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THE LIGHT AND THE SHADOWS: We cannot take photos without light, unless we
are on the set of MGM. The delicate ability to sense and see subtle changes
in the light on a object, still life, a face, a subject, a site is part of
what makes a photograph a "photograph" and not a snap shot. The film
must receive the correct amount of light to capture and record an image.
Meager light, and the image becomes weak and lacks the needed contrast. Too
much light, and the image becomes dark and a full contrast. The art and
science is to control the light. But even controlling the light will not
necessarily makes you a good photographer. For, still, you have to have the
ability to subdue, emphasize and alter the feelings and the moods of "what you
are shooting". And even if you perfectly succeed in dealing with the light's
intensity or brightness, light meter measurements and
converting its sequences and snaps into f-stops and shutter speeds, YOU STILL
NEED to sense the inner elements and nature of the object you are shooting. I
knew mystic photographers who excelled in photography and contemporary
ultra-modern installations who believed that "even dead objects, obscure
moments, heavy rocks, solid piece of metal, a piece of wood have an inner
light we can not see with the naked eyes." Some photographers do. How? I do
not dare to elaborate on the subject.
They simply do. They see the light. Perhaps the light emanates in directions and through visionary frequencies emanating from within the object and or the inner world of the photographer. Thus photography becomes a philosophical-metaphysical experience. Even an intellectual-mental exercise. This reality is evident upon looking at the Buddha photos and Cambodian/Buddhist/ Asian temples, Conrad Olivier captured on his films. There is a sense, a definition, a flair of philosophical lyricism and intellectual-religious serenity in the work of Olivier. And Olivier's perfect mastery of and quasi-balance between the seen and unseen lights, shadows and beyond shadows produce this formidable effects and impact on us. But there is more than metrical measurements and technical adjustments of light and shadows, per se. Olivier explained perfectly: "One must discern the proper moment or be able to imagine when the proper moment of light will occur on any given subject matter. Shadows nourish the soul of the viewer with the part they may often want to see. In other words, shadows often allow the imagination to soar. " So, here we are, embarking on a journey of lights, shadows, soul, imagination, timing, etc...This is the journey, Olivier's camera took.
More photos of Conrad Olivier on the next page.