Between Darkness and Light

Post author By Steve McCurry
Post date September 30, 2016
72 Comments on Between Darkness and Light

The shadow is that place between darkness and light.

00054_09, Preah Khan, Angkor, Cambodia, 1999, CAMBODIA-10049NF. Shadow Play. Untold_book retouched_Sonny Fabbri 09/08/2015 — Preah Khan, Angkor, Cambodia

We find beauty not in the thing itself but in the patterns of shadows,
the light and the darkness, that one thing against another creates…
Were it not for shadows, there would be no beauty.
– Junichiro Tanizaki

The loveliest things in life are but shadows, and they come and go, and
change and fade away…”
– Charles Dickens

Between the idea
And the reality
Between the motion
And the act
Falls the Shadow.
– T. S. Eliot

A shadow on the wall
boughs stirred by the noonday wind
that’s enough earth
and for the eye
enough celestial participation.
– Gottfried Benn
Translated from The German by Michael Hofmann

I thought the most beautiful thing in the world must be shadow.
– Sylvia Plath

The Sun never knew how wonderful it was
until it fell on the wall of a building.
– Louis Kahn, Architect
quoted in forward of In Praise of Shadows, Junichiro Tanizaki

There’s a sunrise and a sunset every single day, and they’re
absolutely free. Don’t miss so many of them.
– Jo Walton

Shadow is the means by which bodies display their form.
The forms of bodies could not be understood in detail but for shadow.
– Leonardo da Vinci

By Steve McCurry

Steve McCurry has been one of the most iconic voices in contemporary photography for more than thirty years, with scores of magazine and book covers, over a dozen books, and countless exhibitions around the world to his name.

To read more about Steve go to www.stevemccurry.com/bio

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72 replies on “Between Darkness and Light”

I’m sure that I can’t add anything new to what has already been said, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t at least thank you for these beautiful images and lovely words. The sunrises and sunsets quote really struck me.

Reblogged this on My Book Blog.

Magnificent pictures!

Thank you, Steve. Your work is the most honest, most heart-wrenching, most true. Your technique is invisible, allowing the viewer to really, really pay attention to the subject. Your art is exquisete. I look at your photographs and my heart smiles, darkens and then meditates about the beauty you show us, without apology and the sadness I am often too afraid to acknowledge.

Your blog is amazing! Keep up the great work.

Eu adoro o seu blog, parabéns!
I just love your blog, congratulations!

Reblogged this on Oyia Brown.

Every photo speaks a 1000 words. Amazing

Photo of Kandahar so real..it takes on into what it is like to be there at this moment..Traveling photography at its finest.

you are the Master

Amazing as always, Steve!

Reblogged this on Giai01's Blog and commented:
Tớ nghĩ thích thật…. THANK….

Amazing, life, light, dark, dead…

amazing, thank you

Thanks for finally writing about >Between Darkness
and Light – Steve McCurry’s Blog <Liked it!

all your photos are great Steve, they trigger in a like painting, thank you!

Usted es un gran maestro, Mr. McCurry, las técnicas que emplee para dar magia a esas imágenes, lejos de menoscabar su arte, lo acrecientan. Gracias por toda esa magia.

Love your work Steve! I feel like I have been on a journey of wonder ..

thanks for this little, very nice moment to let me travel with you, as always i love those pictures!

Reblogged this on Oxford School of Photography and commented:
always majestic

Thanks for your lessons in life. Your pictures always teach something.

hola tiene un gran seguidor en santo domingo RD.ninguna fotografia tomada sale como el fotografo quiere siempre le falta algo

Such an inspiration. The deft play of light and shade has left me craving for more.

Such great composition and skill.

[…] via Between Darkness and Light — Steve McCurry’s Blog […]

I so enjoy your abiliy to bring the beauty of our world to us ..Ron

Respect

Shadows transform the seemingly ordinary. Thank you!

Reblogged this on amijkopstein.

As usual his posts are wonderful, beautiful, thoughtful and inspiring. Thanks for sharing your amazing talent.

What a wonderful gift to start my Sunday morning. Thank you

you inspire!

Yours is the ONLY photography blog I follow and for good reason; I never cease to be inspired by your work!

eres un maestro me inspira mucho tu trabajo gracias por compartirlo con nosotros señor Steve..

[…] via: Steve McCurry […]

Stunning

dans chacune de vos photos je découvre une histoire, parfois un livre c’est extraordinaire, la beauté est toujours présente, même dans les images les plus tristes. Elles deviendrons un jour le support de mes écrits, chaleureuses pensées, veronika

Stunning body of work…full of admiration I am .

Magnificent, each capture a gem.

[…] The shadow is that place between darkness and light. We find beauty not in the thing itself but in the patterns of shadows, the light and the darkness, that one thing against another creates… Were it not for shadows, there would be no beauty. – Junichiro Tanizaki The loveliest things in life are but shadows,… […]

No matter what you photograph they are always amazing, you are so skillful and have a great vision for photo`s

Nice images.

Wonderful & evocative pictures

Just very perfect.

Cada imagen es un poema, un mensaje, un instante maravilloso o una hermosa expresión. Mi más profunda felicitación por tu brillante obra. Saludos desde Barcelona. Jacinto.

Your photos and corresponding quotes communicate instantly to levels that stir feelings, emotions and leave impressions of pain and beauty. You know how to connect to souls using your eyes. What a gift. So glad you share.

Stunning work!

Thank you so much. Waking up with your beautiful pictures is such a treat. It inspires me to look for more beauty in the world

Simply the best

Wonderful theme and well expressed by your photos.

Extraordinary beauty and words, and moving. Bravo.

So beautiful!

Every photo, mesmerizing and taking us far beyond our daily lives! A treat!

❤️

Always breathtaking…..poetry in photography! Heartfelt thanks! Pat De Bello

I absolutely love these photos simply stunning looking at them just brings peace to my soul thank you

This man´s portrait you took in Jalabad, Afgh. is just stunning and remind some old classical school paintings & lightning (of course with less details in shadows…& all proportions guarded)
Your picts are always a great pleasure for the eyes & memory, specially those of Afgh. for me.
Thanks a lot Steve!

Agree. 8 also was strruck

It is a priviledge to be one of your followers. Thank you for sharing your work.

Magnificent shadow play, Steve.

Simply superb as usual. Thank you Stevebhai !
“When darkness falls, beauty is lit from within.”

Magnificent! We appreciate your work more with each presentation. Thank you Steve for your continual inspiration.

Reblogged this on PGS – The Way and commented:
The way Steve McCurry uss natural light is nothing short of brilliant…

B E A U T I F U L ! Thank you!

Thanks a lot. I just love you

The photo journey you take me on each time you post a series, takes me through many feelings. As a quilter, colours are my ultimate passion, but you take me through a story that at times brings me to tears, makes me smile, makes me sad, makes me happy, makes me worry, touches every emotion. Your work is truly exceptional. Thank you so much. Carolyn Griffin. Australia..