Capturing The Light

The importance of light

The literal meaning of the word 'photography' is 'drawing with light' from its Greek roots. Any photographer is keenly aware of the quality of light in the surroundings, which ultimately sets the tone and ambience of the final picture. The light also influences the colours and emotional impact of the photograph. It goes without saying that in the absence of light, there can be no photography!

When capturing sunsets, the light changes quickly and creates a spectacle most evenings in Cyprus, provided the cloud cover is not too dense. The set of photos below was taken on the same evening in Limassol, illustrating the spectrum of colours created within minutes.

The astounding beauty of nature around us inspires joy as we remember the Creator of this infinite wonder. Not only did He create the light of the universe by the word of His power, but the Bible tells us that He is Light!

God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.

1 John 1:5

When the incarnate God walked on this earth in the form of Yeshua, He said:

I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.

John 8:12

The context of John 8 highlights the significance of this statement. During the Feast of the Tabernacles, four lampstands were lit outside in the temple courts where the Lord was teaching. The lamps were extinguished at the end of the feast, at dawn the following day, which appears to coincide with the timing of this I am statement. The Lord was declaring that He would illuminate the way to God through giving His body, the temple, to be crucified for the sin of the world.
When we fully comprehend that He is the only Light of the World and receive Him as Lord and Saviour, we are filled with the Light of life. No longer are we bound by the power of darkness but are transferred ... to the kingdom of his beloved Son (Colossians 1:13).

He is the One who causes the sun to rise and set on this earth, making human life possible for the years given to us. While we depend on this created light for life and pursuits like photography, only the light of His presence and redeeming forgiveness will bring us to the Father of Lights throughout eternal ages.

I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen, not only because I see it but because by it, I see everything else.

C. S. Lewis.

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