Light, Photography, and the Connection to Nature

What’s poppin, people? It’s Dante, currently catching the sunrise here in Philadelphia. Just letting the light peer into my eyes. You know, there’s something special about light—sunlight and the warmth it provides to my body and soul. As a photographer, light is more than just an element in my work; it’s my subject.

Light as the Subject

Light is what draws me in, always. I’m fascinated by the way it etches, shapes, and gives form to surfaces, people, faces, and things. It’s a subject with endless possibilities. And the truth is, you can’t make the same photograph twice when light is your guide.

“You cannot make the same photograph twice when using light as your subject.”

The Ever-Changing Nature of Light

Nuance in Every Moment: Light changes constantly, every moment and detail is unique. This change is something to celebrate in photography.
Time of Day Matters: Whether it’s the harsh midday light or the gentle rays of sunrise, each condition offers a new perspective.
Varied Light Sources: Think about the moon’s reflected light at night or the soft glow of overcast days—they all bring a different energy to the frame.

Light is flux. It’s movement. It’s change. And it shapes how I see and photograph the world around me.

Following the Light: My Approach to Photography

When I head out with my camera, I expect nothing from the world. My only guide is the light and my intuition. I position myself and let the world unfold before me.

“When I lift the camera up at any object, it could be the most minute detail of trees or leaves on the ground here… There’s something about the nuances that become so beautiful because of light.”

Embracing the Unseen

Curiosity Drives Me: I’m genuinely curious about how light will transform reality into a photograph.
The Play of Shadows: Sometimes, light casts long shadows, making faces and objects more abstract. These moments keep me engaged and intrigued.
Sketching with Light: Photography, after all, is derived from Greek—fos meaning light and graphia meaning writing. It’s an instant sketch of light and life.

“Photography in a photograph itself is an instant sketch of light, an instant sketch of life.”

The Rhythm of Sunlight and Life

Sunrise is more than just a time of day for me—it sets my circadian rhythm. My biological clock aligns with the sun, and I follow a routine of waking and sleeping with the natural light.

Aligning with Nature

Not a Slave to Time: By spending most of my day under the sun, I’ve broken free from the constraints of artificial time.
Increased Energy: My health is better, my energy is higher, and my vitality is through the roof—all thanks to the sunlight.

“When I ground myself in nature, when I align myself with the sunlight, I recognize the mere insignificance of myself in this grand universe.”

Recognizing Our Place in the Universe

It’s humbling to think about our place in the universe—standing on a floating rock, orbiting a ball of fire, hurtling through space. That’s what keeps us alive, right? The sunlight warms my skin, charges my body, and reminds me of how small my worries are.

“All of the worries, all of the anxiety, all of the small, trivial things… genuinely are not of my concern.”

The Distractions of Modernity

Letting Go of Trivial Concerns: The news, politics, social media—these are distractions from what’s truly important.
Aligning with the Light for Flourishing: By focusing on natural elements like sunlight, we can find a deeper connection to life and experience genuine growth.

Without sunlight, there wouldn’t be life. Plants grow through photosynthesis, and we, too, thrive under the same sun. In many ways, we are as connected to the natural world as the trees around us.

The Ancient Reverence for the Sun

There’s a reason so many ancient cultures worshipped the sun as a god or divine force. The sun is life itself. Bask in it, absorb it, and feel the warmth it brings—it’s truly uplifting.

“The feeling, physiologically, when it hits your skin and it goes through your eyes… it really does just charge your body.”

A Simple Guide to Sunlight

Expose Yourself to the Sun: More sun exposure means more energy and vitality.
Charge Your Body Like a Battery: Our bodies are like batteries, and the sun is the ultimate charger.
Sleep and Recover: At night, recharge your body, ready for another day under the sun.

Just like an iPhone, you’ve got to keep your battery full. Align with the sun, and you’ll feel the difference.

Finding Joy in the Simple Things

I love the sun, plain and simple. Without it, I wouldn’t be here, I wouldn’t have my photographs, and I wouldn’t feel this sense of gratitude every day.

“Yeah, I think these simple things like sunlight, water… They do go a long way.”

Experimenting with Light

I’ve been playing around with self-portraits, experimenting with how the sunlight hits my face from different angles. It’s fun to see the effects—like creating the illusion of a face tattoo with shadows or playing with leaves as foreground elements.

Angles and Shadows: Different angles create unique effects.
Foreground Play: Even the smallest adjustments can change the way light interacts with the subject.

The Ultimate Joy: Time Under the Sun

At the end of the day, my message is simple: increase your sun exposure. Find time to step outside, feel the warmth, and connect with the natural world. It’s a game-changer. Any time in the sun is time well spent.

“The sunlight… it’s the ultimate joy in my life. Any time in the sun is time worth it.”

So, go outside, soak in the rays, and let the light guide you—both in life and in photography.