I remember pieces of one particularly lazy summer afternoon during my early childhood when the hours were filled with play, laughter and bright sunshine. Lying on a grassy hill next to two friends from my neighborhood, we chatted and plucked petals from "flowers" to play a game of "He loves me. He loves me not."
That was the first time I remember paying any attention to how the sun cast shadows on the Earth. It's when I learned that one hour of the day will always look different than the next.
That might sound trivial but it was an important moment in time for me. Because that particular afternoon ignited my lifelong love of nature and light.
Watching the sunset in Encinitas, CA
From then on I've become mindful of watching how light can change the look and feel of everything around us. I'm mesmerized by the perfect beauty of light dancing on a sparkling clear lake or the shimmering glow of a majestic mountaintop. I'm in awe of the bright white of the first snowfall of the season or the sheer wonder of a rainbow after a storm.
Sunlight: Smokey, Max and Newton fighting for space in the sun
It's easy to take for granted that the sun rises every day and sets every night, and in between light and shadow plays games with what we see in our waking hours.
Recently someone I hadn't heard from in a few years called to say she saw a post of mine on Facebook. The post briefly talked about a documentary I enjoyed on Netflix called "Finding Vivian Maier." The film discusses the life of street photographer Vivian Maier who skillfully captured on film people and architecture in over 150,000 photographs, photographs that remained undiscovered until after her death.
I borrowed the movie's companion book from my friend, a book that illustrates Ms. Maier's masterful black-and-white portraits from an era gone by. She captured the essence of good photography with light, shadow and passion.
Seeing Ms. Maier's photographs took me back to that summer day so long ago, of the lessons I learned about light and shadow, and the simple pleasure of enjoying the artwork around us created by sunlight and the light of the moon.
I've climbed a mountain before dawn and sat on a beach before sunrise. Watching how light changes over the course of a day is a gift and one of life's simple pleasures. I hope you take time to be mindful of how it unfolds around you.
What time of day is your favorite?
You raise a good point about light. The light in Sicily is so different than anything I've ever seen and it was notable.
Fabulous pictures. My cats too always hang out in a sun spot. They have alerted me to catch a few moments in a sun ray.I would say the morning is my favorite time of day. It is full of opportunities and energy.
Once again, such lovely observations. I've seen some beautiful sunsets -- but my favorite light has to be early morning. Maybe because I'm rested and fresh? Yesterday, I was running on trails with woods on either side. I remember thinking how amazing the light looks filtering through the trees. I'll have to look up your post on Vivian.
I love early morning and dusk. Frankly, I'm more likely to catch a sunset than a sunrise, though sunrises are beautiful here. I love the GWB at sunrise. It's one of my absolute favorite things to be able to witness --- the sun rising over Manhattan. It makes me happy.
I'm going to check out Vivian Maier, I had never heard of her before now --- I must have missed the post in which you spoke of her.
🙂
Beautiful pictures. If you lived near me, you could take photos of that Encinitas sunset every night! Would love to read the companion book to Vivian Maier. The movie was fascinating.
I love playing with light and shadows.The photo of the trees is just perfect.
There were days when we lived in the mountains where it felt like we were in the sunset... like it was painting us with it is beautiful colors.
Your perspective always inspires me.... Thanks so much!
When we went in search of our home, the most important "must have" for me was a house that was "east-west" facing because of my love of watching the light break the dawn to the last sliver as the sun sets behind the Rocky Mountains.
I am also mesmerized by light. Also clouds. I can stare at clouds for a long, long time. Lovely memories, and beautifully expressed, Cathy.
Fabulous photos, I too love nature and often find myself gasping at the beautiful reflections of light over the mountains or reflecting off lakes.