Inspired by the masters

I recently listened to a podcast while I was out walking the dog. It's something I do now and then. Not because I find it boring to walk with the dog. We have fun together. But just because I felt the need for a little inspiration.

Elisabeth Ohlsson was being interviewed, and the topic was lighting. Elisabeth is a Swedish photographer, artist, and theater director. As a photographer, she has made her mark in the history of photography through both exquisite portraits and controversial exhibitions. In 2007, when The Times listed the twenty most controversial works in art history, Elisabeth Ohlsson's interpretation of The Last Supper ranked seventeenth.

Photography is based on light. The image is formed by the balance between light and darkness. Elisabeth mentioned that in all her photography, she found inspiration and ideals in the Baroque artist Caravaggio, 1571-1610. I thought it was interesting and started to Google.

What a painter and trendsetter. In his paintings, light falls like a harsh beam, much like a spotlight on a theater stage. And instead of models, he brought in the poor from the streets to make the image realistic. Brave considering the Baroque ideals of the time.

I've never photographed in that way, in a studio and with plenty of time to test different lighting. But now I feel inspired. And it's not a bad idea to draw inspiration and ideas from the masters of art history.

It would be interesting to know - what inspires you?"