“Katherine” by Dale Sparage

As a photographer I’ve learned to pay close attention to the qualities of light, noticing the subtle details it reveals in color, form, and direction. This spring the light glows with a gentle intensity as it illuminates the birth of new growth. It brings to mind the seeds that I’ve planted within my own heart during the dark, cold seasons of past winters.

Seeds, or Sankalpa, is the Sanskrit word for intentions, or more poetically, “our heart’s desires.” Deep within I’ve been nurturing the desire to find new life, like new spring plantings, clearing my heart of barriers so I may live with greater presence.

To my delight, this spring I’ve realized some of these dreams, finding love in a new relationship, as well as blossoming with creative potential by renewing an old photo assignment into a new project.

Several years ago I was asked to do a series of photographs that documented yoga asana for Strut magazine http://www.strutmag.com . I completed the assignment, it was archived and tucked away. Recently, the owner of Karma Yoga ( http://www.karma-yoga.net ) asked if I would print and frame some of these shots to hang in the studio. As I dug into the photos, I was again inspired, realizing how yoga and photography were coming together for me.

Trained as a yoga teacher in 2003, I chose not to teach yoga but to return to the College for Creative Studies and teach Digital Photography instead. I noticed my yoga practice began to deepen after my teacher training.

Today I’m ready to begin a series of new photographs that combine yoga asana within landscape. Through my experience with yoga and photography, I’m aware that light remains constant, continuously shining, and expanding our consciousness even though at times it appears to be concealed from us. I plant the Sankalpa within my heart. I’ve learned to wait and be patient, knowing that even during challenging times…although I may not feel or see it…I know the light is there.

Cape Farewell
One place that grows darker and warmer as I write is Greenland. David Buckland came to Cranbrook http://science.cranbrook.edu/planetarium/featured/earlier this month to discuss this very fact. Speaking about the current exhibition, “Cape Farewell” curated by the artist, Buckland explained the eminent danger of climate change he’s been experiencing firsthand through expeditions to the Arctic with other artists, musicians, writers, photographers and scientists. As much as 28 percent of the ice is disappearing due to the release of carbon dioxide into the environment. Each of us creates a carbon footprint of about 22 tons carbon dioxide per year. Buckland is hoping to cause a cultural shift that will be initiated by his film and book, “Burning ICE” and the exhibitions that he and other artists are presenting around the world. More info can be found on the Cape Farewell website.