Chakra Week 4

I was visiting my friend Maddy who works at Chakra, the indian restaurant the the UTC and noticed how elaborate their liquor display was. The entire restaurant is dimly lit, to a very specific level, which I found out is quite challenging to perfect because Maddy has had to go through training just to light the restaurant in the right way. Looking at the liquor display I was confused as to what the effect of the lighting was supposed to be. The dramatic light has a swanky feel that I would associate with upscale restaurants and bars, but ones that are trying to have a hip appeal, perhaps to a younger crowd. I am finding it hard to articulate the feeling I get from this and I think that has to do with the exclusive feel of it, as if I am not quite cool enough to understand the appeal of this sort of quality. It is really interesting to me that I feel stuck when trying to describe this type of lighting. Makes me think I should see more.

Ho'okipa Sunset Week 3

After our conversation about maui I missed it and went looking at my maui pictures. Here I find it interesting how the light in the sky's wash with the yellow fading into blue contrasts the dark and complicated textures in the clouds, island, and ocean. I can look at the image and have a different feeling about it depending on the spot that catches my eye. The part where a lot of the bright yellow light comes through feels dramatic but light and pretty, whereas the section with the chopped up clouds has a dark excitement, and underneath it all the oceans shadows give a steady but powerful feel. I've always loved the way the ocean looks during a sunset, because it reveals all the little movements in it. Yet at dusk it feels like a very still and silent time of the day, then the world almost accelerates as different colors splash the sky and then disappear. The way cameras capture sunsets is interesting too. The one with me and friends has all the light and color blending, giving a much softer look, whereas the others are more dramatic and striking. Sunsets on Maui have always made me feel small, probably because of the big statement they make. These images remind me of what you said about the things we can't see become more dynamic and interesting as the mountains conceal the rest of the sunset.

another one...

After publishing my post I was reminded of this photograph I took a year ago in some ruins in Andalucia, Spain. I like the way the light comes into the dark empty room and only catches part of the textured beams, on the ceiling showing the subtle grooves and cuts in the wood. The shape and depth of the window made me think of your comments on how the body of the light fixtures play a part in directing light. I like the multiple frames and their different shades. The wall becomes slightly illuminated creating a beautiful dark texture.

Week 2: Dining room corner

dining room, 4/1/11 8:35 am. While this is not a beautiful photograph, I wanted to capture the image of our dining room table in our apartment as the morning light greets it. A similar effect occurs on the bottom of my bed in the mornings and always fills me with a sense of peace and welcoming as these long patches of light extend into the darkened room from the window. From the dining room window I am able to see different ways the morning light is allowed to come through, one side through the trees outside, then blinds and then viewed through the bars on the chair. On the other side more light comes through and seems to burn up the left side of the windowsill. I am interested in the different angles the lines and patterns make in the window, on the table, and also in the reflection on the glass of the framed poster on the wall. I think what I find most beautiful about these moments is how different spots of light seem to sparkle as others are softened or are blocked. I often find that in images where there is high contrast and silhouette I am intrigued by what is seen and not seen. I am amazed by how much information this window asks me to take in so early in the morning.