“This is a creative thesis composed of a photo series about the origins of food. The photo series involves macro photography of individual grains of rice. This abstract approach is an attempt to provoke audiences to consider the many stages of agriculture, transportation and food distribution involved in even the simplest of food. My intention with these photos is also to help others think about the unseen or invisible labor behind food production and ultimately the interconnectedness of people. I hope to motivate people to think about the material world and even potentially provoke a feeling of gratitude within consumers who may not be so aware of the origin of the food they consume. The photos for the series were inspired by both documentary traditions in photography and conceptual editorial photography that seek to show viewers new perspectives on the material world around them.” Sally Lee MA graduate 2016