Pilgrim's Journey


There's something holy about this work,
something healing about this search for the light.
Like the pilgrim's journey, it's heaven all the way.
- Jan Phillips

"Light and Shadow." Copyright 2009. Meri Arnett-Kremian



There are those who think
that each photographer fascinated
with the perfect dancing light
is actually capturing
her own reflected light.

I think we cannot help
but capture a piece of ourselves
when we make time stand still
for a fraction of a second
through photography.

If we take a piece of someone's soul
when we capture an image,
we give in return
a piece of our soul,
a trace of ourselves
to keep the subject's soul company,
unseen
but present
in the visual record.

"Making Bouquets" coprright 2009 Meri Arnett-Kremian


The piece we leave behind
may be enigmatic, hard to decipher.
It may whisper, not shout,
wanting to keep the focus
on the outer realm.

But in our pilgrim's journey,
we show our souls
every step of the way.

We reveal ourselves
by what by what we focus on,
what takes our breath away,
what makes us say,
"This is a holy moment."

What do your photographs say
about you?

Comments

Anonymous said…
wow, i never thought about it like that. you have a wonderful way with words, Meri.
MJ said…
Your thoughts are similar to those of First Nations who, historically, opposed having photos taken of them as they felt their souls were being taken. This is why many First Nations spiritual ceremonies are rarely photographed.

What do my photos reflect? Sadly, my finger and often blurred images. I fear that says something about me!!
poefusion said…
Excellent poem. I related instantly to this post because I went out today to take some pictures. I had never thought about leaving something of myself behind but, now I will forever recall this post. Thanks for sharing. Have a nice night.
Susan Tuttle said…
i absolutely adore this poetic view of photography -- sincerely beautiful:)
Delwyn said…
Meri
somehow I missed these holy moments...

I agree that we leave our mark, albeit sometimes invisible, but discernable on our creations.
Not just in the subject matter, but the angles, what we include, what we leave out, what we focus on, the symmetry or lack of it, the balance, the contradictions....
and what fascinates me is when I put the images on the computer and enlarge them they can be quite different to what I thought I saw through the lens and often include something ELSE...lovely mystery and unconscious workings....

In counselling I used projection methods with sandtray symbols and imagery and what emerged from those sessions was like magic and often felt like a miracle insight for the clients.

a great topic thanks Meri
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