09-APR-2009
Garden Wall, Tucson, Arizona, 2009
This shuttered window in Tucson’s historic district leads to a garden – we can see leaves forcing their way through the wooden shutters. I was struck by the effect of the early morning sun on the blue wall – it paints that wall, as well as the shutters within it, with dappled light. The shutters show the wear and tear of the seasons – they have seen the sun rise on them many times over the years. The play of light and shadow expresses a mood of timeless serenity.
14-NOV-2008
Berber cave house, Matmata, Tunisia, 2008
Berbers have been living in cave houses here for centuries. I use the diagonal play of light and shadow here to suggest the passage of the ages. There is also a diagonal relationship between a young Berber boy and a hungry cat.
11-NOV-2008
Street corner, Tozeur, Tunisia, 2008
When I am on a photo-shoot, I try to go out well before breakfast to take advantage of the early light. It produces striking contrasts, making ordinary subjects appear in extraordinary ways. It also paints subjects in a rich golden color, adding a wealth of meaning in the process. This image is a good example of both contrast and color. Light and shadow alternate both horizontally and vertically here, producing depth perception and a timeless quality. The golden wall at left provides contrast for the seated shadowy figure of a turbaned man seated motionless at left. He is seeking alms, and finds none. The morning sun illuminates half of the red gate at center – it is locked shut, symbolically echoing the poverty of the alms-seeker. (A few minutes later, another character entered the frame, and offered me an opportunity to tell an entirely different story within the same space and in the same light. See
http://www.pbase.com/image/106455377 )
08-NOV-2008
Pattern, Sousse, Tunisia 2008
Light and shadow can create patterns that express ideas. In this case, an overhead awning made up of wooden slats becomes a giant shadow wheel on the wall of a beachfront building. Superimposed over a geometrically designed metal door, the wheel creates a symbolic juxtaposition. The door represents closure, while the wheel suggests movement. Time itself seems to wheel relentlessly on here, while those who may be locked behind the closed door remain oblivious to its passage.
20-MAY-2008
Gravestone, Chinese Camp, California, 2008
The soft, dappled light falling on this gravestone evokes the very sentiment engraved on its face – “May she rest in peace.” The interplay of light and shadow is not only peaceful. It also provides abstraction and symbolism. In this case, what the shadows withhold is as important as what the light reveals. We can easily see a cross, a memorial phrase, the last name, the year of death, and the national origin. The first name, age, and town of origin, are abstracted -- implied rather than defined, because they are obscured by mysterious shadows. Those shadows can symbolize the mysteries of death itself.
28-MAR-2008
Dawn in the village, Khajuraho, India, 2008
A rising sun is echoed in the design of an ornamental gate in the village of Khajuraho. The light clouds add important texture to the background as well.
21-DEC-2007
Imperial fence, The Citadel, Hue, Vietnam, 2007
The play of soft light and shadow on this fence, built over 100 years ago, offers a nostalgic glow that energizes the past and removes the present. The light also sculpts the ornate details on each fence post -- the design alternates. The Emperors of Vietnam built the fence, which borders the area housing the royal palaces and fortress that once made Hue the cultural and political center of Vietnam.
04-JAN-2008
Morning pho, Sadec, Vietnam, 2008
Pho (pronounced "fuh") is a delicious broth, filled with noodles, beef, chicken, or pork. It is a meal in itself and is often devoured as a breakfast by Vietnamese. This woman not only is enjoying the soup -- she also has a large cup of steamed coffee on hand. It was the dramatic “Rembrandt” lighting that drew me to this scene. I shot this picture through the open front of a small café. A window off to the side and behind the woman illuminates her cheek, fingers, chopsticks, coffee pot, and the incongruous stream of noodles that she was slowly ingesting. There is just enough reflection from this light for us to also see her intent expression within the shadows. The right hand side of the image is filled with the shadowed back of a dining companion, who sits across the table from her. He, too, fades to black as food for the imagination.
10-NOV-2007
Spruce Tree Cliff Dwelling, Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado, 2007
A flare of light grazes the ruins of Mesa Verde's Spruce Tree House, a cliff dwelling built during the 11th century. It had more than 100 rooms, and is in excellent condition because it is protected from weather by an overhanging cliff. I grazed the sun with the upper right hand corner of my frame to create the flare of light. Using my spot-metering mode, I exposed for the light, which throws much of the image into deep, mysterious shadows.
11-NOV-2007
At the heart of Chaco, Chaco Culture National Historic Park, New Mexico, 2007
Chaco Culture National Historic Park is a ruined ancient city in North Central New Mexico. Its origins are still shrouded in mystery -- the Choacoans left no written records. Chaco is a park for the imagination, and this image serves it well through light and shadow. A shadow that becomes detached from its source can often become the basis of an incongruous image. These ruins have been here for more than a thousand years and I wanted to suggest the presence of the ancient ghosts who still might linger here. I use light and my own shadow here to abstract myself and become part of Chaco’s past. The 28mm wideangle format embraces my shadow, a kiva, and the ruined buildings, fusing a tale to tease the imagination of those who will look at this image.
08-NOV-2007
Entrance, Hubbell Trading Post, Ganado, Arizona, 2007
A plaque bearing the profile of a Navajo is mounted over the entrance to the Hubbell Trading Post at Ganado, Arizona. It has been there for over 100 years. Founder John Hubbell was a trader, friend and father figure to the Navajo people from 1876 to 1930. I wanted more than just a description of the plaque itself – I wanted to express the nature of the texture, color, and light that define this unique place. I use the geometry created by the interplay of light and shadow to achieve my goal.
07-NOV-2007
Geometry, Acoma Pueblo, New Mexico, 2007
The Acoma Pueblo, also known as Sky City, is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the US. The first white man to enter Sky City was the Spanish explorer Francisco de Coronado, in 1540. Built on a 367-foot high mesa, the Pueblo rises to 7000 feet above sea level. The light is magical -- here it plays geometric games on the walls of the Pueblo's Visitor Center.