Playing With Light

Every day you play with the light of the universe.^†

‘Though Mr. Neruda wrote that line describing his devotion to his beloved Maryka, he might have been writing about photographers because that’s exactly what we do – play with the light of the universe.  

Widely believed to have been coined by British scientist Sir John Herschel, the term photography is a portmanteau from the Greek:  Phōtós meaning light, and graphê meaning writing.  Ever since, photography has been described as the art of writing with light.

Light and shadow are two elements that combine to make any shot more interesting, by:

Making a flower seem as it it is lit from within.

Allowing a reflected image to tell the story.

Capturing a shaft of light that illuminates only the subject.

Creating vivid reflections.

Spotlighting the commonplace to elevate its appeal.

Highlighting a beam of light drifting across the scene to set the mood.

Casting a “spotlight” on the subject.

Using light to emphasize tiny details.

Illuminating what otherwise might have been concealed.

Forming shadows that tempt the viewer to explore.

‘Though each of those statements is true of all photographs, for me, it is doubly so in monochromatic shots.  

Light can be very challenging to photographers, but it is the element that truly makes the shot which is why photographers must learn to embrace it. I’m a photographer-in-the-making and yes, I struggle mightily with light — most especially mid-day bright sunshine.  But this challenge is what makes the art so enjoyable for me and besides, I love and am inspired by Mr. Neruda’s idea that I might be playing with the light of the universe.

’Til next time, y’all…

^†Pablo Neruda from his poem “Every Day You Play” —  XIV, page 14, Chapter 1 from his book Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair.