When I mention the city Oakland California, no one ever thinks about the natural beauty that we have here. This beautiful city is over shadowed by the reputation of inner city images, yet we have parks, hiking trails, and healthy green terrain all around the city. When I began taking pictures of my hiking adventures, my friends were amazed with the images - mainly because they also lived in Oakland, and I was able to show them our city in a different perspective. I captured secret waterfalls in Leona Heights Park, quiet and striking. Also Joaquin Miller Park was the site where I followed a setting sun that sneaked light and shadow through the trees into the woods. Over two years I was on a mission to learn about the different landscapes of Oakland, sometimes getting lost deep into the vegetation of fallen leaves and tall trees wandering around with my camera and tripod. This is the love I have for my city, I don’t know how much longer Oakland will continue to look like this, and I wanted to forever immortalize this moment with a picture.

- Bullimalinna Sot
CSUEB Class of 2010
B.A in Art; Option: Multimedia and Photography + minor Art History