A Light in the Heart
“Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart.” 
~ Kahlil Gibran

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One of the things I love about creating abstract ICM (intentional camera movement) images is the way I'm able to capture the essence of a scene more than the literal form of the scene.  This work has become a deep passion for me, and my hope is that it encourages and inspires people to transform the way they 'see' the world...to find the light within the heart that illuminates the beauty in all things.

The work I do really is about getting to the heart of things, beneath the surface appearances of literal form.  What I hope more than anything is that my images will ask the viewer to look more deeply, not just at the scene or the landscape, but also more deeply within themselves -- to feel something more, to connect more, and to lift their spirits to a higher plane.     

This is another abstract sunset along the Mississippi River from a couple weeks ago.  I view the work I do as more than just photography.  I see it as a creative process, as an artistic expression of who I am.  Some of the things I love about the artistry of this particular image are the vibrant colors, the curvature of the horizon line, the way the yellow light from the fading sun peaks just above the red horizon, and the contrast between the highlights and shadows.  

I've had a long-held love of abstract art, and one of the artists I admire for this kind of work is the abstract painter Mark Rothko.  The creative work I do is informed by artists like Rothko, not just from an abstract expressionist perspective, but also from his attempts to address the spiritual in art through art...something I also aspire to do with my own artistry.  More of Rothko's work can be seen here - Mark Rothko.

I've been trying to do some different things during my the last few outings, to shoot more directly into the light to capture the sun just before or just after it dips below the horizon. That, along with different movements to create some different effects, and I'm really loving the unique results.  I hope you are enjoying them, as well.

If you'd like to learn more about the intentional camera movement technique I use, as well as more of my thoughts about the creative process, I offer a 45-minute video tutorial on my YouTube channel here - Landscapes Reimagined ICM Tutorial.

I also offer a free pdf download of the tutorial by signing up for the mailing list on my website here - StephJohnPhoto.

I'd love to hear your thoughts about the work I do, or about art and the creative process in general, so please feel free to leave a comment below.  I believe art and photography should be a collaborative process of meaningful exchange and sharing.  My philosophy is that we, as a collective group of artists and photographers, are all made better by the sharing of ideas, processes, and techniques.  

Please also feel free to spread the love by sharing this page link if you think others might appreciate and enjoy the work or the musings.  I will happily do the same for you, given the opportunity. 
 

To purchase a print of this image, click here - A Light in the Heart - for print sizing/pricing information, as well as how to order.