The Role of Light and Emotion in My work

In my very first blog post, I mentioned light and emotion as the heart of my photography. That’s still true today. I’m drawn to moments of beauty shaped by natural light; those quiet, breathtaking scenes that shift with the sun.

Light affects us in profound ways. A landscape glowing at dusk can feel majestic and cinematic. The same scene, under grey skies, might feel quiet or even dull. Same place, different light but completely different emotion. That’s the magic I try to capture.

For me, light is everything. The subject or object often comes second. Over the years, I’ve realized how sensitive I am to light and how deeply it influences my mood. These days, I’m more aware of that and I let it guide how I shoot.

On cloudy days, I often photograph in black and white. There’s something about that muted palette that brings out quiet moods, sometimes even melancholy. But black and white isn’t always somber. On bright days, it can be bold and striking. Without the distraction of color, the viewer’s eye is naturally drawn to what matters most. High contrast, light and shadow; it all becomes part of the emotional message.

Of course, color has its own power. It can tell a story just as vividly. Yellow often feels joyful. Blue can feel cold or calm. I’m especially drawn to warm tones like golden, orange, and purple. Recently, I captured a tree glowing in late sunlight, its yellow leaves lit up against a dark burgundy background and soft blue sky. Pure magic.

These are the moments I look for: nature’s way of surprising us with beauty. And it’s not just out in the wild. In busy cities, light still finds its way in, slipping through alleyways, bouncing off windows, touching the smallest overlooked details. If we’re paying attention, we see it. We feel it.

That’s what photography is for me, a way to notice and hold onto these fleeting moments. A way to reflect emotion through light, and maybe help others feel it too.

After all, light is life. No wonder it speaks to us.