THE GREENERY PLAYGROUND EXHIBIT BY DARIAN J. SALAS
Model: Riane Capalad
The close-up perspectives
What is the best part about being a local creative in the Northern Mariana Islands?
Darian: As a small island in the Pacific, it allows me to freely explore myself as an artist and receive encouragement from my friends, whom I call family. With both being present, I feel motivated to improve myself, master my craft, and serve my community through the art of photography. The amount of support I have for this passion is heartfelt.
The human imagination is always alive. All there is to do is translate these ideas into the lenses of my camera.
What are the challenges you face, and how do you overcome them?
Darian: A challenge I have faced as an artist from Saipan is feeling limited in compositions for my photos. To put this into perspective, Saipan is approximately 14 miles long and 5 miles wide. However, throughout my journey in the everlasting learning experience of photography, I am constantly reminded that ideas for compositions will never end. The human imagination is always alive. All there is to do is translate these ideas into the lenses of my camera.
Darian J.Salas
Darian Salas is a freelance photographer from the island of Saipan in the Northern Mariana Islands. During the start of Covid-19 and its ever-changing effects in the world, Darian found time to invest in beginning a new hobby, photography. He believed photos tell stories, whether saving a beautiful moment in a photograph or capturing these moments for others. As he ventured into the art of photography, he sought advice from Austin Barcinas, a well-known content creator on Saipan. Development with the friendship Darian had with Austin came with introducing Tahj Salas to Darian. Soon, this talented team of three formed the media team known as Native Lens. On days Darian works the camera solo, he stays open to street photography, nature photography, and portraiture.
Before opening this new chapter of his life into photography, Darian made music, mainly instrumentals. His music consists of the genres of R&B and Lo-fi. Today, Darian studies the world of ophthalmology, beginning a career in helping people medically.