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Being Open to Surprise
Written By: Donna Rhodes | Issue: 2016/07 - July | Photograph By: Peter Ray
Gifted amateur photographer Peter Ray found his calling and his home in Highlands.
He says, “I love living here. I have not wanted to travel a lot because there is no end to exciting images to see and photograph all around me. Every day presents its own visual gift.”
And with a name like Ray, light – both earthly and spiritual – is central to his being. He’s been involved in a lot of ventures, vocationally and charitably, including campus ministry/counseling.
When asked how photography and spirituality connect, he says, “I don’t fully understand the synchronicity. Being aware of the beauty of the world, its permanence and fragility, there’s a sense of awe about how fast things (light) change. From the atom to the cosmos, the universe is in constant motion. That movement affects us at every turn. How we make sense of it all poses big questions.”
His personal answer is to make nature’s fleeting moments stand still on photo-canvas. He especially enjoys documenting water (falling or still) and flowers, but he also photographs landscapes, mountains, valleys, foggy vistas, and other environmental spaces. His images are dramatic as the light and shadow alter their mood and visual effect. He believes emotional responses to his images can help viewers access their innermost feelings.
Ray’s mother dabbled in photography, too. One of his favorite images is of his 80-year old mom, tummy-down on the floor with a camera in her hands taking photos of wildflowers. Even though he felt her influence, it wasn’t until he was 70 that he realized he had an artist’s eye.
“It’s nice to discover I still have some surprises in myself,” he says.
Ray generously shares his images on Facebook, copyright-free for those who want to enjoy them. It’s his way of making the world a little happier, brighter, more beautiful, and more accessible. For more info, contact him at (828) 787-1463 or [email protected].
