Tuesday, October 26, 2010

inspired by the light


I'm having a secret love affair with light.  I've always been captivated by the slant of light at special times of the day, but now that I've found a way to capture it and keep it by taking a photograph, I'm a little obsessed.  I look for light everywhere.  I wait for it, morning, noon, and night.  I guess I might be something of a light stalker, if truth be told. I caught some amazing afternoon light in the gardens at the Vanderbilt Mansion recently -- a whole bed of little ghostly flowers dancing on delicate stems.

Tracy/SurprisePally's photo of fall leaves captures a completely different kind of light -- full of watercolor greens and blues, and those sweet red berries (with one that's just like a little heart.)  Here's what she had to say about what inspires her:

Light, detail, and color are probably the top three things that motivate me to take a photo and light is definitely at the top of the list. If the sun isn't shining, or nothing interesting is happening with light then I usually don't even feel like picking up my camera. When I  took this [photo], the light was dancing on the delicate berries and leaves on this tree and I love photographing these berries. They are so cheerful particularly because they are red and red always makes me feel happy. The small size of the berries and leaves make for an interesting pattern especially when using a wide aperture. This photo also reminds me of one of my favorite things about photography which is the endless possibilities for composing a photo.  Just move your camera ever so slightly and you have a completely different photo. I often take dozens of exposures of just one subject, which is probably quite amusing to onlookers. I love that,  though. Just snap that shutter and you have instant art. I can't draw, paint or write and I'm not even a particularly great photographer but it's an art that is accessible to me and I enjoy it more than I can express.

Thank you, Tracy, for inspiring me with your beautiful images and words.

 Until next time.

--lucy @ a little light reading

berry-okeh
berry-okeh by surprisepally

PS:  Today we've got a another great giveaway -- a copy of noted photojournalist David Douglas Duncan's photo-autobiography Photo Nomad.  Duncan, a LIFE magazine photographer, captured everything from the horrors of World War II to the private life of Pablo Picasso.  The book is filled with hundreds of Duncan's amazing photographs.  Leave a comment and you may be the lucky winner.

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We are having nine days of giveaways and special guests. We will be drawing the winners from the comments left during the entire 9 Days Of Inspiration from all three pages and announcing them in a special *muse flash* on October 31. Make sure to visit the Everyday Beauty and More Musing pages and comment each day for more chances to win.  Each comment is an entry to win. Good Luck.

39 comments:

Maria Ontiveros said...

Love this and would truly love to win that book. I love photography books!
Rinda

Chelsea said...

Also inspired by light! I can totally relate to Tracy...I usually take a bunch of photos of one subject...changing the settings, and moving all around to see how the light changes from different angles.

Justine said...

I love these photographs, I am inspired by the light too

blue elephant photography said...

i love light too and i shoot in natural light as much as possible. i love that berries photo i adore it =) the flowers does look ghostly but filled with light.

Anonymous said...

beautiful thoughts for today. I too appreciate light much more these days.

Unknown said...

such beautiful light!! Thanks for being so generous with these giveaways!

miruspeg said...

The quest for light has always been important to me. Mine is not a search for literal light - more, the search for direction, a message, a cleaning away of uncertainty and the recognition of inner spirit and authenticity.
I found your blog via Maureen at cottage 960.
Cheers
Peggy

Holly { Soupatraveler } said...

I can't believe tracy thinks she's not a great photographer, her berries are divine! both photos are divine! and i'm totally with you lucy on the light!

knitalatte said...

Both of these photos are great examples of capturing light. Just beautiful.

Lindy said...

OK, I just joined. I love the colors in the photo. I also have really enjoyed reading the blog. Thanks, you all.

Lianne said...

I love light too...many of my photos focus on catching a stray sun ray or creating a flare just to add to the moment captured on film. Love how the light makes your little white flowers seem mystical.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful images! I am a photography beginner and have loved getting to know your site!

Rebecca Lewis said...

Beautiful images...I too am loving light and often take many photos of the same subject myself ~ much to the dismay of members of my family ~ just to get that perfect shot.

angelandspot said...

Those are beautiful photos. The book looks really interesting I'll have to remember to check if the library has it the next time I am there.

GailO said...

I felt a connection with Tracey when she stated that photography was "an art that is accessible to me". I can't write, paint, or draw either but can express some of what I feel through the camera. I do disagree with her though when she states that she isn't a particularly great photographer! This photo and those on her flickr stream say that she is mistaken:)

Jamie said...

Amazing - such beautiful light!

JLC said...

Like watercolors ... yes, exactly.

Jenny said...

I love the thought about photography being "instant art." Thanks for sharing!

Kari Desi said...

I love the light you captured in the photo. It's beautiful. Sounds like an incredible book too!

Tracy (SurprisePally) said...

Thank you so much for selecting my photo, Lucy! It is such an honor to be included on this blog. I adore your shot. You've captured the light so expertly and I also love the beautiful blue tones. What a treat!

Cayce Lee Photography said...

I would LOVE to win that book...sounds incredible!

Cara Lopez Lee said...

Your photos remind me of the magic of light, too. They're like paintings, so delicate and almost impressionistic. Thanks for the reminder that photos need not capture exact forms, but rather, exactly what your eye loves.

Tammy Lee Bradley said...

Gorgeous Light and bokeh!

Andree said...

Wow, I love your pale-flower photo....and the text from Tracy hit someplace inside of me.

Thanks to you both for some needed inspiration...

Kirstin said...

I so know what you mean. I almost wake up at sunset to take pictures. Oh I love both of your pictures...

Anonymous said...

Happy to be introduced to your site! Something about the quality of light...not to be described, only felt. (I think that term 'light stalker' applies to me, too!)
As a new photographer, I also believe I'm reflecting rather than creating.

Stephanie said...

wow...those are such gorgeous cool tones in that image! I absolutely crave that type of watercolor bokeh in my images! What wonderful inspiration!
Thanks so much for this awesome blog!

Unknown said...

The berries photo is just divine. Painting, really. Lovely.

R.E. ~ said...

Beutiful light!! Beautifull shots!! The berries are gorgeous!

Claudia said...

I remember when photography wasn't so instant and I thought through my shots painstakingly - ugh, think of all I missed!! I feel my own photography definitely influenced by "seeing" light differently now that I have the luxury of digital ;)

Maureen said...

Beautiful photos, both of them, wonderful examples of finding the light. I too, have been mesmerized by light, but am just now learning to capture that with my camera. Excellent post Lucy.
xo
mo

Denise | Chez Danisse said...

Light does make all the difference. I find this to be so in life and photography. A conversation in a cafe can feel all the more warm and cozy when the light rests on your table in just the right way and a beautiful space can just feel off when poorly lit. You both captured special moments here. Thanks.

Vickie said...

Light is what it's all about!

Kyria @ Travel Spot said...

Both of these photos are fabulous! Light makes everything easier and more beautiful!

Michelle said...

Beautiful images! Tracy's bokeh almost looks like a microscope slide.

Crafty Girl said...

inspiring

Jessica Stier said...

I frequently catch my breath and just stare when I find beautiful light. It's almost a deer in the headlights kind of thing.

DnSmum said...

Pure art....

aclamp said...

i feel the same way as tracy...no light, no inspiration. i'm gonna die this winter! lovely images, to you both!

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