NIGHT LIGHT
In the eerie quiet of the night, amidst the hum of distant traffic and the soft glow of streetlights, I found solace.
It wasn't always this way. There was a time when the darkness was suffocating, when clarity seemed like a distant dream. That was before photography entered my life and changed everything.
It all began with a simple click. My brother, my closest confidant, handed me a camera one evening, urging me to capture the beauty of the night sky. Reluctantly, I obliged. Little did I know, that single moment would become the catalyst for a profound transformation.
As I ventured into the world of night photography, something inside me shifted. With each shutter release, I felt a sense of calm wash over me. The chaos of daily life faded into the background, replaced by a quiet focus on the present moment. In the darkness at 3 am, I found clarity.
But it wasn't just my brother who guided me into this nocturnal world of photography. A family friend, who had honed his skills during hunting trips up north, saw the spark within me and suggested we shoot together. One night, he took us out on a nocturnal adventure, sharing his expertise and revealing the secrets of night photography.
Under the star-studded sky, our new sensei/sifu illuminated the in depth nature of his workflow, explaining the relationships between shutter speed, exposure, and ISO. With patience and enthusiasm, he showed us how to harness the magic of the night light, transforming darkness into art.
As we wandered through the silent streets, he encouraged us to experiment, to push the boundaries of our creativity. With each step, we learned to see the world in a new light, finding beauty in the shadows and wonder in the unseen.
Through his guidance, I began to understand the power of photography not just as a means of capturing moments, but as a tool for self-expression and exploration. With each click of the shutter, I felt myself growing bolder, more confident in my abilities.
And so, armed with the knowledge passed down from my brother and our family friend, I ventured forth into the night, eager to capture the beauty that lay hidden in the darkness. With each photograph, I found a sense of peace, clarity, and focus that had eluded me for so long.
Photography saved me in ways I never could have imagined. It gave me a purpose, a passion, and a sense of belonging in a world so daunting. In the silence of the night, I found my voice. And through the lens of my camera, I found myself.
I will no longer curse the darkness, I will right with light.
~ Sean Thomas 