Today, we're getting back to the basics of photography: light and shadow. Forget the gear, the software, and the filters—at its core, a great photo is a dance between these two fundamental elements. As I always say, it’s all about “light and the absence of light.”

Light reveals and shadow defines. Every stunning portrait, breathtaking landscape, and candid street shot begins with this balance. Light illuminates an object's colours and textures, while shadow gives it form, depth, and three-dimensionality. Without shadows, our visual world would be flat and lacking detail. Together, they create mood and emotion.

Modern digital cameras are incredible, with their ability to record detail in even low-contrast, flat light. This advanced technology allows us to capture stunning images in once impossible conditions, making it easier than ever to create compelling visual art. It's a testament to how far we've come since I first dreamed of being a National Geographic photographer before my 16th birthday. For more than four decades, photography has been a part of my everyday life.

Recently, the power of these fundamentals was on full display in a shot I captured of an Atlantic puffin. The bird sat perfectly still on the glass-like water of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, its form in beautiful contrast to the stark, foggy backdrop. Stripped of colour and shrouded in a dreamy haze, the image proves that the most captivating stories are sometimes told with nothing but a subject, the mood created by light and shadow, and the absence of colour.

Photography is more than just a button click. It's an art, a craft, a tool for storytelling, a passionate hobby, and a rewarding career. On this day, let’s appreciate the power of an image to freeze a moment in time, tell a story without words, and connect us all.

Kudos from Facebook:

“I had the best time on this trip (Deluxe Atlantic Puffins Galore Workshop Aug. 2025) He is an excellent, knowledgeable photographer. Chris knows where to go for the best angles and light.

I had some food issues and the 2 women there were so fantastic and friendly it made the experience so much better than some other places I have been to.

I have picked up some really great tips that helped with birds in flight. I have never seen so many puffins in 1 place it was incredible. The best were when they flew in with fish in their mouth OMG. I’m still going through thousands of pictures that I can’t believe I got. This trip is a must if you love puffins. Just go you won’t be sorry”

Thank you Chris - Francine Dollinger Thornton | CO | USA