Photographer David Walter Banks believes there's something truly extraordinary about the Okefenokee Swamp, North America's largest blackwater swamp. According to Banks, the massive wetland possesses a mystical quality that's nearly impossible to describe to those who have never experienced it firsthand. "There's this spiritual, metaphysical presence," he explained. "Time and time again, people that go there explain that it's just magical. It touches people's lives when they enter the space and spend time there."
Over the past three years, Banks has dedicated himself to capturing this ethereal atmosphere, spending nearly 70 nights alone in the swamp that spans more than 400,000 acres from southern Georgia to northern Florida. During his extended stays, he would camp for several days at a time on islands or elevated wooden platforms scattered throughout the wilderness. One of his most memorable accommodations was a century-old hunting cabin on Floyd's Island, where visitors can obtain permits to stay overnight.
"I initially found it too spooky to camp inside of until the sky began to darken and I decided I would much rather be inside than have its darkened windows looming above me," Banks recalled. "That said, I returned many times and the small wooden cabin became a highlight of my trips. I would sweep the cabin and play handyman, taking pride as the temporary steward." His daily routine consisted of paddling through the waterways and making every effort to remain completely present in each moment, photographing whatever caught his eye or drew his attention.
However, Banks initially struggled to capture the true essence of his swamp experiences through conventional photography. His standard images weren't fully conveying the profound emotions and sensations he felt during his time in the wilderness. This challenge led him to experiment with innovative in-camera techniques, incorporating vibrant colors and fantastical elements to better represent the wildlife and landscapes he encountered. "I always had a love and a fascination for the way that photography can capture a moment that is more or different than what our eyes see, especially when that picture sort of hints at the surreal or magical realism," Banks explained.
The photographer's creative breakthrough came through the use of specialized lighting equipment and techniques. His arsenal typically includes two lights: one mounted on his camera that can also be used off-camera, and a more powerful battery-powered strobe light similar to studio equipment. He frequently employs colored gels or filters – essentially tinted pieces of plastic placed in front of the lights – to cast specific colors across his subjects. "Sometimes they'll have different colors, like a tinted piece of plastic more or less that goes in front of the light, and then the light shoots through that and casts that color," he detailed.
Banks particularly enjoys photographing during predawn hours when fog envelops the landscape, creating an eerie, mystical glow throughout the swamp. Many of his most striking images are created using long-exposure techniques, where the camera shutter remains open for several minutes at a time. This method proves especially effective before sunrise and after sunset when natural light is limited. During these extended exposures, Banks moves throughout the scene with his strobes, illuminating different elements with various colors.
"Say I have a landscape that I like, I like how it looks. I'll set up the camera, I'll have it on a tripod, and I'll have a long exposure," Banks explained his process. "Now, during that long exposure, I'll be taking these two strobes, and I'll be running around and just popping them off, just lighting different things, sometimes with different colors." For subjects beyond his strobes' reach, he uses high-powered, compact flashlights covered with the same colored gels to "paint" distant objects with light.
These innovative techniques have resulted in Banks' stunning collection of almost psychedelic images, compiled in his new book titled "Trembling Earth: A Transcendental Trip Through the Okefenokee." The title references the swamp's name in the Muskogee language, which translates to "land of trembling earth." Banks aimed to capture the spiritual, mystical feelings that visitors have reported experiencing in this location since naturalist and writer William Bartram's travels through the region in the 18th century.
Beyond their artistic merit, Banks' photographs serve an important conservation purpose by raising awareness about the swamp and the various threats it faces. Environmental advocates recently succeeded in stopping a proposed titanium dioxide mine at Trail Ridge, which borders the swamp's eastern boundary. The mining operation raised serious concerns among conservationists who feared it could lower water levels throughout the swamp, making the ecosystem more vulnerable to devastating wildfires. The Conservation Fund intervened by purchasing an 8,000-acre tract of land from the mining company that had been seeking permits for the project.
Despite this victory, Banks emphasizes that the Okefenokee won't be fully protected until comprehensive safeguards are established for all surrounding waterways and land. "This place is a National Wildlife Refuge, so the actual space is protected – but the boundaries are not," he pointed out. The photographer is passionate about preserving this unique ecosystem, which has been nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, ensuring future generations can experience its wonder.
The Okefenokee represents one of the world's largest intact freshwater ecosystems, supporting incredible biodiversity that includes rare and endangered species such as the gopher tortoise. Banks compares these wetlands to "our redwood forests of the South," noting they contain the region's most massive and prehistoric trees. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, more than half of the wetlands in the lower 48 states have already been lost, making the preservation of places like the Okefenokee increasingly critical.
Throughout his extensive time in the swamp, Banks has developed a deep emotional connection to the environment and its inhabitants, including the alligators that initially seemed intimidating. "Their hooked smiles, body language, and lackadaisical nature remind me of the dear pit bulls who have accompanied me most of my adult life," he wrote in his book. "I begin to feel a kinship without losing a reverence for their unbridled power."
Since his first night in the swamp, when he was serenaded by a symphony of frog songs, owl calls, and alligator bellows, Banks has fallen deeply in love with the Okefenokee and its transformative effects on his well-being. Sometimes the swamp offers profound quiet and emptiness, allowing him to center himself and find refuge from daily life's hustle and bustle. At other times, it presents chaos and challenges through intense storms that remind him of nature's relentless power. All these experiences contribute to his greater appreciation for life, which he explores further in his publication.
"This is no comprehensive record of facts between these covers, but it is one of truth – the truth of my experience," Banks writes in his book. "One of newfound awareness and revelation, and interconnectedness. I hope Trembling Earth captures not only what can be seen, but what can be felt – the unmistakable yet ineffably mystical quality of this primordial space." The book "Trembling Earth" has been published by The Bitter Southerner and is now available for purchase.
