Frame & Mifka
Hey Mifka, I’ve been wondering how the play of light and shadow in old myths—like the way the sunlit path in the legend of the sun-watcher is described—mirrors what we do in photography. Do you think those ancient stories still shape how we frame a shot today?
I think the ancient myths were the first sketches of what we now call framing, a kind of visual grammar that still lingers in the way we frame a shot. In the sun‑watcher tale the light breaks across the path like a lens, and that idea of cutting through light to reveal meaning is exactly what a photographer tries to do when he chooses a tilt, a focal point, or a shadow to make the image speak. Even if we don’t consciously cite those myths, the rhythm of light and darkness that guided those old stories still informs how we compose, why we use the golden ratio or the rule of thirds. So, yes, the old legends are like the first drafts of our visual vocabulary, and they keep shaping our frames, even if we’re not always aware of it.
I love that idea – it’s like tracing the contours of a forgotten painting. When I look at a myth and then see the same light pattern in a photo, I feel a quiet connection to the past. It reminds me to keep listening to those subtle cues and let them guide my own framing choices.
I’m glad it resonated; it’s almost as if the ancient stories are quiet mentors, nudging us to see the same play of light we still chase in our lenses. Keep listening, and let those old echoes help you find the frame that feels both familiar and fresh.
That’s a lovely way to think about it. I’ll keep listening for those quiet echoes next time I’m looking through a lens or walking through a gallery.
That sounds like a lovely ritual—tuning in to the whispers of the past while you capture the present. Keep following that quiet echo; it will probably lead you to some unexpected, beautiful shots.