glow | Thinking Through My Lens

I sneak a peek at the news and the darkness spreads over me. It feels like a shadow, blocking out the sunlight and warmth I crave. Just when I think it can’t possibly get any worse, it does. How do I both stay informed and sane at the same time?

The sun was shining when I got to school this morning. I headed into my classroom and immediately got to work organizing materials for teaching. I looked up and saw my colleague pass by…and ran out after her to give her something.

That’s when the light caught my eye. The soft warmth of morning light caressed the yellow wildflowers that are a part of our landscaping. I couldn’t resist leaning in for a photo to try to capture that moment to carry with me throughout the day.

The light, my friend and her bright morning optimism, golden flowers aglow, and the warmth of the sun on my shoulders came together to create the perfect conditions to start my week.

Here’s to keeping the glow…or at least returning to the photo to remind myself not to dwell in the shadows.

What keeps your spirits up when things start to feel heavy?

Yeah…it’s cliche, but it is the holiday season. The days are short. The sunset comes early enough that I see that golden glow most every day as I drive home from work. Today on my way home I dropped by the beach because I heard there were high surf advisories (with sets up to 9 feet!). I caught the golden glow, but it’s hard to see that the surf is a bit larger than usual.

A few days ago I managed to catch the sun behind the lifeguard tower. The angle I caught created this red glow (along with the sun spot reflecting on my lens)…an interesting effect. (Does it have a technical name?)

Somedays the glow is less obvious, but there is something wonderful about this late afternoon light before the sun sets. The edge of the waves look so creamy and dimensional and the sand seems so flat and smooth in contrast. I love the beach this time of the year when it belongs mostly to those who can’t resist the lure of the sea.

Sometimes the sea and the sky seem to dance, intertwined as they swirl and swoop, partners in blue and gold. This particular vantage gives an expansive view looking out, looking down, and looking up.

And because it gets dark so early, we have lots of electrical light too. This tree was a-glow, lit from top to bottom, shining in the early evening darkness. There’s definitely a festiveness that comes with the wearing of the lights.

And there’s the sparkle and glow of indoor light. In this case, reflecting on the large glass globes adorning the tree. And if you look closely, you’ll see me glowing in there too. A nifty selfie reflected in the holiday glow!

So…what’s glowing in your world these days? Nature’s lights? Holiday lights? Or the warm smile of a friend?

You can post your photo alone or along with some words: commentary, a story, a poem…maybe even a song! I love to study the photographs that others’ take and think about how I can use a technique, an angle, or their inspiration to try something new in my own photography. (I love a great mentor text…or mentor photo, in this case!) I share my photography and writing on social media. You can find me on Instagram and Twitter using @kd0602. If you share your photos and writing on social media too, please let me know so I can follow and see what you are doing. To help our Weekly Photo community find each other, use the hashtag #glow for this week and include @nwpianthology in your post.

Be on the lookout for glow, and capture it through your lens! I’m looking forward to your interpretation.