Create Your Own Light

So it’s winter here in Philadelphia, and I’m currently riding the SEPTA bus to work. It’s often very dark at this time of day, but I love watching the sun peer about the horizon as I cross the bridge to Fairmount Park, dazing out towards the skyline. Has me thinking, if it’s dark outside, why not just create your own light?

Painting with Light

When I look at the world around me, I view it as a canvas, and light as my medium, to draw upon the world. Through light, we possess the ability to create a new world. This, to me, is the ultimate superpower of photography: the ability to create something from nothing, or rather, seemingly nothing, as light is what ultimately gives us this ability.

I think all these years of photographing, after a decade, my true passion, my true interest with photography, lies with light itself. I’m fascinated by the sunrise, waking up early at dawn just so that I can watch the hues and colors change across open horizons. I’m always intrigued by the result of the photographs I make, and the way a lot of the times it’s out of our control. For instance, if I’m photographing a scene, I can’t necessarily predict the end result of the photograph before I make the picture. I have a general idea of what I can make compositionally, timing the moment, etc. However, light is always changing, in flux, and out of my control.

“This to me is the ultimate game of making photos: putting order to the chaos, the unpredictability, and the spontaneous nature of life itself.”

There are certain photos that I’ve made over the years where I have a general sense that I could make a photograph somewhere. I’ll stick around for a bit, working the scene, finding beauty in the light—maybe it’s golden hour, maybe the shadows cast on the wall. However, I can’t necessarily control the light; I can only respond to what I see in front of me in a fraction of a second. A young boy playing on an empty frame can turn his face in a particular direction, and the light can illuminate his gaze. Maybe a shadow casts across his face, and all I can see are his eyes looking back. Spontaneous moments, through the change and flux of light, have always amazed me. It’s almost like a miracle when I look back at the photo and wonder, “How the hell did I even make that?” Honestly, I couldn’t tell you—a lot of the time, it’s just a happy accident.

Mind, Body, and Spirit

I find that practicing street photography daily activates the mind, body, and spirit unlike any other artistic practice that I’ve been able to find in my lifetime. Firstly, photography requires the artist to experience life in open spaces, in the real world, on the frontlines of life. Not only are you there physically, but you become emotionally close to the subject that you’re working with—the things that you’re photographing, the places that you experience.

“This connection, both physical and mental, transcends the simple act of making a photograph into a spiritual experience.”

How? I believe that the photographs I make are merely a reflection of my spirit, my lust for life, my soul. When I make a photograph of something, I was there. I was present when I pressed the shutter—physically, mentally, and spiritually.

Just Let Life Flow

When I’m on the street, I like to walk at a very slow pace and just let life flow towards me. The only thing that I’m responsible for is being present and responding to my intuition. Everything else? It’s pretty much out of my control. I can’t control the streets, the light, or the moments that are fleeting. Recognizing what’s in our control is so important.

For instance, are we in control of our thoughts? I think a lot of thoughts just come to us randomly, spontaneously, and the only thing we’re responsible for is how we deal with our thoughts—how we respond to them. You can apply this to pretty much everything in life, as most of it is out of our control. We’re merely responsible for how we respond to it all.

What Is Your Rhythm in Life?

I think that I’m very chaotic. I’m very spontaneous. I don’t like to make plans or set any destinations. I kind of just follow my whims most of the time, if I’m being honest. I have control, but I can’t help myself but to embrace chaos openly. I don’t think that this is necessarily a good thing all the time, but it’s definitely put me into a lot of interesting situations.

“I like to just laugh in the face of chaos.”

What Are Your Guiding Principles?

I know that deep down I’m trying to strive for excellence, to become the best version of myself that I can possibly be—the best artist, photographer that I could ever be. I’ve always wanted to be the best, but I recognize this as a fatal flaw. It’s quite impossible, really.

“By striving for excellence, but recognizing that I’m merely a student and amateur forever, that’s how I like to go forward.”

Basically, I’m striving upwards, but I recognize that I’m bound by gravity.

What Happens When Man No Longer Needs Society?

Clearly, I love society, humanity, and city life, generally. I absolutely love being around other people and think that it’s important to have society and community in order to thrive as a human. However, I do recognize that it’s possible to live on your own, sort of like a wild, untamed beast. You don’t really “need” society in order to survive, but maybe you need it to thrive?

How Far Can You Walk in a Day?

Movement is godlike. Through the act of making a photograph, you transcend time. Walking and photography go hand in hand. Adventure is in my blood. If you’re ever wondering where I am, I’m always moving, walking, photographing, and never sitting still. The only time I stop moving my body is when I go to sleep and eat.

What Is Your Duty?

I can only really speak as a man because obviously, I am one, and that is that it is my duty to be strong. I think the role of a man is to simply be a rock, undisturbed, unburdened by external circumstances.

“I actually think that all evil stems from weakness, specifically weak men.”

I think weak men—men with very low testosterone, men that are weak of the body and mind—are probably the biggest threats to humanity.

Curiosity, Courage, and Power

Without curiosity, would you ever want to get out of bed, go outside, and see the world? Without courage, how would you face strangers, interact with society, or try something new? In order to cultivate curiosity and courage, I believe it derives through power, energy, and force. It’s actually quite simple—you just gotta move.

“A lot of people are looking for inspiration or motivation to get going, to start something, when it all simply derives from your two legs: standing upright and moving your physical body.”

Who Cares What Others Think?

It’s my belief that a lot of people are in fear of the judgment of others. This holds a lot of people back, myself included at one point. I was always afraid to just speak my mind or be myself, especially online and in YouTube videos. I would always just share my POV practicing street photography because people could judge me based on the merits of my work, and not who I am authentically.

Now, I am the niche. Whatever I’m interested in, I’ll create around those interests. Everything I do, I do without the need for external validation at this point. I don’t need your money, your views, your appreciation, etc. I just need curiosity and the will to create.

Personally, I’ve come to the conclusion that all of these online communities are just fake. By disabling likes and comments, and just sharing my perspective, my thoughts, my life, what I’m doing, I’ve been liberated and allowed to become my authentic self through the act of creation and not filtering anything.

“I highly encourage those that feel shy or timid, but want to create to just put yourself out there, disable the likes, the comments, and just create things because you enjoy it.”

I feel extremely liberated knowing that whatever I create, say, or do is coming from a place of authenticity without the fear of judgment. At this point, I don’t give a fuck what anybody thinks about me.

The word “comedy” derives from the Ancient Greek word kōmōidía (κωμῳδία), a combination of two roots:

1. Kômos (κῶμος): This refers to a revel or festivity, often involving drinking, singing, and merriment.

2. ᾠδή (ōidē): Meaning “song,” which is also the root of the English word “ode.”

Together, kōmōidía literally means a “song of revelry” or “song of merriment.” It originally referred to theatrical performances that were lighthearted or humorous, often involving satirical elements, ridicule of public figures, or bawdy themes.

The term was first used to describe one of the two major types of drama in ancient Greece, the other being tragedy. While tragedy dealt with serious themes and the suffering of its protagonists, comedy celebrated the absurd, often resolving conflicts happily.

In Latin, the word was borrowed as comoedia, which passed into Old French as comedie, and then into Middle English as “comedy” by the late 14th century.

Over time, the meaning evolved to its modern usage, encompassing anything humorous or designed to amuse, not just in theater but in literature, film, and other forms of art.

The slaughter of a goat during the festival of Dionysus in ancient Greece was a central ritual with deep symbolic and cultural significance. This act was part of the Dionysian festivals, particularly the Rural Dionysia and the City Dionysia, which celebrated the god Dionysus, the deity of wine, fertility, theater, and ecstatic revelry.

Symbolism of the Goat

1. Connection to Dionysus: The goat was closely associated with Dionysus as a symbol of fertility and abundance, reflecting the god’s dominion over nature, life cycles, and vitality.

2. Scapegoat: The slaughter of the goat may have had elements of catharsis or purification. The goat could serve as a scapegoat, absorbing the community’s sins or misfortunes before being sacrificed.

3. Wine and Goats: Goats were often seen as destructive to grapevines, which were sacred to Dionysus. Offering a goat to the god could have been a ritual acknowledgment of the animal’s dual role—both a threat to the vineyards and a sacrificial gift to secure the god’s favor.

The Ritual

1. Sacrifice: The goat was ritually slaughtered, and its blood was offered to Dionysus. The process was accompanied by hymns, prayers, and libations of wine.

2. Feasting: The meat of the goat was often consumed by festival participants, symbolizing communal unity and the renewal of life through the shared meal.

3. Skin of the Goat: In some cases, the skin of the sacrificed goat was used in the theatrical contests of the City Dionysia. This may have contributed to the term tragedy (from the Greek tragōidia, meaning “goat song”).

Theatrical and Agricultural Links

• The festivals of Dionysus marked important transitions in agricultural cycles, celebrating the end of winter and the promise of new growth in spring.

• The slaughter was not only a religious offering but also a theatrical gesture, as these festivals often included dramatic competitions. Early Greek tragedy evolved in connection with Dionysian rituals, possibly originating from the choral songs (dithyrambs) performed during the goat sacrifice.

Legacy and Interpretation

The sacrifice of the goat at Dionysian festivals represents the ancient Greeks’ intertwining of religion, nature, and cultural expression. It was an act of devotion to Dionysus, a god who embodied the cycles of life and death, destruction and creation, and chaos and order—paralleling the role of the goat as both destroyer and sacrifice.

Would you like a deeper exploration of the connection between Dionysian rituals and Greek theater?

Radio static versus VS clear connection

There Doesn’t Need to Be a Purpose

What’s popping, people? It’s Dante. Let’s talk about photography, free from the constraints of goals or purpose.

Let Go of Purpose

There doesn’t need to be a purpose to your photography. The goal, if there is one, is simply to remain curious and to keep making pictures. Forget about the pressure to create cohesive projects or grand bodies of work.

“Just throw it out the window and think of the photos as a stream of becoming.”

Each photograph leads to the next, forming an ongoing flow. The act of photographing becomes the purpose itself.

Use Your Body as the Ultimate Motivator

Let your body guide you. Move your feet through the world, experience life, and see things from fresh perspectives. By focusing on motion and exploration, you create opportunities for:

• Spontaneity: Capture moments as they happen.
• Discovery: See the world through a fresh lens.

Forget External Judgments

Rid yourself of external pressures—what others think, what defines good or bad photos, or the conventional ideas of success.

“Forget all of it and just focus on making new pictures.”

Photography is about personal expression, not conforming to someone else’s standards.

Embrace Curiosity

If street photography is your passion, approach it with a curious, childlike mind. Each day is an opportunity to:

• See the ordinary in extraordinary ways.
• Capture fleeting moments.
• Be playful and adventurous.

“Go out there each day with a curious, childlike mind.”

The Pinnacle

When you let go of purpose and embrace curiosity, you’ve already reached the pinnacle. Photography becomes not just a craft but a way of being—a journey without a destination.

“That’s it. You’ve reached the Pinnacle, I believe.”

Unorthodox Composition Thoughts

Thinking today about photographing with the Ricoh. While this approach can apply to any camera, the Ricoh seems particularly suited for unorthodox methods. Why? Because it liberates you from the need to look through a viewfinder or LCD screen. With the Ricoh, you don’t even have to look at all—you can simply throw the camera around.

A Liberating Approach to Photography

This technique can feel incredibly freeing. By letting go of the need for precision, you open yourself up to:

• Serendipity: Discover unexpected compositions.
• Spontaneity: Capture moments in a playful, organic way.
• Intuition: Develop a deeper connection with your camera as an extension of yourself.

“We need to think of some new and unorthodox ways of photographing.”

Why the Ricoh GR III is Ideal

The Ricoh GR III, with its 28mm lens, is simple yet powerful. Its compact nature allows you to:

• Become in tune with the camera: It feels like an extension of your hand or eye.
• Experiment freely: Wrist straps help keep it secure, while the GR IIIx works well for more precise compositions.

“When you’re photographing with this camera, you really don’t have to look.”

Embracing Play and Spontaneity

Photography, at its core, is about embracing the spirit of play. By stepping away from traditional composition methods, you can:

• Surprise yourself with the results.
• Make pictures in a more spontaneous, joyful manner.
• Focus on the physical, tactile nature of photographing.

“Don’t look—just shoot.”

Final Thought

This unorthodox approach might feel unconventional, but it’s worth exploring. It’s not about achieving perfection—it’s about the thrill of the unexpected. Let go of rigid rules, and let your camera guide you into the unknown.

Dante Sisofo sees photography as a profound tool for connection, discovery, and expression. To him, photography is not merely about capturing reality but about interpreting it, abstracting elements to reflect the photographer’s inner world. He often speaks of photography as a medium for aligning with nature, uncovering beauty in the mundane, and exploring the interplay of light, shadow, and form.

Dante views the act of photographing as deeply tied to the philosophy of seeing—an opportunity to walk into the unknown and uncover truths, not just about the external world but about the self. His transition from color to black-and-white photography reflects his minimalist ethos: stripping away distractions to focus on the essence of the image. He believes in spontaneity, emphasizing the decisive moment when instinct and intuition lead to an image that transcends the ordinary.

For Dante, photography is also about creating timeless art, aligning with Heraclitus’s notion of “flux”—the idea that no moment or photograph can ever be the same. This belief underscores his view that photography is a practice of perpetual learning, exploration, and humility, embracing the amateur spirit while striving for excellence.

In essence, Dante sees photography as a means to engage with life fully, to reveal beauty, emotion, and truth, and to leave behind a legacy of images that reflect the human experience.

Photography is spontaneous. You don’t have that much control. A lot of good photos are happy accidents.

For instance, when I set out with my camera, I could never imagine what the end result of a photograph will be. I can’t necessarily predict when a man’s face is going to turn a certain way as the light falls at an exact time in an exact way.

You don’t have much control. A good composition derives from a strong intuition, courage, and curiosity.

What You Get Is What You Didn’t See

What’s popping, people? It’s Dante. Let’s dive into an intriguing perspective on photography: what you see is what you get or, perhaps more accurately, what you get is what you didn’t see.

Exploring Photography as Subconscious Exploration

Photography, to me, is a medium for exploring the subconscious. It’s about following serendipity, intuition, and gut feelings. When you raise the camera and take a photograph, what emerges is ultimately what the camera saw.

You might see and frame the life unfolding in front of you, but the photograph often reveals elements you didn’t consciously notice. This creates a fascinating interplay between:

• What is visible: The life and action right in front of you.
• What is invisible: The subtle, unexpected details the photograph captures.

“Ultimately, the things presented to us in the photographs are what we did not see.”

Embracing the Magic of Photography

A significant part of the magic of photography lies in its unpredictability. Many elements in a photograph are out of our control, and to embrace this is to approach photography with wisdom. This mindset is especially powerful in street photography, where:

• Reality becomes abstraction: Each photograph creates a unique interpretation of reality.
• Curiosity drives creativity: We remain open to the results, embracing surprises.

“A lot of the things that happen through the magic of photography are out of our control.”

The Paradox of Seeing

So, what you see isn’t always what you get. Instead, what you get is often what you didn’t see. This paradox lies at the heart of photography’s power. It challenges us to look deeper and trust the process of capturing the unseen.

Final Thought

The next time you raise your camera, think about this: photography is not just about capturing reality; it’s about discovering what lies beyond your immediate perception. Let intuition guide you, and embrace the unexpected.

“Perhaps what you see isn’t what you get. What you get is what you didn’t see.”