I'm Matt Benson, a Florida-based graphic designer and photographer who enjoys going outside and writing about it. This is where I document those adventures.
My plan to visit Ray Wayside Park was a failure. Instead I became enchanted by the Eureka Bridge, lost in its many kept secrets and stories available only to those who pause and listen. This post is a reflection on the Eureka Bridge and the many structures of the Ocklawaha River.
Read MoreI followed the Ocklawaha River from State Road 19 in Palatka, Florida, to the County Road 316 Bridge in Eureka, tracing the route of the long abandoned Cross Florida Barge Canal project. This is the first in what I hope becomes a series dedicated to the Ocklawaha River.
Read MoreThe Ocala National Forest was recently listed on National Geographic’s Best of the World 2025, a list compiling the 25 best places in the world to visit. Jenny and I drove our Kayaks to Silver Springs State Park, located in the Ocala National Forest, and paddled the Silver River.
Read MoreI spent the summer shooting exclusively on Kodak Gold 200 and my Hasselblad 500cm.
Read MoreI spent two days camping in the Florida Everglades with my Fuji X100V.
Read MoreWe kayak camped along the Ocklawaha River in a storm while sick.
Read MoreI made a video about being present, Alex and I went camping for the first time since 2019, and Zion turned one year old!
Read MoreWhen Jenny and I married, so did our love for these mountains. This year was special. We got to share North Carolina with our daughter.
Read MoreEverything you need to know to camp in the Juniper Prairie Wilderness area of the Ocala National Forest, including parking information and trailheads, camping locations and helpful resources.
Read MoreI made my first photography zine using the film I shot in California.
Read MoreIn the past two months, Jenny and I bought a house, moved and had a little girl. Here’s to new life!
Read MoreAlex and I kayaked to the La Chua Trail observation deck in Paynes Prairie Preserve and camped in a storm.
Read MoreJenny and I went to California for our anniversary, and I recorded the entire trip on my Mamiya 7ii and 15 rolls of film.
Read MoreIt was midday and 95 degrees with scattered thunderstorms forecasted throughout the afternoon. The conditions were perfect for a lot to go wrong.
Read MoreWe drove to the Juniper Prairie Wilderness Friday evening with the goal of photographing white pond lilies beneath the glow of a rare “blue flower moon.”
Read MoreIt was the 4:15 a.m. alarm that finally succeeded in yanking me from the silence. I rolled out of bed and onto my feet.
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