red is ready for its closeup

March 15, 2026 • 6 Comments

Writers, artists, and creators of every ilk have what I would call source material - whether it is an absolutely wild dream or something imagined, elements of nature, media, or a fellow artist or someone who might be thought of as a muse - we all look to our surroundings for inspiration and ideas. My father had what they used to call in the newspaper business "a morgue". It was a huge file of clippings that provided his inspiration.

John Steinbeck wrote: "Ideas are like rabbits. You get a couple and learn how to handle them, and pretty soon you have a dozen of them". I would add that eventually, you also have to control them or chaos ensues!

As a photographer and one who deeply appreciates the visual image, I, inadvertently, turn to every magazine I love, and always see a photograph or two or three that captures my attention. The subject matter isn't particularly an issue. It is the image itself, the subject matter, how it is set up, the light, etc., that churns in my brain. In addition to a number of food, wine, gardening and nature magazines, product catalogs, or newspapers in hard copy or online that I regularly read, there are photography and writing publications, as well as online sources. One of which is Shadow and Light Magazine: The Art of Photography. The quality of the photography therein - including traditional black and white photography as well as color and alternative processes - is stunning and the magazine itself beautifully curated. Quite frankly, I like to see what other photographers are doing. Not all trends appeal to me but it is still good to know how people are pursuing and structuring their work.

One of the issues of Shadow and Light I particularly enjoy is titled Color It Red . Printed once a year, it includes juried images from photographers world-wide. I submitted ten photographs this year. Five of the ten that featured the color red but were not selected are included here. I consider myself fortunate to have the remaining five appear in a mini-portfolio of my work included in the 2026 issue.

"Vise"

vise vise

"Water kettle"

water kettle

"McLean Tartan"

McLean tartan

"Black braid on red"

Indian Market Santa Fe 9 2025

"Hawthorn tree"

My thanks to Karren, Victoria, Kay, Jean & Sam, Jim & Louise, TTT, and Steve for writing about last week's blog.

If you are interested in following Shadow and Light Magazine online, it is quite reasonable at $10 annually, and hard copies are available on demand. Click on the link below for additional information.

https://shadowandlightmagazine.com/purchases/subscriptions/

May both cool and warm March winds bring many an idea to spark your creativity!

until next Monday,

a passion for the image©

Keywords: blacks crossing photography, daryl a. black, hawthorne tree, nature, new mexico, photography, still life

Comments

Fred Barraza(non-registered)

Nice! Red can be pretty cool. I like how even a hint of red can stand out and make something interesting. It’s a stimulating color.

Fred Barraza(non-registered)

Nice! Red can be pretty cool. I like how even a hint of red can stand out and make something interesting. It’s a stimulating color.

Sara Woodburn(non-registered)

congratulations!!
my personal favorites are the flame red vice and
Fred pensively wearing that tartan
xxxooo
Sara

Steve Immel(non-registered)

If these are the ones that weren't included in the issue, I can't wait to see the ones that did. They're fabulous! I didn't even know the issue had published. I submitted, too, and hope I made the cut. "Color it Red" is outside my wheelhouse so it's something of an adventure to do something different.

My favorites are the Hawthorne Tree, Fred's McLean tartan and the tea kettle. Tell Fred he's got great hair.

Connie Taylor(non-registered)

I collect red, I see red, I have dyed 102 versions of red, I love red and am aware of its universal appeal across most cultures. You represent it well and Sam would have the red vice image proudly on his studio wall.

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