When I wake up in the morning, I open my eyes wide. I immediately begin to move and walk towards the cliffside behind the Philadelphia Museum of Art. When I stand atop the cliff and watch the sunrise peer above the horizon, I remind myself that this world is so open, offering endless and infinite possibilities for us to learn, explore, and experience.
The act of photography, for me, lies in the ability to create something from nothing. With light itself, as the essence of the medium, we possess the ability to be creators.
Light as Infinite Possibility
When light pours across the sea, the river, the lake, and I watch it reflect back at me, I recognize the endless possibilities of photography. Just like water flowing—always changing and moving—the light shifts, shaping and giving form to surfaces in nuanced and fleeting ways.
Because of this, I view the practice of making photographs as a meditative pursuit. For me, photography is about recognizing the patterns of nature and human behavior, becoming in tune with light itself.
“In the early morning, I watch the light and the way it is so beautiful and elegant, as the color of the sky changes, and the long shadows are cast. I find myself making photographs at the greatest part of the day.”
The sunrise, for me, is an infinite sea of possibility. The day has just begun, the birds are chirping, and as my body moves and I walk, I embrace this change—this infinite possibility.
The Dance of Light
There’s something poetic about light and the way it sings and rhymes with the objects it touches.
For instance, at noon, when the light is high in the sky, it casts stark and dark shadows, creating dramatic contrast. Shadows are crushed deep into the alleys and streets, and I find myself abstracting reality—creating new work that resonates with this time of day.
“This time of day at noon may seem to be more challenging to photograph due to the way light is cast, but overcoming that challenge is a fun way to give your life more meaning.”
Ultimately, photography gives more meaning to the moments around me. A simple shadow cast upon a wall or the face of a stranger becomes something beautiful—something worth uplifting in a photograph.
Following the Light
By making a photograph of light and simply positioning myself under the sun with my camera, I am affirming life. When I walk the streets, I follow no particular theme or subject. Instead, I follow the beam of light cast from the sun.
Here in Philadelphia, Broad Street is wide, as is Market Street, and I love walking these streets because there’s more opportunity to catch the sun. Under this beautiful light, I see so many moments, always changing and flowing.
Reflecting on the Day
As the day moves on and the sun begins to set, I recognize how beautiful the day has been. Returning home to the darkness, I reflect on the photographs I’ve made. I give thanks for the light, for it is what provides me with the ability to create.
As I go to bed and rest my head, I am eager to wake up the next day. When the sun rises once more, I simply recognize how beautiful life is. This endless cycle of death and rebirth, with each new day, emphasizes change—with light as my medium.
In Praise of Light
The power of light is ever uplifting,
Like flowing waters, forever drifting.
Infinite wonders in patterns arise,
Reflected in nature, seen with my eyes.
Eager to learn, to wander, explore,
I greet the dawn as I step out my door.
I give my thanks to birds in flight,
To trees that sway in morning light.
Another day, so wild, so free,
The world unfolding—just you and me.
Beneath the heavens, so vast and bright,
We walk together in infinite light.