Under the Same Sky: Echoes from a Remote Fishing Community

Submitted by:	Marina Banuet-Martinez
Department:
Faculty:	School of Public Health

This photo captures the night sky above a remote fishing island in Mexico, taken during my fieldwork in the summer of 2023. The image emerged from a reflective ritual I engaged in every evening after working alongside the community. I would spend a few quiet moments listening to the ocean waves and gazing up at the stars, allowing myself to process the day’s experiences while soaking in the peaceful atmosphere. These moments offered beauty and marvel, yet also highlighted the remoteness of island life, a community that depends entirely on the sea and weather for income, food, and essential supplies. In the photo, two fellow researchers stand in stillness in front of the island’s old lighthouse, contemplating the same vast sky that connects us all. My research explores how health and well-being are shaped by climate change and the deep socio-environmental interconnectedness found in ocean-dependent communities. This photograph reflects not just a place but a feeling, a call to honour local voices and work collectively to protect both people and the ecosystems.

Was your image created using Generative AI?
No.

How was your image created?
This image was taken with a Nikon D7500 camera using a 30-second long exposure to capture the brilliance of the night sky above a remote fishing island in Baja California, Mexico. The process required patience, careful planning, and precise timing. Shot after midnight to reveal the stars and the Milky Way, the high ISO setting introduced a subtle grain that adds texture and depth, echoing the darkness of the night and the technical challenges of photographing in such low light. We used natural lighting from the moon and stars, complemented by artificial light sources: headlamps worn by the two researchers in the frame, and five speedlights positioned inside the island’s old lighthouse (one in each window and one in the lantern cupola). The speedlights were triggered remotely, and orange CTO gels were added to balance the colour temperature and create a warm glow. The resulting image evokes a sense of harmony between people, place, and purpose. It visually captures the interconnectedness of ocean, climate, and well-being, and reminds us that even in remote places, research, resilience, and reverence for the environment coexist.

Where is the image located?
Isla Natividad, Baja California Sur, Mexico.