the sparkling fifth

Sarah Jessica Parker has said of the characters in Sex and the City: There’s not just the four of us girls. There’s a fifth, and she’s New York City, and she sparkles.

Here, there’s not just the one subject—a boy, for his first birthday—there are two. The boy and the light.

A photo is a snapshot when light is absent—there, obviously, but not playing an active role. That’s alright sometimes. For when you grab the camera to snap cookie dough on a cheek, candles on a cake.

For me, snapshots become more conscious when that special sort of light plays to my favour by chance—inches from a windowpane on a cloudy day, all diffused and wistful, or a burst of beloved flare that bounces off the water, glowing like some watchful spirit.

Specialness in light can be summoned, too, by calling it on stage: tracks on the kitchen ceiling, for instance, thrown out of focus for just what I wanted—the feel of a vintage wonder wheel, a circus, stars for my birthday boy and his spirit-brother.

I need it today. Show me light that’s conscious and manipulated, or discovered by chance, featured as that sparkling ‘fifth character’. Send some my way, will you?

Comments

[Lawyer Mama]

Here's some light for you, Kate.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2364/2466160879_ab1a169cc0_b.jpg

And happy birthday, B. And L.

[Kim]

beautiful. his brother-light shines in his eyes.

i just have a picture of cars for you
http://www.flickr.com/photos/9032846@N03/2347216426/

[tracey]

happy birthday. it's a big one for all of you.
this is for you sweet kate-
http://www.flickr.com/photos/maypapers/2467100394/

[stacelet]

Happy Birthday... many wishes of love and light to you all.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stacelet/2447042316/in/photostream/

[anna]

A bit of light your way....happy birthday to your beautiful birthday boy and his spirit brother.

[Angharad]

here is my son in some light i found one morning - note the washing getting wet while i fetched the camera! i love your picture of your son - happy birthday to him!

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1404/846902161_1a85d44df7_o.jpg

[nicky thomas]

good morning shutter sisters

"The sea rises, the light fails, lovers cling to each other, and children cling to us. The moment we cease to hold each other, the moment we break faith with one another, the sea engulfs us and the light goes out." james baldwin

I had so many good ones to show today but i've had to whittle it down.

Firstly, one for Kate - if she needs light sometimes the simple light can mean the most

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickythomasphotography/2385647007/


heres one of my favourite artificial light shots - beauty by machine

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickythomasphotography/2238108549/


and one of my favourite natural light shots - beauty by nature

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickythomasphotography/582484392/


have a lovely day ladies (and Jim)

Nicky x

ps http://www.last.fm/music/Marillion/_/Estonia
enjoy

[Marcie]

Here's a little light..dancing on the ice:
http://marciescudder.blogspot.com/2007/12/dancing-shiva.html
And here's some more..ligthing the way:
http://marciescudder.blogspot.com/2008/05/bienvenue.html

[Hay]

Some light from the sky.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/hippyhappyhay/2438024600/in/set-72157604322480552/

[camerashymomma]

light is most revealing. i see light in a new way. this one is for ben and his spirit brother who comes to play with balls of light. i'm thinking of you and sending you my light, kate.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerashymomma/2467569188/

[Shelli]

Happy Birthday, little one!

Here's a picture of my light catcher:

http://www.mamaofletters.com/Mama_of_Letters/Camera_Happy.html#30

[pooky]

Happy birthday big boy Ben. Peace and strenght to you all, Kate.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/yellowpooky/2411669090/

[mary]

Evening light can make even the most ordinary things extraordinary...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/9068078@N05/2441524993/

[Mrs. Eaves]

It's the light that brings out the details in everything...big or small.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrs-eaves/2466934689/

[Jen - Beebee Mod]

Here's one sweet Kate:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/beebeemod/2440118671/in/set-72157604678642935/

[Ginny]

Happy birthday to your sweet, beautiful boys.

Here's some light I found this weekend.

http://monkeymemories.blogspot.com/2008/05/who-knew-weeds-could-be-so-pretty.html

[lora]

Oh it's beautiful Kate.

Yesterday, I was out shopping for my son, and there was a woman in the store talking to her boy, repeating "liam, liam, liam..." throughout her conversation. I wanted to scream at her that liam was NOT allowed to be her son's name or that she could at least shut the hell up about it for the next couple of days.
Instead, I just left with tears in my eyes, thinking of and praying for you and yours. Especially today.
I love you.
Lora

[Abra]

I have a two in one for you. If you'll notice not only the pictures of the adorable moment between my husband and son but also the photo I used in my banner...both have a use of light that was both purposeful and yet not.

We all need a little focus on the "light" side of things sometimes. :) Thanks for the reminder.

http://artistryinfocus.blogspot.com/2008/05/do-you-realize.html

[cloudscome]

Happy Birthday! Here's what I saw on my lawn this morning rushing out the door. http://www.flickr.com/photos/cloudscome/2467129127/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cloudscome/2467954026/in/photostream/

[Abra]

I just want to apologize with tears glistening in my eyes. I have not read your personal blog before and did not realize your back story until after I posted my contribution and read the one above me. Please ignore my son's name and enjoy the pictures instead...I did not purposefully cause any pain on this day for you. I don't know how to delete my previous post.

[Calissa]

I have several and I'm gonna share them all! :)
I LOVE when the light is magical and unexpected, just like this first photo. I was shocked to see that despite the blurriness, I am in love with this picture because of the dreamy feel it gives off.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/marycalissa/2279755700

This one, my dog in the water, the sun was perfect.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/marycalissa/2360355936

My dog sleeping in a warm spot of sun.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/marycalissa/2454909576/

This one, I loved how the sun even reflected in the cat's ears... it made the moment that much more special.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/marycalissa/1387620359

Concentrating on a winnie-the-pooh game completely unaware of the beautiful light.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/marycalissa/2207117851/

[Mama DB]

For you, Kate.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3259/2398312551_dff1f7ff2e_b.jpg

[Kate]

Abra, please don't feel bad about your contribution today. It was so beautiful: the photos of your Liam and his dad, the globe, the lyrics. I think it was one of those gifts. I love that there are other boys out there who are thriving, those who hear the name we chose called out in good cheer and ordinary life. Just scanning through and I won't have time today to comment to everyone as I usually do, but everything's so beautiful and you all totally nailed it... such beauty. You too, Abra.

[Heather]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/strawberrygoldie/2468149262/

[Lucy]

Light and love for Kate and her loved ones.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucindasummerville/2186111434/

[kristin]

a fresh one for you kate. xo kristin

http://www.flickr.com/photos/14811117@N02/2467523713/

[Lyn]

A few for you, from one twin mommy to another. And you will always be a twin mommy -- a blessing as well as a struggle right now. My heart and prayers and strength-wishes are with you today. And as my mother would say, just breathe... one tiny breath at a time....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/11439752@N04/2466128639/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11439752@N04/2451029770/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11439752@N04/2239848562/

[Kelly]

Wishing peace to you, Kate, and much birthday joy to Ben.

Here is a favorite light shot of mine for you:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/momofthreewi/2416379684/

and a little "heavenly" light that always makes me feel I'm being bathed in warmth by loved ones I've lost, especially my mom, my very best friend:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/momofthreewi/2430742263/

[Liz G]

Light and sparkle as a backdrop for you, Kate.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lizgrandmaison/2467796515/

Peace, love & happiness to you and your family!

[Emma]

/Users/Emma/Pictures/iPhoto Library/Modified/2007/July and August 2007/IMG_3746.JPG

Here's one from an exhibit in London last summer - Blind Light.

[Emma]

ok, will try this again later when my macbook decides to behave itself!

[J]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25744047@N03/2420265172/

[katie]

Happy birthday to your boys. Sending some light your way..

http://www.rusticstains.com/goshwow/index.php?showimage=330

[psumommy]

Here's some warm, fuzzy light for you... http://psumommy.livejournal.com/114418.html

[Jen]

I think Sunrises and Sunsets are the most beautiful light ever, as if God is saying good morning and good night to us all.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jlynn28/486767570/in/set-72157603775604370/

[Trude]

I call this one "lighting on a budget" - I brought out a small oval mirror on a stand from my bathroom, and set it on the arm of the couch next to him to reflect light from my dining area. :) Still isn't that great of a shot, but I'm proud that I'm starting to consciously light things rather than just take photos, KWIM?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/trudem/2455242272/

[Kathleen]

So many beautiful pictures and sentiments...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23630286@N05/2462683938/

[Jenny Rebecca]

I'm happy with the catchlights I caught in my daughter's eyes during a quick shot I took this evening in the "golden hour".
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fanglord2/2469727534/

Peace and blessings to you.

[Lynette]

For Kate

http://www.flickr.com/photos/swampangel/2469671190/

[johanna]

hi kate, i just discovered your blog today and i must say that it's very lovely! the photos and words are beautiful.

and when i saw this post i wanted to join in on the fun too :-)
here's some light, taken near the sea:
http://blog.chocolatenostalgia.com/?p=107

[littlepurplecow]

I've been chasing that great soft light at the end of day in dark spaces lately.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlepurplecow/2469034585/

[Stephanie]

At the park one day I noticed the sun had a ring around it so I tried taking a picture. This is what I got. Some special light from above you sweet Kate. Happy Birthday B!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12497991@N08/2470172644/

[Jo]

I have always loved, just loved, how Liam's light is often present in your photographs. It isn't just perfect; it just IS.

[Molly]

In memory and joy, in light:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/acertainslantoflight/2150994208/in/set-72157604713272685/

[Naomi]

My sparkling fifth:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nomesthenome/2419890349/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nomesthenome/2342093779/

[patricia]

i expected this shot to be overexposed because i aimed the holga right at it,surprisingly this came out. everyday is a new day,:)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/patreesya/2419854751/

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