shadows

Shadows On the Wall

In Praise of Shadows

Michael Dees guest writing at Eric Kim’s blog, speaking my kind of language:

There’s an inherent mysteriousness in shadows. With shadows there seems to be a disclosure of sorts, but not the full story. Thus, imagination is kicked in gear, and the viewer is invited to complete a fitting story.

…Not only is there ambiguity and unfinished story embedded in every shadow, but often, a visual leading of the eye to the subject proper.

The whole essay is great, as are the images, but the above passage is the nut. It’s what draws me to take photos of shadows – of slices of light and darkness.

I’ve trained myself so that most of what I see is in terms of where the shadows are. Shadows are the reason I’m so against HDR photography (especially in urbex situations).

Why not leave a little mystery? Why not let the viewer participate in the story?

 

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Six Strings

My guitar has been neglected the past few years. I used to be a frequent player in high school, practicing several nights a week.

Now, my acoustic guitar mainly sits there, and I usually only pick it up on the weekends to noodle around.

I have three guitars in all: this Mitchell acoustic, an Epiphone electric, and a mutt electric that I’ve had since high school.

The Mitchell gets the abuse: light from the window, dust, and an occasional bump with the vacuum cleaner.

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