The Mindful Photographer

Of Time and Light

Oceano Dunes #82, California, 2019, David Ulrich

In winter, the light hibernates. In summer, it blazes forth with radiant intensity. In fall, the light clarifies the very atmosphere through which it passes. In spring, light births again and all creatures, big and small, rejoice. Light recounts the passing of time and narrates the dependable and steady movement of the sun and planets and moon. Day and night, clouds and sun, rain and wind, and now, sadly, pollution and purity give vastly different possibilities to the photographer’s palate.

I often refer to midday sunlight in Hawai‘i as the “noonday demon.” Sharp light with ...