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05/31/2003 02:47:15 PM · #1 |
"The world is charged with the grandeur of God..." (Gerard Manley Hopkins)
The photographer I'd like to highlight this week is one which poet and priest Hopkins would have enjoyed immensely. She is a deeply religious woman, and her spirituality is manifest in her photography. With her interpretation of nature and the world, I think she would lead us to look heavenward, even if her photographs are taken, sometimes, looking down at a flower. I'm speaking of none other than Sonifo.
Here is her site profile:
//www.dpchallenge.com/profile.php?USER_ID=714
She seems to have a special style of using light that bespeaks a feeling that deep down, the world is pure, or can be, because it was made pure by God himself. No wonder her flower shots often have the pure white background that first brings our focus to the photographic subject, but then brings that slight bit of focus back on itself, like in this photo:
//www.dpchallenge.com/image.php?IMAGE_ID=14141
To Sonja, light can be color, too. I think she well understands that color is actually light, or frequencies of light bouncing off of things, for it seems she does not take pictures of things, but rather the light bouncing off of things, as can also be seen in the photo above and in many similar images of hers.
Above all, Sonja seems to want us to see the ideal that can be found all around us. Her studio shots certainly bring out the best and the ideal in the subjects she photographs, but note how this outdoor shot suggests that even though it may be cold, and snow may be blowing, this is a pleasant place to be; there is beauty to be enjoyed here:
//www.dpchallenge.com/image.php?IMAGE_ID=17211
In most of Sonja's photographs, there is an indication that what she presents continues beyond the frame and into the world. We simply have to look around us to find it. In this photo, for instance, the open window invites us to believe the emotions of love and joy and tenderness found in the photo are available to others outside that space:
//www.dpchallenge.com/image.php?IMAGE_ID=17253
Go explore her work, and learn about clarity of communication when it comes to personal philosophy. For me, I have found in Sonja's work that "for all this, nature is never spent;/There lives the dearest freshness deep down things..."
Previous Profiles:
//www.dpchallenge.com/forum.php?action=read&FORUM_THREAD_ID=25693
//www.dpchallenge.com/forum.php?action=read&FORUM_THREAD_ID=24573
//www.dpchallenge.com/forum.php?action=read&FORUM_THREAD_ID=22655
//www.dpchallenge.com/forum.php?action=read&FORUM_THREAD_ID=23282
(If you are wondering, I select photographers for these profiles based on whether I, usually recently, learned something from them. I consider them mentors, and hope to be as skilled as they are some day!) |
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05/31/2003 02:48:38 PM · #2 |
Here is Hopkins' full poem, if you are interested. If you're not, then I'm probably playing professor again and I apologize!
God's Grandeur
by Gerard Manley Hopkins
The world is charged with the grandeur of God.
 It will flame out, like shining from shook foil;
 It gathers to a greatness, like the ooze of oil
Crushed. Why do men then now not reck his rod?
Generations have trod, have trod, have trod;
 And all is seared with trade; bleared, smeared with toil;
 And wears man's smudge |&| shares man's smell: the soil
Is bare now, nor can foot feel, being shod.
And for all this, nature is never spent;
 There lives the dearest freshness deep down things;
And though the last lights off the black West went
 Oh, morning, at the brown brink eastward, springs --
Because the Holy Ghost over the bent
 World broods with warm breast & with ah! bright wings. |
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05/31/2003 04:04:33 PM · #3 |
Nice selection, as always. Sonifo is also the first person to buy one of my prints! :-D So double yay! haha
I like looking at Sonifo's work - yesterday she was in DPC Fanatics' Chat and we were talking about her silhouettes. They are amazing but she "is running out of subjects for them." :) I hope she continues to take more!
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06/01/2003 10:18:39 AM · #4 |
A couple of my fav's from Sonja's portfolio:
//www.dpchallenge.com/image.php?IMAGE_ID=18675
//www.dpchallenge.com/image.php?IMAGE_ID=17698
Those sunset/silhouette shots really are stunning, I hope to see more too : )
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06/01/2003 11:18:56 AM · #5 |
I always enjoy seeing which photograph in a challenge is Sonifo's.
Among my favorites of my favorites, is this image Future Ballerinas for which I wrote during the challenge "beautiful! awesome lighting. even tones. look how the girl on the far left is looking into the photo... further enhancing the eye's lead in along the rail and wall. skip - skip - skip along the line of girls whose heads and toes further lead you to the last little girl on the end.. who looks like she has to pee! LOL how darling! what a moment! beautifully captured!"
I also enjoy her silouettes, however, this one is particularly inspiring Warm Prairie Wind. This image speaks of exhilarated freedom.
Nice work Sonja! I look forward to seeing more.
Great spotlight, David! |
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06/01/2003 12:07:25 PM · #6 |
Wow! Thanks! I don't know what to say, but thanks. If it wasn't for dpc and all of the voters I wouldn't be where I am at today.
I thank my mom and dad. They have been very supportive. I especially thank my husband, he has stood by me through the tough times. God has blessed me with the eye to see a good photograph.
God bless you all. I hope to continue to please you. hehehehe....lol..I tend to get silly when the spotlights on me.
Thanks again, everyone!
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06/01/2003 12:09:34 PM · #7 |
HAHA Nice post!
David - I think you've created an awards show. I am working on my speech now!
"And I'd like to thank the Academy..." ;)
M
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06/01/2003 12:53:23 PM · #8 |
I think David's putting together a pretty good portfolio for a job as an art critic. I think these essays help give one a better idea of how to look a photos both individually, and within the context of the photographer's other photos.
BTW--for "fun" I generated a PDF version of the review, making it possible to view off-line or put it on a CD or email it. This first version has the background messed up a bit, I have to tweak the capture settings. Send me an email if you want a copy... |
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06/01/2003 09:22:23 PM · #9 |
Way to go, MOM!!!
You are so cool and so are your photos. I am soooo proud of you!!!!
I love you,
Zac(your son)duh!
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06/01/2003 09:28:03 PM · #10 |
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06/01/2003 09:47:02 PM · #11 |
Wow! What a lovely write-up on Sonja!
I've learned a lot from Sonja during the past several months and she's an awesome lady and it's so nice to know that she's a fellow Christian. That means we're sisters!
Great comments from Zac too!
Thanks David for choosing Sonja to write about. She's a great photographer! And it's so nice to know that she's so fond of her little family too! I am proud to say that Sonja is my friend!
Pat
Message edited by author 2003-06-01 21:48:15. |
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06/01/2003 09:55:28 PM · #12 |
Woohoo sonifo!!!
(And duh to me for not realizing Bronco Fan was Zac) hahah
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06/04/2003 05:56:38 PM · #13 |
Thanks Pat, Karmat and Zachery!
Pat I am very proud to have you as my friend too. I have so much fun on //www.christianphotographers.com with the whole bunch there.
Yes #1 Bronco Fan is my son and so is T-bone. They are really getting into this photography thing with me. I just wish I had the opportunity at their age.
Thanks again David for noticing me.
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