'The Sound of Space Breathing [Verse III, no. 18]' emerges from Hughes' seven-year photographic journey along Cornish footpaths, where he sought to capture nature's intrinsic musicality. Using a large format camera and silver gelatin printing, Hughes creates luminous prints that reveal the rich tonal range of natural light.

The photograph embodies Hughes' concept of images "as songs rather than photographs," where visual rhythms harmonise with nature's elemental voice. He layers imagery through his masterful darkroom techniques to generate scenes that transcend literal representation.

The work captures what Hughes describes as "gasps and summingness, the sound of space breathing," where trees whisper, and natural elements speak in their unearthly language. This approach reflects his philosophical stance that "through nature, all makes sense, all things flow one into the other," creating a meditative space where the boundaries between earth and atmosphere dissolve.