Visions of Light

Inspirational Poetry, Stunning Photography

Fiction - Literary
144 Pages
Reviewed on 07/10/2020
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Visions of Light: Inspirational Poetry, Stunning Photography is a work of non-fiction featuring both the poetic arts and practical photography advice, and was penned by author Raymond J. Klein. Written in two sections, we are first introduced to what our subtitle hints at as the author showcases many impressive photographs, each accompanied by poems that probe deeper into the imagery. In the second section of the book, the author then proceeds to explain how to discover viewpoints and perspectives on photographic subjects and produce images that have this same inspiring effect. What results is a comprehensive yet concise guide on entering the world of photographic expression.

Author Raymond J. Klein has produced a volume that bridges a very important gap between the subjective world of art and the professional spheres in which art is used, such as journalism and advertising. Budding photographers as well as other artists looking to step into this as a new medium for their expression will find so much value amongst the narrative and practical steps included in this book. The author offers a wealth of experience from much time spent behind the camera, and the narrative style is accessible, not overloaded with jargon or insider talk. The first section is especially useful when looked at again after reading the second, as the examples really shine once you understand how they were formed. Overall, I would highly recommend Visions of Light to everyone seeking to move into photography either for pleasure or profit.

Vernita Naylor

We can all look at the same thing yet walk away from it with a different perspective, whether it's something visual, written, or heard. But how many of us take the time to let beauty envelop us in its essence? In Visions of Light: Inspirational Poetry, Stunning Photography by Raymond J Klein, the reader will be able to experience over fifty poems by various authors coupled with colorful illuminating photography. This book will keep the reader excited and engaged from the beginning to the end. As an added bonus, the author provides background history on each beautiful photo image, some of which were inspired by his world travels, won various types of accolades, and been featured on an LP cover. The reader will also learn a lot about how the photographs were created, including the camera used.

I loved how Raymond J Klein combined the poems with beautiful images because it created a sensory illusion that helped to tap into my imagination. Through this element of imagination, it establishes a connection to both the poem and the image which helps to develop an interpretation of what I read and saw. There were so many poems and photography to enjoy that I want to mention a few: Pacific Moon (image), Incandescent Echo Flare (poem and image), Finch Songs (poem and image), and One to One (poem and image. I'm sure that you'll enjoy it as well. If you love poetry and photography, Visions of Light is a beautiful marriage made in imagery. Highly recommended.

Tiffany Ferrell

While the photography in Visions of Light belongs to the talented Raymond J. Klein, the beautiful poems that fill the first part of the book belong to various writers and poets, used to give an in-depth picture and meaning to the photos that are displayed. In part two of the book, Klein breaks down each photo in the book, describing how he created such unique designs and the methods he used to achieve how the images turned out.

Visions of Light is a very beautiful photography and poetry book. When I first started reading, I must admit that I wasn’t sure how both would mesh together but as soon as I was reading, the photos became visual aids that helped me really understand and interpret the poems better. My three favorite poems were Moods Of A Saxophone, Leap Into Action, and Catch Your Voice. With the photographs, I found I could relate to the first two poems, being someone who loves music and dance. The third poem really spoke to me because I am a writer. I enjoy writing and I use it as an outlet for dealing with stress and anxiety. The images that I enjoyed the most were Pacific Moon, The Newsboy, and Mount Hood At Lost Lake. I always enjoy seeing nature and outdoor photography. Pacific Moon and Mount Hood definitely did not disappoint in that aspect. The Newsboy has a vintage feel that transports you back to a place in time. Overall, I was really impressed with this book and I hope to see more poetry from the writers in this book as well as more work from Raymond Klein.

Mamta Madhavan

Visions of Light: Inspirational Poetry, Stunning Photography by Raymond J. Klein is, as the title suggests, a stunning collection of photographs and poems that will take readers on an enthralling journey and will encourage them to discover their own imagination and creativity. The images are a melange of designs, abstracts, scenics, close-ups, action photography; fabulous images to go with the words that will leave readers awestruck and wanting more. So without further ado, let us explore the book and get motivated to explore the hidden thoughts and emotions inside us.

Divided into two parts, Experiments, Experiments Explained, the collection reaches out to all types of readers. Ekphrastic poetry has always been popular right from the times of Homer and Horace. What makes it appealing is that visual art and words leave readers to interpret the author's thoughts and minds in myriad ways. The colors are bright and some of the photographs, images, and poetry will evoke a zen-like feeling in the minds of poetry lovers. It is so difficult to choose a favorite image or a poem from this collection. Every single picture and the poems are insightful, meaningful, and profound and are good tools to help readers perceive the world with a fresh approach. The words as well the images shared in the book are exquisite and will take readers on a magical literary trip. The poems are well worded, evocative, and ethereal, and the poet's thoughts of explaining the images and words will guide readers who are interested in art and photography to channel their inner talents and come up with their dream works.

Rabia Tanveer

Visions of Light: Inspirational Poetry, Stunning Photography by Raymond J Klein is a collection of poems and photographs that will bring a different kind of serenity. Unique and astonishingly rich, the author uses these poems to set the tone for his pictures and give his readers some simply wonderful photographs to enjoy. The first part of the book is all about those lyrical poems and stunning pictures, while the second part is about explaining the techniques he used and how aspiring photographers can benefit from his advice. He shares the techniques he used for aperture shapes, light exposures, and editing skills in Adobe Photoshop that will help photographers. He also goes into detail about filters and different digital techniques he used to bring his traditional photography to life. His diligence, the poems he used, and the techniques he shares make this more than just a book on photography.

Experienced professionals and newbies will find the information in Visions of Light very helpful. Raymond J Klein gives a step-by-step guide to processes he used and enough information so that anyone with a passion for photography can improve their skills. I thoroughly enjoyed the poems by Toni Partington; they had a depth that made me feel connected and emotional. As for the photographs, I am no expert at photography, but some of the pictures shared by the author are breathtaking. The more abstract pictures are artful and fascinating at the same time. Some of the pictures will make you think “where is the light is coming from” and you will look a little closer and fall in love with those pictures even more. I can only imagine how amazing this book would be in hard copy.

Diana Lopez

Visions of Light is an inspiring book about life, nature, and joy in a vibrant and colorful world. In this work, Raymond J. Klein takes us on a journey that combines poetry from various authors with beautiful photographs. He creates an experience that is like having two books in one. The first part, Experiments, presents us with a harmonious collection of poems and artistic photographs. These verses and images invite us to face sadness while celebrating moments of serenity and relaxation. Scenery like the beach and elements like birds are also explored here, capturing meaningful moments. The second part of the book, Experiments Explained, details the photographic process. Raymond J. Klein describes his experiences over the years, experimenting with different camera lenses and visual effects.

I loved the variety and versatility of the poems in Visions of Light. The images have diverse styles: some play with light, colors, and shapes in an abstract way, while others show specific places and moments. The photograph and the poem from The Newsboy are some of my favorite parts. They capture a moment in 1957, evoking a sense of nostalgia for another era. The picture illustrates a child newsboy immersed in thought, and the story about the taking of that image is interesting. Raymond J. Klein not only shares stories behind the photographs but also describes the techniques used in this process. Additionally, he offers tips to motivate readers to enter the world of photography. Visions of Light combines poetry, photography, and practical knowledge to inspire creativity.

Emily-Jane Hills Orford

And it was written: “God said, ‘Let there be light.’” The result was that light engulfed the universe. What a powerful moment that must have been. Instantaneously from darkness to light. To capture that moment of awe, to photograph it, must be just as powerful a moment, or at least close to, as that first inspirational moment of “and then there was light.” Raymond J Klein captures these moments with his camera and shares his insight and images in Visions of Light. As he aptly writes in his preface, “The photographs are messages from light.” And, so too are the written words, the poems and quotes from Scripture and a collection of remarkable poets – these written words are messages of light, inspired within the imaginative realms of the mind and explored in great detail.

Raymond J Klein’s book, Visions of Light: Inspirational Poetry, Stunning Photography, is a collection of poetic images and words to soothe the kindred spirit of light. Coupled with the author/artist’s sublime photographs, contributing poets, Toni Partington, Lori Loranger, Zoë Loranger, and Daedra Pfeiffer, share their visions using the power of the written word to interpret and lyricize the visual images of light. Their poetry represents their interpretation of Klein’s photographs. Following details on how the artist accomplished the image, there are instructions for readers to become their creative genius and produce their own stunning photographic images. At the end of the collection, the author/artist provides a summary, “12 Steps to Discovering Value in Your Photographic Imagery.” He concludes with a synopsis of the camera he used and the history that documented its preferred usage for making such spectacular images. This is an engaging read/study, as well as a good resource to guide photographic artists on their journey to imaginative creations.

Astrid Iustulin

Poetry and photography have a considerable impact on the human soul; this is why when they are brought together, magic happens. Readers experience this when they read Raymond J. Klein's splendid book, Visions of Light. In the first part, the author collects many photographs he took during his long career and accompanies each of them with a poem. Several poets contributed to these texts — some poems were chosen because they perfectly captured the essence of the picture, while others were written specifically for it. In the second part, Klein shares information about the creative process of each photograph and invites his readers to pursue their passion and make a career out of it.

Raymond J. Klein has created something wonderful with Visions of Light, and there are so many ways to get inspired by it that I almost cannot count them. The images are stunning, whether they represent abstract figures, landscapes, or animals; this aspect is enough to make the book memorable. The poems, however, add the unique voices of several talented poets, and it is a pleasure to read their work; I especially appreciated Toni Partington's verses for their originality and inspiration. I enjoyed Klein's explanations regarding the creation of the photographs. I felt like I was peeking behind the scenes (an experience that always amuses me) and learning more about photography techniques. I recommend Visions of Light: Inspirational Poetry, Stunning Photography to all aspiring photographers and lovers of beautiful images and poetry. I am sure each of them will find something remarkable in this book.

Jon Michael Miller

In Visions of Light: Inspirational Poetry, Stunning Photography, author and eminent photographer Raymond J. Klein leads with the Bible quotation: "Let there be Light." And the reader soon becomes aware of Mr. Klein’s lifetime dedication to God’s first edict. This enthralling collection includes two sections; the first shows Klein’s photographs each with a poem attached by local Washington State poets Toni Partington, Lori Loranger, and Lori’s daughter Zoe. Some of the shots are of nature (the northwest shoreline, birds, flowers); and some are of Klein’s astounding experiments with light. All include poems attached to specific photos. Matching pictures and poems is one of the great pleasures of this book. This section contains some sixty photographs and poems. Section Two contains over forty images with Klein’s explanations of the photographic techniques and the setup experimentations of some of pure light and some of natural imagery.

As a bit of a camera bug and a sometime poet myself, I really enjoyed seeing how the poetry matched the image it inspired. I imagine that every viewer of the photo would come up with a distinctly individual poetic response. Such potential for individual interpretation is one of the qualities of the greatest artistic creations. (Aren’t we still figuring out Mona Lisa’s smile?) Klein’s ingenious studio creations and his explanations of the experimentation involved inspire the imagination, but my interest lay more in the direction of his magnificent nature shots which, though of the recognizable natural world, involved much innovative technical expertise. Klein explains the exact details. Of all the fabulous works in this book, I think my favorite is “Pacific Sun” with the gulls on the shore, the breaking waves, and the sun setting behind the clouds. In Raymond J. Klein’s Visions of Light, his photographic work, the poetry it inspires, and most of all his dedication to the process of creation are not only delights for the eyes and the mind but are also inspirations for the soul.

Luwi Nyakansaila

Visions of Light is a collection of inspiring poems by various poets, accompanied by beautiful photographs taken by Raymond J Klein. The poems and images aim to inspire and challenge us to explore our minds, emotions, and imagination. The poems cover many topics such as light, life, nature, and the complexities of living. They will motivate you to face your fears, chase your dreams, and never give up. The second section of the book explains how and when the photos were taken, including tips and techniques that upcoming photographers can use to capture dynamic, memorable, and emotionally driven photos. The author emphasizes the significance of light and its role in photography and encourages readers to find their artistic side by taking pictures.

Visions of Light by Raymond J Klein celebrates art in the form of words and images. It is well-thought-out and organized, with each poem perfectly matched with a complementing photo. The poems are easy to understand because they are written with simple words, and tell insightful and inspiring stories. The last section of the book really surprised me. As someone who never paid much attention to photography, I was blown away by the hard work, skill, and passion required to capture emotionally moving photos. The techniques and editing behind each image truly captivated me and made me appreciate photography as an art form in a whole new way. This book can be enjoyed by poetry and photography enthusiasts, as well as anyone who wants to learn about the dedication and expertise required to create impactful art. Overall, this is great work.