We are almost at the darkest point of the year. Up here in my northern corner of the world, that currently means about six hours of daylight. And yet I am taking a lot of photos lately. I don’t quite know how that happened. I think maybe because there is so little daylight, I am inspired to take advantage of what other light there is.
Sometimes I think that photography is a form of worship, and the object of my photographic workshop is the light. Isn’t that what it is all about – opening up to receive the world’s light?
The light in December takes many forms. I have tried to challenge myself to receive it in different ways. Making stars out of street lights. Doing close-ups of candles. Creating bokeh out of shopping centre windows and strings of Christmas lights. Stopping to really see the city at night. Playing with silhouettes.
The challenge will be to continue this practice in January when the Christmas lights are taken down while the darkness remains. Right now I have faith that I will manage, but if I don’t, that’s okay too, because then we will be past the winter solstice and spring will be on its way.
