Photography is an act of resistance, in that it brings things into the light. The powers that be often deal in secrecy. Control is difficult to maintain when everything is out in the open. What is kept in the dark controls us. I’ve noticed that this is true for me on a personal level. I’ve even noticed that bringing awareness to my bad habits is enough to initiate change in my personal life. In dealing with troubling emotions or healing trauma, often acknowledging, becoming aware of, and accepting a feeling is enough to release it, or begin to transmute it.
In these modern times, cameras have become weapons of truth: ways to hold those in power accountable, ways to share information with the collective--bringing the darkness into the light. As we become aware of injustice, we move to correct it. I believe there are more empathetic humans than not. When presented with true information, as a collective we move toward healing. The controllers and manipulators that cast darkness are few compared to the empathetic, making the camera (especially in conjunction with the internet) a very powerful tool.
So bring to light everything. Bring light to the light, this only encourages. When we air out our dirty laundry, we move to correct it. Shine a light on the darker corners of our world. When exposed, the darkness loses much power. In fact, you may end up laughing about how much hold a small corner of darkness once had in your life.
When I photograph, I pay attention to my intuition to see what I am drawn towards and when to push the shutter release. With this in mind, each outcome of my practice is imbued with personal meaning. Following this intuition connects me to the forces larger than me as well, and allows me to commune with them. What is brought to light is a product of my communion with the divine. In a sense, I am a conduit for it to move through me and my practice becomes much larger than me as an individual. Anyone can have this relationship through awareness. This perspective allows a new weight to be placed on what is brought to light.
To me, photography is communion with the divine. The image capture is a communion with the external world, and the sharing of the image is communion with the external world as well. Whatever is brought to awareness, whether it is sharing a beautiful sentiment, exposing a dark truth, or just appreciating something seemingly mundane, it is an act of resistance. This consciousness breaks down antiquated power systems within and without.
