My name is Ryan McCaffrey, and I was drawn to this project through my experiences living in different parts of the country. Having spent time in major cities like Denver and Seattle, as well as smaller communities such as Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Grand Isle, Vermont, I became aware of how differently we experience the night sky. In more urban environments, I remember a constant glow surrounding the sky—something I didn’t question at the time. It wasn’t until I moved to Vermont that I truly understood what was missing.

For the first time, I looked up at a clear night sky and saw its full depth—an experience that felt almost out of body. There was something incredibly natural and grounding about being able to see the stars so vividly. That moment reshaped my perspective and ultimately inspired my interest in light pollution and its broader impact.

With this project, my goal is to raise awareness and encourage others to think more critically about how artificial light affects both our environment and our daily lives.

In addition, I see this piece as a central part of my professional portfolio. It reflects my ability to direct, design, and edit a large-scale digital project, combining storytelling with visual media to communicate complex ideas in an engaging and accessible way.