"Light makes photography. Embrace it. Admire it. Love it. But above all know light! Know if for all it's worth, and you will know the key to photography." George Eastman
A couple of weeks ago I was asked to give a gallery talk for an exhibit that I have hanging in the Dickinson County Nature Center in Spirit Lake, Iowa. I'm not fond of public speaking as I'm not comfortable speaking in front of people. I can still remember those awful book reports that we were required to do in high school to summarize our reading from some assigned book. Painful.
While dwelling on the task at hand I did come across the above quote which I thought stated the importance of light in photography...or rather the use of light. It's simple to understand that light comes into the camera and "dances" on the sensor for the creation of an image. It's another thing to understand the true meaning of the quote as it pertains to the quality of light that dances on said sensor. This quote turned out to be the substance of my talk as I don't believe the average art patron understands that light quality is the foundation of many, many pieces of art.
In speaking of my work, and photography in general, it gave me great comfort to speak about this subject as it relates to the "trigger" to an image. Whether it's the early or late hour that I stand watching the dance of light or the way clouds can reflect, bend or diffuse light, or the way light can cause glowing reflections on water, few people are aware of the importance of light in a final piece of work. In my case photography became a little easier once I understood the value of light in all its forms and intensities.
The above image was taken with my iPhone with a Slow Shutter app and then developed in several painting apps in the post processing efforts. Subdued early morning light with the first rays touching the clouds above the marina. What a great morning.
One small note...Side Street Gallery has now changed hands and the new owner, Roberta Williams, an incredible artist as well, will be opening the Summer Wind Gallery some time soon. I'm so happy that I will be a part of this gallery as well as many other extraordinary artists. I will keep you posted.
Sic 'em Bears".
For more views of my work visit;
Arts On Grand, Spencer, Iowa http://www.artsongrand.org/
Lanesboro Art Center, Lanesboro, Minnesota www.lanesboroarts.org
Summer Wind Gallery, Arnolds Park, Iowa
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