Most of us 21st century folks understand that "blog" is a rather new internet-age word for a continual cyberspace conversation. Well, I say new, in that it was still a relatively new word a decade ago! "Blog" sounds more like a Japanese Sci-Fi B-movie monster from 1960's. Or perhaps an ancient Norwegian alcoholic drink to be consumed upon pillaging and plundering a neighboring village. And "blogging" sounds more like something you do in the Alps during the winter.
But in truth, we all are blogging every day whenever we share communications via the internet. Frankly I find the word boring, and in some ways, an unpleasant reference to sharing personal expression via the internet. But the purpose is one of ancient beginnings, that of personal expression/communication. The prehistoric cave drawings come to mind. Earliest ancient writings on papyrus. The first printing press. Communication is at the heart of everything technological today. Ironically, we have more methods of immediate comunication than ever before in the history of the world, and yet effective and purposeful communication beyond mere chit-chat, or self-grandizement, ala' facebook ramblings, or often superficial "tweeting" still eludes most of us, even with gads of new technology. In fact, it seems we are conversing more and actually saying less. I hope that my ramblings are not reflective of this current trend. Thus my new "blog" for the Highlands Photo Workshops begins...
"Seeking the Light" - a phrase usually associated with a spiritual context, has always been part of my photographic as well as spiritual vocabulary. Seeking the light is what photography is all about for me, beyond attempting to successfully capture emotional and physical content. It is the nature and quality of light that propells me to actually hunt for it, not unlike a hunter who stalks their prey.
Light can transform even the most mundane of subjects into something sacred, sometimes a glorious but all too temporary transformation. And always fulfilling, even on those days when I "fail" to capture what I saw. The important thing is/was I did "see" the results of light changing something temporarily. This is reflective of light in the spiritual realm in the sense of God changing us, of causing us to refect on that which is at first unseen, then seen. An epiphany that enlightens us. "God is light and in Him is no darkness at all..."
In this digital age the immediate visual record we have available from moment to moment is a continual revelation, allowing for instant editing and and often greater visual/aesthetic progression. This aspect of the digital technology is priceless, as it allows for the physical seeking of light more successfully than ever in the days of film and polaroids. And if we are fortunate, our seeking will lead to a deeper calling beyond the making of mere photography and art! Is it possible to record something deeper? Many believe it is. It is a question of timing, being in the right place at the right time, and as the great early 20th century photographer, Henri-Cartier Bresson originally termed the phrase, capturing "the decisive moment." And the quality of light has very much to do with such.
I recently lost the opportunity to have one of my photographs on the cover of a new book. The photo selection committee said it was "too religious," though there was no man-made religious symbol or facade, nor any person seen in the photograph! It was defined as such because of the dramatic nature of pre-dawn light digitally captured in a magnificent mountain range view. It seemed almost artificial, overly-enhanced, especially now with the advent of photoshop and other software today. *(But I never use the digital darkroom to create that which I didn't see "in-camera" when it comes to photographing the natural environment).
Can spiriuality or the essence of the divine be successfully rendered in a photographic image? I say yes indeed...but it has been a rare experience for me personally to capture. The quality of light is what I seek, in-camera, and in life.
- Mark W. Hutchison
