"Eyes" by Mary Ann Melton, from her series: Images of Mystery and Wonder.
A few years ago I had an idea for a project to photograph locations known as spiritual vortexes, described here by Shirley MacLaine. When I was working on the proposal, I had difficultly finding examples of the type of photography I was envisioning.
There was a considerable amount of aura photography, most often done at parties with Polaroids. Here is a Google Image page of what those look like.
Once compact digital cameras became mainstream, I saw a rise in Orb photography. I met a woman who has traveled the world stopping in many sacred sites to photograph Orbs. She claimed you can’t catch the Orbs unless it is nighttime and you are silly-happy. Her pictures were interesting but more personal and depicted those in her group as they drummed and danced. She said “pro” cameras can’t see the Orbs. Other schools of thought on Orbs claim the opposite. I have seen success shooting Orbs with all types of cameras.
Then there are the ghost photos posted on the “world’s largest” ghost photo website, but this type of imagery isn’t exactly what I had in mind either!
At last I am seeing a few portfolios with better attempts to shoot phenomena. I am delighted by the work of photographer Mary Ann Melton in her ongoing series, “Images of Mystery and Wonder.” Mary Ann’s images are taking a leap into a dimension that I have read about extensively. For example, consider this discourse on “seeing” light from the dictated portions of the Lectures of Rudolf Hermann Lotze (1817-1881)*:
Q: We object to the faculty of sense that it shows us colors and tones which exist nowhere outside ourselves, but are only affections of ourselves: it is therefore constantly deceiving us; for the waves of light and sound which constitute what is truly objective, it does not permit us to see.
A: Such is undoubtedly the state of the case, but color and sound are no worse, because they are simply our sensations. The rather do they constitute the precise purpose which external nature meant to reach with its waves of ether and of air. It could not accomplish this, however, of itself alone; but for its fulfilment had rather an absolute need of spirit, in order that the latter might realize in its own state of sensation the beauty of shimmering light and ringing sound.
Yes, the need of spirit in photography. To my mind, it’s a key element of all great imagery. This doesn’t necessarily mean the shooter must be religious or have faith. It’s our attempt to prove the unique and undeniable “spark” in all matter. We know our eyes can see more than film or sensors. But when the otherwise invisible light can be realized outside of ourselves and recorded as evident within the subject itself, that is the challenge of photography.
*Outlines of Metaphysic. Translated and Edited by George Trumbull Ladd, Professor of Philosophy in Yale College. Boston: Ginn & Company, 1904.
