365 Project - Days 339, 340

"I am always doing what I cannot see yet, in order to learn how to do it." Vincent van Gogh

"Poetry surrounds us everywhere, but putting it on paper, alas, is not so easy as looking at it." Vincent van Gogh

When you look at a flower or a bouquet or a single candle or a candelabra, what do you see? Are you certain that what you see and how you interpret what you are seeing is the same as everyone who sees? This is an interesting question. Artists interpret scenes in various shades or dimensions of colors and light. The way they see what lies before them, therefore, can vary greatly from one artist to another, hence the reason paintings of a single place or setting often differ markedly.

Add a lighter shaper in the mix, as I have below, and the complexity of how that scene is read changes dramatically. As I shared previously, I've been having fun playing with my crystals and prisms. It's amazing how a simple flower or a single candle changes with these light shapers. I was stunned myself and am getting better at anticipating the patterns and adjusting quickly as I learn more.

This exercise is a reminder that just as the artist creates poetry with their interpretation of an environment, we also have a choice in what we create with our interpretation of the scenes that play out around us. Beauty or destruction lies in our hands and we are the light shapers.

Blessings.

Today's Photos: Shaped by Light

“A painter should begin every canvas with a wash of black, because all things in nature are dark except where exposed by the light.” Leonardo da Vinci

365 Project - Days 317, 318, 319

"I embrace the wisdom of uncertainty, because if everything is certain, where is the creativity?" Deepak Chopra

I recently read a photographic article in which the author proposed an exercise to improve seeing light by sitting in the dark with an object and a candle or flashlight. The exercise suggests photographing the object while moving the small light around the object; then incrementally increasing the light source(s) while observing / tracking the effect. I have neither the resources nor the patience to sit in the dark with an object and multiple light sources to attempt the full exercise, but I was anxious to try an adapted version.

I created a candlelight series, taking 3 days with 3 different types of subjects using a single candle to observe the shift in light. As with most of my 365 efforts, I wanted to use resources on hand. I chose a medium-sized, simple everyday candle in a jar. This was a candle my husband lights from time to time in the kitchen. Since it does not provide a lot of light, I needed to push the ISO on the camera (to 1250), which provided a wonderful opportunity to test the noise level on my new camera. The environment, the camera (Nikon D750), the lens (85mm), the ISO are constant for all of the photographs. The third day I switched to a small pillar candle, however that made little difference.

To illustrate the exercise for each day below, the EXIF is exactly the same. The only difference in each of the individual groupings is the position of the candle; the direction of the light. This was an exercise in discovery. A few things were constant or certain, however, much of this was about discovery and creativity. This was why I wanted to try this with different subjects. Given the limited amount of light in the room and on each object, this turned out to be an excellent way to SEE light and shadows on each of the objects. The light varied in placement, distance and height, but was always present.

There's an interesting parallel in our lives. We sometimes forget that light is always available and we have a choice of hope. As I see it, there are two ways to live: 1) as though light is shining directly on our face, ready for us to embrace, absorb, utilize and share. Or 2) as though darkness has overcome that light. As you can see in all of these photos though the light may be dim, it is there if you look for it. The source, the angle, the distance may make it difficult to see at times, but it is there. In the 2nd photo of the apple (Day 318), if facing the darkness: turn around.

Recognizing the light is there all the time, regardless of the situation or circumstances, can brighten our days in big and bold ways. I love how boldly David shifts from speaking about God turning his darkness into light to having the courage to lead an army and scale walls: "You, Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall." Psalm 18:28-29

Perhaps, if we explore and embrace the light, we will also enjoy a similar sense of hope and courage!

Blessings!

Today's Photos: Discovering the Light Series

Day 317

Day 318

Day 319

365 Project - Day 179

"Every moment of light and darkness is a miracle." Walt Whitman

In the middle of the night, in the darkest moment, light can be both the most challenging and the most inspiring. Regardless, it is always the most crucial.

This photo op took place late at night after a busy day. I was tired, frustrated and admittedly initially lacked creativity. After trying a few photographs with and without my speed light - it appeared I was doomed. It seemed I would simply have to choose the "cream of the crap" for today's photo. Ready to call darkness the winner, I noticed my small shoot-through umbrella in the corner. I did not have the energy to set up a light stand. Instead, I set the timer on my camera, held the umbrella in my left hand and the light in my right (I'm sure I looked rather silly). Voila! After seeing the results of the first few photos, I was instantly refreshed, saved by the spread of light. A funny thing happened, though. I decided to try a few photos with this setup angling the light and umbrella up from below. Turns out I prefer the contrast of the dark and light, resulting from this arrangement over the broad brush of light. I should note however, that the black and white I've added here, is the broad light version. I'm sharing simply because I like this artistic black and white.

So, while I was despairing of both the darkness and the light, it took a fresh perspective to create the inspiration I needed. I am grateful that I did not give in. In this situation, as in all, I learned from both the darkness and the light. And, in the end, the best photograph was the illustration of the light overcoming the dark, not removing the darkness.

(Footnote - my one regret is not using a smaller aperture to capture all of the flowers in focus)

Blessings.

Today's Photos: Hope in Contrast

"Maybe you have to know the darkness before you can appreciate the light." Madeleine L'Engle








EXIF: Nikon D7100
ISO 800
50mm
f8
1/125