However, recently I felt the urge to take up photography again. Maybe your forties is when you recover from your twenties? Anyway, since I now have Jesus living inside me in a new and powerful way, photography has become much more interesting. I noticed that I "feel" a photograph, then capture it with the camera. I don't really know why it is that what I am taking a picture of should be a good photo. I just kind of know that there is a story in the picture waiting to be captured. Then after I see the photograph, I meditate on it for a few minutes... kind of like I used to wash the paper back and forth in the development solution in the dark room... and I understand what the story in the photograph is! Here are some examples of photos I took on a trip to NYC with my Honey for our anniversary.
This picture is from Manhattan, near the entrance to the Battery Tunnel. If I were to name it, I would call it "Going Up?". The Street Light is a symbol of the "light of the world", Jesus, who is supposed to guide our path. However obscuring our view of the light is the One Way sign, and No Standing sign. The world has a direction of its own that it seems like we are "required" to go in, and we are pushed along with no time for standing. Destined for great heights, the world seems to be against us!
I knew there was something special about this picture when I took it. The depth of field, the center piece, background, and framing of the trees was visually captivating. I would call this photo "The Mission", and it is personal for me since I work at DHS. The center of the photo has the American Flag, with the wind blowing at a powerful rate. Wind is typically a symbol of the Holy Spirit, silently guiding and directing with only its effects being perceived. In the background is the Manhattan skyline, minus the twin towers. In the foreground a family merrily interacts, somewhat oblivious to forces at work around them. The trees with their winter coats on symbolize the season we are in. Although the sun is shining brightly, the reality is that we are in the final season. Will there be another spring, or will this be the last? The wind knows, and directs us with it unseen authority.
I was really pleased with this picture of the Statue of Liberty, it is as good as any postcard I have seen. The real story here is the shadows. Light and Dark, divided by three dimensions. I have a hard time verbalizing this story. The shadows are in the foreground, which is not typical. The green grass, very blue sky, and copper lady liberty seem to also speak of the separation of things. These forces are at work, and we are but a small part (notice the very small looking person at base of the stature). Ultimately the things Lady Liberty stand for are in contrast with her surroundings, and further highlight this division of dimensions. Light, Dark .. Height, Width .. Grass, Sky .. Big, Small ... Liberty, Bondage?
This photo snuck up on me. I didn't really notice it until I had some 4x6's made of the trip. This is a photo of the main building on Ellis Island, where immigrants were taken for processing during the mass immigration of the late 1800s and early 1900s. My ancestors came through this very building. The trees, less leaves, seem to be hanging over the beautiful building, obscuring it as if the stories of the immigrants are what really matters. In a way you can hear the souls, with their hopes, dreams, fears, standing up and saying "I am important, don't forget me". I was stuck by the almost "ghost" like feeling which is about Ellis Island, and I think that is what is being captured here.
If you finished reading this, thanks for investing your time! I hope it was rewarding.
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