Thoughts on Light and Shadow

 Which of my photographs is my favorite? The one I’m going to take tomorrow.

                  Imogen Cunningham (1883 - 1976)

I’m finding that if you persist with a craft, hobby, or pursuit over an extended period of time, you will evolve in ways both obvious and imperceptible. About a year ago, I wrote about Winter Light and how images made in the short and largely monochromatic end of year days may evoke a totally different feeling from the brightly lit and colorfully saturated images more readily found in the middle of the year. Twelve months on, I still seek out, and by and large, favor a wintery black and white composition. However, I am surprising myself by finding color creeping into some more recent photos. Frankly, I am not sure what to make of it. I don’t know whether it’s a sign that my craft is evolving or is it a case of “peeling back the onion” and finding more in what I thought I already knew.

So, in this season of new year resolutions, I think my soundest resolution will be to stay the course, not overthink my approach to photography and see where this journey takes me. And above all, I resolve to stay curious and in the spirit of Imogen Cunningham, look forward with excitement to the photographs I’m going to take tomorrow.

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Just to note, I am very gratified to have had one of my photos selected by Decode Gallery (www.decodegallery.com) in Tucson, for their show in January 2026, examining the theme of “Light and Shadow”. If you are able to visit, Decode Gallery is located in a beautiful and historic building in downtown Tucson. If you are unable to visit in person, their website showcases works from this current show and their prior exhibits, which are available for purchase through the gallery. This is an excellent way to both reasonably acquire works from artists that may not yet be household names and at the same time support the important work Decode Gallery does to foster photography.