattapoisett, he has contributed images to publications around the world and worked with both private and international aid organizations. Most recently, he exhibited his portfolio of black and white photographs spanning 25 years, “Tiny Poems Everywhere” at The Frederick Douglas Gallery (Gallery X), New Bedford, MA, September 2022.
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As a photojournalist, he has travelled across the globe to document projects in Africa, El Salvador and Mexico to name a few. He has contributed photographs for Getty Images/Wire Images, publications and international aid organizations.
“Let the River Run: landscape photographs of the Mattapoisett River Valley" will be on display at the Mattapoisett Public Library on 7 Barstow Street until April 15.
Standard-Times staff writer Seth Chitwood can be reached at schitwood@s-t.com. Follow him on twitter:@ChitwoodReports. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Standard-Times today.
This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Mattapoisett local Walega captures photos of river with pinhole camera
