Light and Shadow

“All the masterpieces of art contain both light and shadow.
A happy life is one filled not only with sunshine,
but one which uses both light and shadow to produce beauty.”

– Billy Graham

I don’t regard any of my images as masterpieces. I’m simply a person who tries to photograph pieces of the Master’s work.

Some of my photos include both light and shadow.

Sometimes I simply shoot what I see.

At other times, I will specifically look for shots that incorporate areas of high contrast.

Shadows in the above photographs help direct attention to what is important.

In an early Peanuts comic strip, Charlie Brown is talking to Lucy, who is discouraged. “Life does have its ups and downs, you know…” the young boy counsels. Lucy immediately responds, “But why? Why can’t my life be all ‘Ups’?”

As Charlie Brown wisely pointed out, “ups” (light) and “downs” (shadow) are a part of life. Everyone’s life. Joseph in the Old Testament could certainly attest to that. In the New Testament, the apostle Paul would probably offer a heartfelt “Amen!” Even Jesus experienced this while he was on earth. Dallas Jenkins, creator of the groundbreaking series “The Chosen,” said Season 4 would emphasize “the darkness and the light, the bitter and the sweet.”

I think one of the takeaways from Mr. Graham’s statement is that God’s works of art – which include each of our lives – can be masterpieces, if we focus our attention on the Light and not the shadow.

. . . declare the praises of him who called you
out of darkness into his wonderful light.

– 1 Peter 2:9b (NIV)