pat loughery

Right now I’m reading a bit and observing a bit about photography – not the science of it, with f-stops and focal lengths and whatnot, but the art perspective. I have a 1971 copy of a book called “The Art of Photography”, a Time-Life book, one in a series of several. You can find it on amazon for under $1, actually, though my parents when they were very serious about their photography hobby paid big bucks for them.

The first chapter of the book focuses on making a photograph from the perspective of what a camera sees. It discusses identifying visual elements: shape, texture, form, color. It provides examples and backstories. Much of the art in the book is unimpressive, but as a teaching tool, it works well.

The main idea is that the seasoned photographer considers the image to be created, examining the feeling that the image should portray. With a solid idea in mind of what the photographer is trying to portray, then she goes about the technical aspects of image creation: location, light, perspective, exposure. She may vary all of these items to produce the desired effect. A single subject can host a variety of images, and a variety of photographers will see different elements of truth and beauty to be emphasized.

The whole process reminds me of the art of spiritual formation in all its expressions: mentoring, preaching, leadership, the ministry of presence. Those of us who rush in and take a snapshot often don’t get the desired results and throw away our work as garbage. But those others who consider what could BE, what might BECOME, and choose carefully and skillfully and deliberately the elements to emphasize and those to discard – those are the real artists.

++Lord, help me to become an artist in spiritual formation – for me, and for those you ask me to serve ++