Light and Shadows

The secret to life is to put yourself in the right lighting. For some it’s a Broadway spotlight; for others, a lamplit desk. Use your natural powers—of persistence, concentration, insight, and sensitivity—to do work you love and work that matters. Solve problems, make art, think deeply. ~Susan Cain

I love this quote by Susan Cain, author of Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking. (In fact, as I type this, it's dawning on me that I've used this quote before on my blog...lol. But I'm on a roll, so I'll continue!) Putting ourselves in the "right lighting" is so key to our happiness. If each of our lives could be conveyed in a single photo, wouldn't it be important that we be in the proper light, out of the shadows, and properly focused? Not only that, but the lighting should be properly exposed to bring out our best features...it's a delicate dance that's more difficult than it appears.

We've all seen (and taken) those photos with horrible lighting...the main focal point is obscured, caught in the shadows, and other objects that shouldn't be important are glaringly caught in the overexposed light when they shouldn't even be noticed. What a perfect way of describing our lives which can so easily get out of balance when facing every day stressors. Light and shadows, joy and strife: this is life. I try to place myself amidst the joyful things as much as I can, and not get lost in the strife. It's a daily balancing act, and I don't always succeed...but making art and being creative, even with my computer, is one way I bring light/joy to my own life.

For Photo Art Friday this week, Bonnie's theme was "shadows and light". I chose this image I took of two cacti (cactuses??) and started playing. I added multiple textures, one with pattern, and also ran it through Radlab many times. I lost track of all my steps - there were many. But for awhile this morning, as I sat sipping my coffee on a Thursday morning, I was very content...if an observer had taken my photo, the lighting would have been perfect (even if I am still in my PJs!). I hope your day is filled with perfect lighting, too - thank you for stopping by!

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