"The Light of the World" (Friday Photo - 1.29.10)
As a photographer, I’m always observing the light while out taking pictures. In fact, it is the way that the light strikes an object that often captures my attention in the first place, when searching out picture possibilities.
How light and shadows play across a subject will often determine whether a photo will be striking, or mediocre and boring -- the quality of the light is often much more important than it’s quantity. Photographers must often be patient and wait for the “right” light for their subject to be seen in it’s “best” light.
In the photo above (taken on a large ranch in Colorado), the sweeping vista of valleys and hills, and the water and mountains were very drab and colorless on a grey, cloudy day. I took a couple of photographs of what should be a very beautiful scene, but was very unimpressed with the results. The light was very flat and uninteresting, and did nothing for the majestic view that was before me.
As I prepared to leave, I noticed that the sun began peeking through the clouds and began to strike and highlight different parts of the landscape. A grove of aspens in the foreground and a valley with small hills and plateaus in the background were struck with independent shafts of light, as well as shadows that added depth, interest and dimension to the landscape. The resulting photograph was much more vibrant and interesting than the first ones that I took.
I thought about Jesus’ words in John 8:12, and how the light that day on the mountain opened my eyes and heart to better understanding. He said, “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows Me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life” (HCSB).
The light of Jesus Christ not only gives life to the believer, but also adds depth, interest, vibrancy, dimension, clarity and beauty as well. Very much like the natural light as it plays across God’s creation.
Posted by Kent Harville
Corporate Visuals Coordinator
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