It was getting too dark to continue shooting, so I turned to the moon above me, as I often do. This photo was originally an in camera double exposure of the moon and a globe-like street light. I enjoy the in camera double exposure technique because it can introduce an interesting, random element to the creative process. When I got home and opened the photo in Lightroom, I liked it, but it was somehow incomplete. I’d recently been playing around with very simple “drawing” on photos and thought this might be a good one to practice with.
As I started to draw what came to mind was the moon’s symbolic connection to the feminine. An image of The Venus of Willendorf flashed in my mind. I thought about how unfortunate it is that we don’t view bodies as sacred in this culture. What is so often fixated on is the exterior, what needs changing, how we can make our bodies look better to others, and the often underlying, accompanying idea (to my mind) that we are somehow separate from nature, instead of an inseparable part of it.
“You are not in the Universe, you are the Universe, an intrinsic part of it. Ultimately you are not a person, but a focal point where the Universe is becoming conscious of itself. What an amazing miracle.” – Eckhart Tolle
I am beginning to believe that our bodies are both inherently spiritual and inherently worthy, deserving of care and reverence, a valuable part of the Whole. Perhaps by learning to see my own reflection in the mirror in this new (moon) light, I be can become kinder and more tender with this vulnerable, impermanent human body.
What do you think are the TWO most impactful features that make your image a good photograph? Don’t be shy!
I would say it’s the blue tones, and the mystery of the figure/moon.
If you would be able to make this photo once again, what would be the ONE thing you would like to do better or different?
Nothing different.
Sarah Thomson shared this photograph in the FRAMES Facebook Group.
Photographer
Sarah Thomson, Marin County, CA, United Sates
Equipment and settings
Canon 80D + Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6
1/200 sec., f/7, ISO 100
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alison williams
February 21, 2022 at 00:56
this photograph has a mystical feel: capturing the mystery of the moon and the human body as one. Beautiful and so creative!
sarah
March 26, 2025 at 03:00
Thank you Alison.