Writer Joseph J. Airdo // Photography by Joan Wood
Joan Wood’s night photography is a combination of long exposures, light painting, astrophotography and various landscapes and cityscapes. With it, she aspires to push the viewfinder further than the eye can see in an effort to create mischief, magic and possibility.
“Here in Arizona, the desert beholds amazing landscapes,” Wood says. “After the ‘golden hour’ is a magical time to shoot, as this is the transition into dusk, where we have a 9- to 10-hour nocturnal shift change before dawn.
“Photography in the Wild West creates opportunities for adventure in sunset photography, astrophotography, nature photography, sunrise photography and any storms in between. The night is also an awakening to many nocturnal animals because our desert is very hot during the daylight hours.”
Wood often used her photography to emphasize the importance of respecting and preserving the history found in our desert while underscoring the beauty of natural nighttime phenomena. Of particular interest to the photographer are historical sites that, today, are under threat from natural erosion and vandalism.
“My favorite subject in photography is to capture the historic landmarks that Arizona has left standing and tell their stories under the stars,” she explains.
This month, Images Arizona showcases a collection of Wood’s works that not only tell such stories but also reflect the sanctity of our state’s silent nights.
Chapel of the Holy Cross // Sedona
Commissioned by local rancher and sculptor Marguerite Brunswig Staude and designed by architect August K. Strotz, Chapel of the Holy Cross has sat high atop the red rock buttes of Sedona since 1956.
Chapel of the Holy Dove // Flagstaff
Chapel of the Holy Dove in Flagstaff was built by Dr. Watson M. Lacy, MD, in 1961, using Ponderosa pine logs, volcanic rock and petrified wood. Having been destroyed by a transient’s campfire in 1999, the chapel was rebuilt the following year with the support of the local community and Flagstaff merchants’ contributions, mirroring the original structure. Today, it continues to be a sanctuary amidst the beauty of the San Francisco Peaks.
Elvis Memorial Chapel // Apache Junction
Originally a movie prop for Elvis Presley’s 1969 film “Charro,” Elvis Memorial Chapel has survived two fires that devastated Apacheland Movie Ranch. Following these trials, the chapel found a new home at the Superstition Mountain Museum.
Nativity of Blessed Virgin Mary Chapel // Flagstaff
“Nativity of Blessed Virgin Mary Chapel in Flagstaff is suffering from not just its own erosion, but also from people who are stealing the heads of these beautiful gargoyles — which are symbols of the church to ward off sin.” -Joan Wood
Pioneer Community Church // Phoenix
The community church at Pioneer Living History Museum in Phoenix is a copy of St. Paul’s Methodist Episcopal Church, which stood from 1880 through 1927 in Globe. Two of the original pews were donated to the museum by the First Baptist Church of Globe and copied to provide the current seating. The original church bell — dubbed “God’s Alarm Clock” — now graces the rebuilt St. Paul’s Methodist Church in Globe.
White Dove of the Desert // Tucson
Also known as San Xavier Mission, White Dove of the Desert in Tucson was founded as a Catholic mission by Father Eusebio Kino in 1692. Construction of the current church began in 1783 and was completed in 1797. The oldest intact European structure in Arizona, the church’s interior is filled with marvelous original statuary and mural paintings.
About the Photographer
Born and raised on the outskirts of the Tonto National Forest in Mesa and later spending seven years in Flagstaff, Joan Wood grew up in a family of outdoor enthusiasts who encouraged her to follow her passions — which included skateboarding, snowboarding, camping, rock hounding, fishing and hunting. These experiences became her inspiration for capturing the essence of nature on film.
In high school, Wood’s photography teacher recognized her talent and encouraged her to explore night photography on film. Meanwhile, Wood’s outdoor experiences led her to discover unique locations and landmarks, thereby fostering her appreciation for historical sites that, today, are under threat from natural erosion and vandalism. Pairing these passions prompted her to revisit these places and capture their essence under the night sky.
With concerns about light pollution due to increasing urban development in previously pristine natural areas, Wood aspires for her photography to emphasize the importance of respecting and preserving the history found in our desert while underscoring the beauty of natural nighttime phenomena, such as storms with stars in the background.
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