---BLOG-HEADER.png){kind=logo}
On a deeper level, however, I find it fascinating that when we press the shutter of a camera to take a portrait (or a landscape shot, or anything else that one might take a picture of), we're not actually capturing the person or object(s) that we see through the viewfinder. The reality is, we're capturing the light that's being reflected from that person or object. If you can imagine an actor standing on a large stage with a single spotlight on him and you were to take a picture, your photo would consist of whatever light was being reflected back toward the camera in that moment. If the actor were to take a few steps back so that he was in a totally dark portion of the stage, then you wouldn't see him at all in the resulting photo, because he wouldn't be reflecting any light back toward you. He's still there, of course, but the camera simply doesn't "see" him.
So the point I'm trying to make here is that, from the camera's perspective, if your subject isn't being illuminated by some light source, then all that can be seen is total darkness. And here's the kicker........it occurred to me the other day while I was on my morning jog (which, incidentally is where I do the majority of my "deep" thinking) that this relationship is profoundly similar to that of humanity and God. Now, bear with me here....and strap on your thinking caps, 'cause we're goin' in.
The idea is this: when it comes to "us" and "God", if we aren't being illuminated by some light source (I personally believe this to be Jesus), then we're pretty much in total darkness from His perspective. In other words, without Christ, you and I would never show up as glowing blips on God's radar screen. On the other hand, if you are a believer, then all God sees when He looks at you is the beautiful and perfect light of His Son being reflected back.
Maybe this is somewhat of a strained analogy, or maybe there's a little nugget of truth to be found somewhere in all of this. Or maybe you think I've just gone completely bananas comparing the photographic process to man's cosmic juxtaposition with God!
Well, take care, everyone, and have a very happy and blessed New Year!
Posts
4 comments:
Russ...this is profound. It is another way of making sense of something out of our immediate senses. For the lost photographers out there, this just may be the way for them to see 'the light' and to plant a seed in their lives. Great job!
Thanks, Trish-- that is my hope. If just one photographer reads this and it makes some kind of impact on him/her, then it was well worth it.
I was surprised to see that this article was not a hot bed of comments. Personally I am quite impressed with your witnessing for Christ. At times I think that the simple act of taking snapping the shutter and then showing a picture is witnessing to God, for He created all things. If we think of every photo that we take as being a witness, it might humble us just a bit :)
Wray-
Thanks for the feedback! You're absolutely right about the true Creator of all the things we photograph, and I really like your perspective on photos being a witness in and of themselves. Honestly, I did expect this post to generate a few more comments, but my readership isn't quite where it needs to be to foster active discussion. So I'm working to change that. Anyway, thanks again for the comment, and Go(d) Bless!
-Russ
Post a Comment