Individual Works
Independent studies of place, history, light, and the natural world.
Independent photographic artworks explore nature, architecture, history, and light. Each photograph offers another view of Edward Murphy’s practice, from closely observed natural forms to places shaped by time.
LORA'S BARN
Lucama, North Carolina
An aging wooden barn stands quietly beneath the golden light of sunrise in rural North Carolina. Photographed at approximately 6:30 in the morning, the structure emerges from the shadows as the first warm light of day illuminates the sky. Through selective monochrome, the weathered wood and surrounding grass take on muted gray tones, while the golden morning sky retains its natural color. LORA'S BARN captures the quiet transition from darkness to daylight, exploring the passage of time, the enduring character of rural architecture, and the beauty of a new day beginning.
Original Photography & Artwork by Edward Murphy
BATTLESHIP
USS North Carolina, Wilmington, North Carolina
Deep within the historic battleship USS North Carolina, a narrow steel passageway reveals the powerful industrial character of a vessel built for war. Heavy metal doors, exposed pipes, and the confined geometry of the corridor create a dramatic composition of light, shadow, and perspective. Rendered predominantly in black and white, the photograph uses selective color to draw attention to the ship's emergency equipment and safety markings. BATTLESHIP explores the intersection of history, engineering, and human experience. The photograph invites viewers to imagine the lives of the sailors who once traveled these passageways, surrounded by the machinery of a formidable naval vessel.
Original Photography & Artwork by Edward Murphy
THE SILENT MARSH
Wilmington, North Carolina
A forest of lifeless trees rises from a silent marsh beneath an expansive, cloud-filled sky. Their bare trunks and skeletal branches stand in stark contrast to the movement and brilliance of the clouds above. Rendered entirely in black and white, THE SILENT MARSH explores the haunting beauty of a landscape transformed by forces unknown. Deep shadows, dramatic contrasts, and the delicate silhouettes of the trees create a powerful sense of solitude and mystery. Though the cause of the trees' demise remains uncertain, their presence endures, transforming a scene of natural decay into a quiet meditation on time, resilience, and the enduring beauty of nature.
Original Photography & Artwork by Edward Murphy
DECK OF HISTORY
USS North Carolina, Wilmington, North Carolina
The weathered deck of the historic battleship USS North Carolina reveals a powerful composition of steel, structure, and perspective. Strong geometric lines lead the eye through the ship's imposing architecture, while dramatic light and shadow emphasize the textures of its surfaces. Rendered entirely in black and white, DECK OF HISTORY transforms a scene of naval engineering into a study of strength, time, and remembrance. The photograph captures the enduring presence of a vessel whose history remains etched into its very structure.
Original Photography & Artwork by Edward Murphy
THE PROPELLER
Wilmington, North Carolina
A massive bronze ship propeller stands as a testament to the power and craftsmanship of maritime engineering. Its sculptural form and warm metallic tones contrast dramatically with the surrounding black-and-white landscape. Through selective color, THE PROPELLER transforms an industrial artifact into a study of shape, texture, and strength. The photograph invites the viewer to appreciate the unexpected beauty found in objects originally designed for function rather than artistic expression.
Original Photography and Artistic Treatment by Edward Murphy