Emergent Behavior, what if common everyday objects float around us? things such as plastic plates or Post-its sticky notes? Well, photographer Thomas Jackson created swarms of objects as such in the most unusual locations: such as plastic plates floating in a forest. He also did the opposite: items from nature such as leaves floating in an urban setting. But the question is how does he create his images? and how fake are they?
Courtesy of Thomas Jackson
Although Jackson’s art cannot be created without the assistance of digital editing softwares, The photographer insists that he is trying his best to minimize their use.
Courtesy of Thomas Jackson
“Basically, I want the images to be as “in camera” as possible, so instead of employing PS to composite or more things around, I simply use it to remove elements I don’t want to be there.” For example, to create the image of the glow sticks on the beach, a real sculpture was built of the sticks. However, Photoshop was used to remove the support that was holding it.
Anastasia Andreieva is an accomplished Architectural Projects Editor at Arch2O, bringing a unique blend of linguistic expertise and design enthusiasm to the team. Born and raised in Ukraine, she holds a Master’s degree in Languages from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. Her deep passion for architecture and visual storytelling led her to transition from translation and editorial roles into the world of design media. With a keen eye for conceptual clarity and narrative structure, Anastasia curates and presents global architectural projects with precision and flair. She is particularly drawn to parametric and digital design, cultural context, and emerging voices in architecture. When I’m not analyzing the latest architectural trends, you’ll probably find me searching for hidden gems in cityscapes or appreciating the beauty of well-crafted spaces. After all, great design—like great connections—can be found in the most unexpected places. Speaking of connections, because architecture isn’t the only thing that brings people together.