Light is essential to the photographer’s art, revealing the world in ever-changing configurations. Light draws the forms on the film and sets the shadows dancing in the frame.
Italian light is especially bold and assertive, taking charge of the photographer’s “canvas” and challenging him to discover and order what is before him. It can whisper or shout, glow ethereally or push its way to the front of the stage, taking command of an ongoing performance. This dance of light and shadow, both physical and compositional elements, defines space and creates moving, changing environments.
Douglas R Gilbert has found that although the physical world is ever-present it is never quite knowable. That is, there is always mystery present, drawing one to itself. Photographing it is a primary method of my exploration. The subject remains elusive and inexhaustible and has challenged Gilbert for more than 45 years. With this project Gilbert has tried to push further into mystery and make visible entry points for seeing something in a new or deeper way. Italian light has been a vehicle for Gilbert to extend the boundaries of possibility in his work as a photographer.
Italian Light is on display at the Leica Gallery in Los Angeles through January 3, 2017
