shine forth

Photography.  It's all about light.  Even when broken down into it's simplest definition it is still all about the light.  If you don't know this already, the word 'photography' is Greek.  The definition based on the roots and prefixes actually means, "Drawing with light".  For me, that romantic idea was my spark. It's what started my passion for photography, for light drawing, for light collecting, light capturing, for light holding.  When we take pictures, we think about many things, but mainly the light.  Where is the sun?  Are there harsh shadows?  Is flash necessary?  But one of the things we need to think about is the light that comes from within you, and from within your subject. 

Inside every person is a light.  It may be just a candle, or it may be a huge bonfire.  But it's there.  The secret to creating beautiful portraits is to find that light and let it shine!  Look at your subject, and then see them with different eyes.  See the beauty in them.  And then find a way to manipulate that and capture the light, to store it in your camera.  Make them shine. 

Most of us are very practiced at this.  We understand beauty, aesthetics, and most of all, light.  Without even thinking about it, we are drawn to certain objects or people, enticed by something about it.  We may not even know what makes it so appealing.  Sometimes it may be outer light.  Often it may be inner light.  We are so experienced finding beauty outside of ourselves, that we never get in front of the camera.  It's hard to find your own light if you are always looking for ways to enhance others.  But there's also a light in you.  Your passion, your creativity, your love. Your desire to improve in any aspect of your life.  Your joy in living.  That gives you a beauty that  shines from the inside out.  It is greater and more pure than any makeup, surgery, or any other procedure can do for you.  You are beautiful!  The light within you absolutely glows!  I've never seen most of you, but I have seen your art.  Your light shines through in your photos.  It's part of the process that every photographer goes through when they push down the button and release the shutter.  They take a chance.  They share their light. 

There is a line from scripture that reads "...Arise and shine forth, that thy light may be a standard for the nations."

The necklace in my featured photo is one of my very favorites. It may look like a torch from far away, but if you look closer, you will see the profile of a woman's face.  It represents the light within us, and the simple beauty we can create.  This necklace reminds me to "Arise and Shine" and be an example through my actions and through my art. 

Please share any photo that you feel shows inner light and deep beauty.  Share it and allow yourself to shine!  You are talented, you are beautiful, you are loved.

Today I encourage you to discover your true beauty. Today I encourage you to shine!

Image and words courtesy of guest blogger Kelsey Schwartz.

In Pursuit of Light

In a forum such as this one where people gather and connect about their shared love for photography it’s no wonder to me that there’s a running conversation about the value of light. As photographers it’s what we do. We search for light and we seek to capture any bit of it that enchants us. Sometimes it’s about replicating a feeling or documenting a moment and other times it’s about creating a new one. However you view your photography, your camera may be the brush, but it’s the light that you mix on your pallet.

Some people I know, are moved by melody; others by prose. More still, by taste, style or sense of place. Of course any combination of these in the right dose and application hold meaning for me, but nothing touches my soul like the sun. My love affair with the stuff (and consequently my roller coaster relationship with darkness) started before I ever picked up a camera, though. 

Every door I walk through, the first thing I see is how the light enters the space. If I'm coming to visit you, don't waste your  time cleaning up, just draw open the blinds. The corner of a room where sunlight gets caught fascinates me, and golden glowing edges of cheekbones or jars are the things of my dreams.

I know exactly where the sun falls on my sofa at every hour during every season and nothing makes me more melancholy than august evenings when the light begins to fade and I know what lies ahead.

Scientifically it’s a thing—this need for the ultraviolet. For those of us who are afflicted, there’s a piece missing and we are at risk during winter’s shorter days. Here’s where the camera comes in for me.  I’ve learned to get through those darker days by absorbing every ounce of sunlight I possibly can and drawing it up to the surface when I feel the weight bear down. 

I collect the light with my camera. It exists in my computer and in print for me to inject directly into my mood as needed. I walk through days of usual and ordinary and I see things that are anything but. Light becomes a commodity and it takes on shapes and forms that can brighten even the darkest days. 

I know I'm not alone in this need for light. Those of us who make photographs, we feed on it. Vitamins, light therapy, yoga, antidepressants. None ever really helped before. Who knew that a camera might be the thing that could actually do the most good?

And so, as the sun streams through my kitchen window later into the evenings now, the feeling of weightlessness is palpable. The emotional hatches, tightly battened down sometime early last fall, have been removed and I am liberated. 

Do you have a favorite photograph that is all about the light? Share the link below!

Image and words courtesy of guest shutter sister Amy Drucker. You can find Amy on her blog, at Flickr and on Instagram at @amy_druck.

sparkle and shine

Happy April everyone! Is it me or does the energy of the season seem palpable? I love this time of year and from what I can tell from the spring buzz, everyone else does too. Because we, along with Mother Nature are bursting at the seams with excitement, beauty, hope, color, growth ( I could go on and on) we've chosen to celebrate with two words for our One Word Project this month; sparkle and shine.

Whether you find your inspiration from the light of the sun, spring showers, morning dew, bursts of bokeh or fantastic flair, for all of April we encourage you to join us as we seek out everything that sparkles and all that shines.

I for one, will be singing this little ditty from Steve Earle all month long.

Help us celebrate spring and all the sparkle and shine you can find today for our OWP (and Best Shot Monday if you're so inclined) here in the comments...and all month long in what will be a very shimmering OWP Flickr pool. Your sparkle and shine just might be featured here! Fun!

it calls to me

Spring is when you feel like whistling even with a shoe full of slush.  ~ Doug Larson

Oh my, we've had the craziest weather for this time of year. May temps in March! It's amazing what a little fresh air and sunshine can do for a person. Seriously so good.

Every day this week the porch swing has called to me.... 'come sit'..... and I do.... Even if it's just for a few moments. As I sit....the sun warms right through me. It's such a beautiful thing. I feel renewed...alive... more hopeful...inspired..... It's as if I'm bubbbling over. It's just so good.

Spring fever has hit!

How 'bout you? Share a little 'spring' with us today.

just a whisper

In the Beyond Layers group we've been sharing whisper images this week. I'm amazed at the beautiful photos one simple word has evoked. 

When I think of whisper I think of light, airy, white.......a gentle breeze.... I think of the quiet voice I often hear in my head.... soft whispers of a new idea.......or a quiet warning...'kim, something is not quite right' Over the years I've learned to listen to the whispers.... It's been a good thing....

How 'bout you? What thoughts and emotions does the word whisper stir for you? I'd love to see a whisper image.... Please share with us today.