Glimpses of a More Perfect Past

Imagine a world without pollution, trash or development. No, it’s not a John Lennon ballad but the work of Wayne Williams.

A Los Angeles artist, Williams uses the newest technology to reveal the way our environment looked before modern-day intrusions. The two-step process begins with a photograph of a sweeping vista. Subjects thus far have included Rocky Point in Big Sur, Pescadaro Point in Pebble Beach and Joshua Tree National Monument. Williams then transfers the photo into a computer, where evidence of trash, graffiti and man-made structures is digitally erased.

“It’s tough for people who see my photos to go back to the real-life scene and see telephone poles and trash clouding the view,” Wayne says. “It’s an awakening experience to realize how rapidly the environment is changing.”

Wayne’s images can be viewed on the Internet at https://home.earthlink.net/~wwclick.