The art of photography is all about the use of light. Nothing makes a bolder

statement of any particular image but the light upon that very image. The

composition of the elements of the scene are very important, but it is the Light

that plays upon those compositional elements that determines the power or

mood of that scene. Through the years I’ve developed a feeling, "that an image

with strong composition, but mediocre lighting will be a mediocre image." The

challenge for the photographer is to compose the elements of any particular scene

and then add the "appropriate" light.

What is meant by "appropriate light? " It is not quantity of light, but rather,

QUALITY of light. It is the proper light for the image maker to express his/her

feelings of the scene in their viewfinder. The delicate nature of a flower’s petals

may be expressed by using "soft diffused" light, which will give the viewer a sense

of peace and tranquility. The image maker can then change that mood and perhaps

 "back-light" that same flower and create a vibrant, lively flower scene that

excites the viewer. Two different applications of light and two different moods are

created.

A few years ago, on my fifth trip to Zion National Park, Utah, I had a wonderful

experience only moments after entering this National treasure. The

drive up from las Vegas was in pouring rain. The conditions were dismal, even

as I drove into Springdale, the town on the edge of one of the most spectacular

parks in the country. Dark, charcoal clouds obscured everything. But I decided

to drive into Zion and scout around for potential scenes. It was 5 P.M.

On the edge of the park is a monolith of red sandstone called "The Watchman."

I had photographed this formation a few times on previous trips here and I was

never too impressed with my results. The formation is very dramatic and dominates

the entrance to the canyon, but somehow I never achieved anything that

truly conveyed this feeling of awesome power.

Just as I was about to enter the park, the downpour turned into a deluge. Unable to

see, I was forced to pull over and sit it out. In a matter of minutes, the rain stopped.

Suddenly, there was a break in the clouds off in the western sky and

the setting sun pierced the charcoal curtain and beamed a shaft of golden light onto

"The Watchman." Wow!

In seconds my camera, mounted on the tripod was clicking away. But, the best was

yet to come. A few moments later an arching rainbow formed right above

the cliffs. THIS WAS IT! The rainbow intensified and became a beautiful frame for

this towering cliff. The light was truly magical. The setting sun bathed the cliffs

in side-lighting bringing out dramatic shadows, while the rainbow actually became

a design element that neatly framed the scene. To this day, it has been one of my

most memorable encounters with natural light.