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December 2025, Tree Lighting Redux (Again)

News about happenings at Deliberate Light and photography instruction (see Digital Photo Academy). This month’s photography topic: Tree Lighting Redux (Again).

NEWS

Upcoming Workshops. I am next scheduled to teach workshops for Digital Photo Academy on January 3rd at 30th Street Station in Philadelphia. You can sign up here.

· Mastering Your Camera Controls (1.5 hours) – intended for DSLR/Mirrorless/Compact cameras (smartphone tutorial available separately)

· Composition in the Field (3 hours) – walking tour around the venue with instruction and hands-on practice composing photos (bring any camera)

New Photo.

Gathering to Sing The Dark Away. What can be better for a child or for the child in all of us to gather together to sing in the dark holding candles? Real candles in hand and alight on the tree. For a magical moment we share pure peace and joy. They did this in Rose Valley almost 125 years ago and I like to think we will still be doing this 125 years from now. I answer my own question: no, nothing can be better. The world now can be a very dark place, but hey, we’ve got candles!

(Rose Valley, 2025)

For a more detailed, enlarged view, see it on my website.

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VIEWS

Tree Lighting Redux (Again)

It is December yet again and my mental balance that needed soothing last year has not improved much, so, like last year, immersing myself in my communities is essential. Once again, I am grateful for the annual Tree Lighting at the Rose Valley Museum at Thunderbird Lodge, a simple ceremony that brings us together for the joy of it.

As last year, no photography lessons this month, just images that celebrate our being together to light candles and sing in the dark. The tree we light candles on is an evergreen, as potent a primeval symbol of hope and rebirth as there is. As last year, no children were immolated in lighting this tree, though I must admit, it was not for lack of trying.

Browse these images of a few moments from this celebration. They begin with the doors of the museum and end with a parade inside for hot cider, hot chocolate and cookies – joy made tangible.

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