Light is the source of life and essence of photography. The emotional quality of light is what I strive to capture; which also motivates my continuing passion for photography. Light penetrates, permeates, envelopes and impregnates life.  When the right light is combined with the subject at the right moment, one can experience life emotionally and spiritually on a photographic level. That’s the emotional quality of light that I’m passionate about and make every effort to capture each and every time as a photographer. In essence, I am photographing a marriage of light and a moment in time whenever I press the shutter. so it’s important that I make it a happy union.

The following are two excerpts from two books in my personal library that talks about the importance of light and emotion. The first is from “Light and Lighting in Photography” by Andreas Feininger, published 1976. Here is how Feininger, a former Life photographer wrote about light:

“Every form of creative expression has its dominant medium, and the dominant medium of photography is light. In view of this fact, it would seem only natural to assume that photographers are conversant with the functions, qualities, forms, and uses of light. Unfortunately, this is often not the case. Actually, with very few exceptions, the only questions photographers ask in regard to light are: How bright is the light? Is it bright enough for making a hand-held exposure? What f/stop and shutter speed can I use? In other words, all they are interested in is the quantitative approach to light.

But important as this approach is to the making of technically perfect negatives and transparencies, it does not guarantee the creation of perfect pictures. Why? Because any satisfactory photograph is the result of a successful synthesis of technique and art. As far as light is concerned, this requires not only that there be a sufficient quantity of light available to guarantee a perfect exposure, but also that this light be of a quality that’s compatible with the nature of the subject, the mood of the scene, the intentions of the photographer, and the purpose of the picture before it can be expected to lead to meaningful and aesthetically satisfying photographs.”

Well, that was a mouthful, but the principle still applies even though we are in the digital age and using high tech camera equipments that allow us to practically shoot in the dark.

The second quote is from Michael Chapmen, the cinematographer, who lit Taxi Driver, and Raging Bull, from his interview in “Masters of Light”,

“…You can screw up exposure pretty badly and still see at least something. The most important thing is to get a series of images that convince emotionally and tell a story.”

The emotional quality of light is of utmost important when storytelling. It’s the motivation that keeps me, theStoryteller, going.