Thoughts on Light, Life, and Photography
What’s poppin, people? It’s Dante. I’m currently walking around Old City Philadelphia, heading toward the Benjamin Franklin Bridge. I absolutely love walking the bridge. This is where I thrive—on my own, in the unknown.
Wandering in My Hometown
I love wandering around, just chilling in my hometown. Yeah. Take a step in my shoes today. Check out the path—the path that leads to faith, liberty, and discovery.
I’m passing by this award-winning museum I’ve never been inside of. Interesting. And I was thinking, you know, I’ve been photographing all day. Just another day, right? Another way. But it never ceases to get old.
Everything Is Infinitely Fascinating
“Am I crazy for thinking that everything is beautiful? All the imperfections, all the cracks on the ground, all the intricate details around me.”
Everything around me is so damn phenomenal. The way the leaves wiggle, the trees decay, the old buildings that have stood here forever—it’s extraordinary. When the sun’s out, everything gets elevated from mundane to magical.
I’m walking past Franklin’s burial place right now. Man, the passage of time is so f***ing amazing. *When I’m walking, when I’m moving, I feel this abundance flow through me.* It’s about change, evolution, flux, and the way time moves while you stand outside of it. And when you look at everything with awe, everything is beautiful.
Seeing Like a Child Again
“I like to look at the world like I was just born yesterday.”
It’s easy to get jaded as you grow older. You feel like you’ve seen it all. But me? I walk slow. I stop. I notice the hollow acorns on the ground. I remember being a kid, throwing acorns at friends, climbing trees, and feeling alive. And now? I’m leaving an acorn at Franklin’s grave instead of a coin. That’s the kind of sh*t that keeps me curious.
The Power of Light
Light is everything. Photography is literally writing with light. In Greek, phos means light, and grafia means drawing. That’s what we’re doing—drawing with light.
“Throw your back to the light, look at the long looming shadows, and you’ll see yourself reflecting back at you.”
Life is this ultra-HD, high-res video game, and the possibilities are endless. Outdoors, under the sun, I feel alive—like a battery charging through photosynthesis. Humans aren’t meant to be stuck indoors under fluorescent lights. That’s not living.
Breaking Free from the Modern World
The modern world is a trap. Zoom calls, working from home during COVID—it all reminded me of public school: sit down, obey, listen to the bell, and memorize useless sh*t so you can work for the rest of your life.
“Are we supposed to just live and then die? To chase this illusion of money until we fall into the grave? That’s it?”
No. Life is bigger than that. Your body is a temple. When you treat it like garbage—eating Oreos, watching toxic news, consuming endless junk—you’re denying life itself. Our bodies are art, and we should glorify that fact.
Photography and the Human Experience
To me, photography is a superpower. It’s a universal language that transcends all barriers. The connection between my eyes, mind, and intuition is what guides me. Every moment is fleeting, every moment is changing, and I’m here to capture that flux.
“I could walk the same mundane lane every day and never make the same photograph twice. Everything is in flux.”
Photography isn’t just about seeing; it’s about being in it. Walking endlessly, moving through the world, and letting the act of photographing bring me closer to life itself.
Unity and Humanity
We’re all more similar than we think. Standing on top of the Simien Mountains in Ethiopia, I saw it clearly: we all come from the same place. Different languages, religions, cultures—but deep down, we’re the same.
“I’m a fan of humanity. I love people and don’t seek to divide.”
That’s what photography does. It doesn’t divide; it celebrates. It’s not black and white. It’s vibrant, full of colors, and infinitely complex.
Elevation and Perspective
When you elevate yourself—physically or mentally—you see things differently. Standing on the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, I can see everything: the skyline, the chaos of cars, the sun piercing through.
“The world isn’t what it seems. Everything is obvious, yet it’s a mystery to me.”
Zoom out to the galaxies, zoom in to the blood rushing through your veins. Roads are like arteries, cars like cells carrying nutrients. The patterns are everywhere, and it’s empowering to see the world this way.
Life Under the Sun
Outdoors, under the light, life flows. Indoors, life stagnates. The sun fuels me, and my body feels alive. Like a plant undergoing photosynthesis, I grow stronger the more time I spend outside.
That’s it for now. I’ll keep walking the bridge, soaking in the light and letting life flow through me. Just wanted to share these thoughts. Life’s out there—go get it.