In a Good Light

I wanted to photograph the stray zinnias that made their way through the grasses and strawberry plants, far from the actual flower field. I love the evidence of seeds that have traveled by wind and taken root. But the light was harsh and the patch of soil left largely untended. Weeds everywhere, with the zinnias insistently claiming their place in the landscape.

Paul continues—

What if none of these exist at the moment you arrive, no gesture, line, relationship, expression and no light? Then be patient, wait, breathe and give everything some space to breathe. The American photographer Minor White says “Be still with yourself until the object of your attention affirms your presence.”

In his recent post, Let down by the light?, Paul Sanders sets the record straight on the familiar complaint echoed by photographers everywhere about how light is the factor that makes or breaks an image.

So let us reframe this light issue. There is no such thing as bad light! Light is just light, sunlight, harsh light, soft light, moonlight, starlight, candlelight, incandescent light, reflected light, transmitted light, every form of light gives a quality of its own that we as photographers can and could learn to work with.

Light is never to blame, we are for our lack of flexibility and openness.

Photography is about light yes, but it is more about connection, relationship, gesture, line, texture, expression.

Prime Time

I’m quoting Maggie Smith from her Pep Talk.

When is your brain most primed to make things? Protect that time.

Maggie gives solid advice.

But whenever you are sharpest, give yourself and your creative work that time. Don’t devote the best thinking part of your day to emails and errands.

I am greedy with my best hours. I often wake up with my head full of ideas, so it’s not uncommon for me to take pictures in my pajamas in the early morning. My husband knows that I will not be making the bed or making breakfast on these days; he steps in with the daily tasks to support my creative practice. I also tend to wake up in the middle of the night, and not be able (or willing) to go back to sleep because I have an idea I want to pursue. It might be researching a question, writing, or editing photos. Or sometimes, the house suddenly feels exactly 1 pound too heavy and desperately needs decluttering. I do some of my best thinking and work between 3 and 5am; it’s quiet and I can focus deeply without distraction. Yes, this definitely flies in the face of every recommendation for good sleep practices, but I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all advice. I know I will need a daytime nap if I’m up in the middle of the night working, and that suits me. I’m making up my own rules these days.