Saturday, October 29, 2011

Shadow, Shadow On the Wall...

It's an obsession. It's an indulgence.



This obsession and indulgence to light and shadows-the affinity and acuity that I have for it might seem slightly disturbing to those who never take notice of these details of every day life. But, the hunt is rewarding, and here in NM, all too easy a hunt, it seems. But, I think having an acuity for it is what makes it seem so easy.
The above image was taken in the house of a fellow artist-a group of us get together once a month to critique our art and we were in the middle of a critique and I tried to be as casual as I possibly could without being disruptive (but, it's a small group of five, so how could I not be?) when I saw this shadow and quietly took my cell phone out of my purse while the conversation continued and got up and walked over to the the spot and took the picture. Went back to my seat as the conversation continued and mumbled something about how I couldn't resist such a shadow. And, light does not wait for you or anyone else. In a few minutes, this vignette was gone. And, if you think about it, this trek of light across the wall in this manner probably only occurs for perhaps several days out of the year as the sun moves it's way across the sky in an 18 year arch above the horizon. So, this path of light would not be the same from year to year.
Now, I find that to be astounding. Come on, aren't you amazed by that? Well, I am.

PAR40


Yep, even upstairs in our home office, my obsession never leaves me! This one is of a track lighting fixture-and I'm pretty sure it's a PAR40 halogen bulb. It's right above where I sit and work.

MR16


And, when I turn around to look at the other wall behind me above our stairwell, I see this shadow-a light pattern kind of shadow cast by a MR16 track lighting bulb.

Since I have SO many shadow shots, I posted more than one this week as I reviewed the inventory I have of images. Time to get them out there, eh? These three made for a related series since all three are shadows of artificial light sources.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jxzlgKjohCA/TDU-IQ79h-I/AAAAAAAABdE/aBYTrcH7Q0c/s1600/IMG_3956.JPG


"Everything that we see is a shadow cast by that which we do not see." (Martin Luther King)

Every week, a group of us from around the world post our shadow shots over at Hey Harriet. Entertain your muse and be amused by stopping by to see what others have posted! You can view all of my 2010 Shadow Shot Sunday images on my Flickr account. Click here to view them.

10 comments:

Magical Mystical Teacher said...

Oh, I absolutely share your amazement at shadows!

SHADOW SHOW

Shadows creeping through the land,
Shadows dark on every hand—
If they should begin to glow,
You had better run, you know!


© 2011 by Magical Mystical Teacher

Shadows here and here

Ralph said...

I love yours shadows! If the sun will not cooperate, light fixtures from the classic candlelight to the modern desk lamp, shadows will abound. I am always seeing shadows over the past two years, they jump at me when there was a time I paid no attention. Artistic captures are always the result!

Ms. Becky said...

shadows can be elusive so lucky you to have a store of shots! the first is my fave. happy SSS to you.

robin. said...

the shadow reflection through glass i think is one of my favorite shadows. crisp. delicate. shadows are all around...i love that we all take the time to pay attention to the small things in life.

Cassie said...

Yup! I'm amazed too. The first shot is a real specail capture!! Have a good weekend.

MyMaracas said...

The play of light and shadow is an endless fascination for me, too. And I share your wonder at how quickly a scene can change - often right before your eyes. Until we try to capture it in shadow, we really don't experience the motion of the sun - or rather, our own as the earth turns. Magical.

Kay L. Davies said...

I'm amazed, too. Fascinating, not to mention fantastic, Paula. I'm sure if the others are artists, they'd understand. That first shot is a real beauty.
The next two are very interesting, with different bulbs in different places producing their own kinds of shadows.
Bravo.

Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie’s Guide to Adventurous Travel

genie said...

Not until I started my blog a year ago did I even think of looking for and at shadows. They are amazing to me now, and I am constantly in pursuit of them. I think I would have done the same thing you did in this instance...but I might not have been so svelte as you. These are wonderful shots. genie

A Wild Thing said...

Yes, I am constantly running for my camera for those illusive shadows, turn your head and in a flash they're gone. Yesterday, just a I was rushing out the door for work, there was a wonderful shot right in front of my truck, but I was in too big of a hurry to shoot it, but today there will be clouds to obscure it...RATS!!! Always looking...have a great Sunday!!!

Chubskulit Rose said...

Your third shot is my favorite.

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