Challenging Light
Edition III
I recently went on an overnight trip to the Middle Prong Wilderness, NC. The goal was to photograph blooming rhododendrons in spectacular angled light rays against a backdrop of blue mountain ridges. What I found was the cold with nothing blooming and, worst of all, clear blue basically cloudless skies.
I ran across this quote and it struck me
There is no bad light. There is spectacular light and difficult light. It is up to you to use the light you have. - Jay Maisel
I was unfamiliar with Jay Maisel and had to look him up. He is a New Yorker and award winning photographer since 1954. I would describe much of his work as street photography. His website says he is “known for capturing the light, color, and gesture found in everyday life.”
The quote is important because it relates to my own approach to photography. I seek great light conditions when I’m close to home. I’ll check the weather and a couple of apps that supposedly predict how good the sunrise or sunset will be and plan accordingly. But I often have to drive several hours to reach locations in the mountains. Backpacking trips require me to plan in advance with the time available to me. For these, I am reliant on the light conditions that Nature provides. There have been many times that I have been to great locations with very challenging light conditions. There are still photos to be made, it just takes extra thought and creativity. I still believe these trips are worth the effort, regardless of the images I come back with, because the experience makes me a better person.
We must concern ourselves absolutely with the things that are under our control and entrust the things not in our control to the universe. - Musonius Rufus
Middle Prong was definitely a difficult light scenario, but it challenged me to get better. Here is an essay I wrote about the experience-
Check it out and let me know what you think. Words are hard, but I’m working to improve.
Its the 3rd edition of this newsletter and I appreciate your readership. I’m having fun with it and the goal is to push it out once a week on Sunday. Right now I’m planning another trip to NC in early June to find the Catawba Rhododendron blooms, so stay tuned! As always, if this has been of value please share!
Jay Maisel's quote is spot on. I often get frustrated when the light is not as I want or expect. But, as the photographer, it's on me to take all the ingredients (light, subject, gear, etc.) and blend them together to create the best photograph possible.