With great enthusiasm, genuine joy, and a strong sense of curiosity, I am starting a new project today!
It is an idea that has been quietly growing in my mind for some time. Only now has it taken its final shape. I know what it is and how I want to develop it. The materials are ready, and I can finally begin.
Before I tell you more about the project itself, I need to start with this photograph, which will be the focus of the project. This part is essential for understanding the entire concept. Very soon, everything will come together logically — from the general idea to the details.
The photograph is titled “Hope and Freedom.”
It belongs to the “Hope” collection and was created especially for the International Exhibition FREEDOM, which took place during an artistic residency I recently had the pleasure of participating in. The residency and the exhibition were held at the Royal Blue VA Gallery in Stockholm.
This work is my personal interpretation of the exhibition’s main theme. It expresses freedom through the act of creation itself.
If we begin to analyze this photograph, we quickly notice that many classical rules of art are absent.
The main subject is not centered. The rule of thirds is not applied…. There are no strong focal points in the traditional sense.
And here… a meaningful pause.
What if I asked you a question from my other field of interest — psychology and personal development:
How would your perception of this photograph change if I told you that I simply photographed… light?
Exactly.
In this image, I photographed light — and joy, playfulness, and pure fun.
I created it intuitively, without control, expectations, and without following rules. It was about enjoyment and freedom throughout the entire process — from going out for a walk to post-production.
I noticed the light and I pressed the shutter.
That is what freedom in creation means to me.
I photographed those light flares purely for fun and pleasure.
Light is something I photograph often – if not always. But that is a topic for another time.
For me,
Light is associated only with positive meaning.
Culturally and socially, we are taught to perceive light as something good. We say ‘to shed light on a matter’ or ‘in the light of this’. We use the symbol of a warm home fire.
Our ancestors – the first humans – used light as protection against predators and danger. In a way, this association is written into our genes.
From an existential and philosophical perspective, light represents direction. There is light at the end of the tunnel. Even the Renaissance is understood as an era of illumination, growth, and a new beginning.
And finally, in a spiritual and religious context, light symbolizes God , a Higher Power:
“I am the light of the world” (John 8:12).
For me personally, light is also a symbol of the inner spark we all carry within. The one worth remembering, the one worth appreciating, the one worth following – because when we do, it shines even brighter.
To sum it up:
Light is goodness, truth, faith, hope, and wonder.
I believe we all instinctively feel that light is good.
We turn our faces toward the sun – and our soul recognizes it immediately.
…and this is exactly the light I want to highlight in my project.
Have a great day!
/ Joanna
