What is Contemplative Photography?
Ranked #6,704 in Arts & Design, #111,948 overall | Donates to Earthjustice
"The Meaning of Life is to See"
The quote above is by the 14th century Chinese monastic, Hui Neng, and has been my motto for quite some time now.
It is often said of photographers that they have a good eye. They see things or scenes that others miss. Believe it or not, this is a skill which can be developed if you have the desire to do so.
Contemplative photography is about being totally present and seeing exactly what is before you, without filters or judgment. It is about seeing with your heart.
Doesn't everyone see what is before them? Not really. You may see a candle on a table. Do you also see the shadows it creates? Or the reflections that the light casts on it? Or it's underlying shape and form?
Photo: Japanese Zen Garden, Portland, Oregon
Why is seeing so important?
If you really look at something and see more than its label, it becomes more beautiful, more complex, more nuanced.
The process of seeing or paying close attention brings one totally into the moment, and thoughts disappear. In this way, seeing is a form of meditation.
Developing this skill of close attention can create positive benefits in your life. What happens when you start paying closer attention to your work, or your kids, or even someone you don't care for.
You will start seeing their complexity, you will appreciate them more, and realize that your view of them is not as black and white as you originally thought. You will see the changing, evolving person or thing that they are.
"The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses
to grow sharper."
-- W.B. Yeats
What is contemplation?
According to Merriam-Webster, contemplation means to "consider with attention."
Contemplation is different from reflection. Reflection has to do with thoughts - looking back and remembering, and finding meaning in your memories.
Contemplation, however, is not about thoughts or the past. It is about being totally present and aware - seeing (considering) reality exactly as it is, without judgment or meaning.
The word contemplative is often associated with monks, because it represents their way of life. One of the most well-known monks who wrote about this way of life was Trappist Thomas Merton. Learn more about him at the link below.
The Seven Storey Mountain
Autobiography of Thomas Merton
The Seven Storey Mountain
Amazon Price: $3.23 (as of 05/30/2012)
List Price: $16.00
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Stop looking and begin seeing.
Looking means you already have
something in mind
for your eyes to find.
But seeing is being open and
receptive to what comes to the eye;
your vision total and non-targeted.
~ Thomas Merton
The Difference between Looking and Seeing
When is a weed something beautiful?
This image was taken while on a photography workshop with Freeman Patterson and Andre Gallant in New Brunswick, Canada.
It was October and I was standing in Freeman's garden, where the plants were all dying. Standing there looking helpless, Freeman came over and told me to get down on my stomach, poke my camera through the "weeds," focus close, and see what appeared. This is the image I took.
The color, not apparent as I stood above, suddenly provided a perfect backdrop. It was a lesson I will never forget.
Freeman Patterson says,
"Seeing, in the finest and broadest sense, means using your senses, your intellect, and your emotions. It means encountering your subject matter with your whole being. It means looking beyond the labels of things and discovering the remarkable world around you."
More on Awareness and The Art of Seeing
The Zen of Seeing
by Frederick Franck
My other mentor in seeing is the artist Frederick Franck, author of the book below, The Zen of Seeing. Here is an excerpt:
"Looking and seeing both begin with sense perception, but there the similarity ends. When I "look" at the world and label its phenomena, I make immediate choices, instant appraisals. I like or I dislike. I accept or I reject...... The purpose of looking is to survive, to cope, to manipulate, to discern what enhances or diminishes the "me". When I see I am suddenly all eyes. I forget the ME, and am liberated from it and dive into the reality of what confronts me.... It is in order to see, ... more deeply that I draw.... I have learned that what I have not drawn I have never really seen..... I discover that among the ten thousand things there is no ordinary thing."
Zen of Seeing: Seeing/Drawing as Meditation
Amazon Price: $11.20 (as of 05/31/2012)
List Price: $22.95
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
More on Frederick Franck
My #1 Hero
"The camera is an instrument that
teaches people how to see
without a camera."
~ Dorothea Lange
What is Contemplative Photography?
In the book, The Practice of Contemplative Photography, the authors write that contemplative photography is about aligning eye, mind, and heart. It teaches you to appreciate the world and see it with fresh eyes.
Contemplative photography is much more than self-expression. The photographer is able to express the essence of its subject, with no conceptual interpretation. The image reveals truth.
Conventional photography, especially commercial or self-expressive, is often conceptual. The photographer "looks" for a certain subject in order to express an interpretation. Often, photographers are looking for something beautiful or that will evoke awe. There is nothing wrong with that, it is just a different type of photography. It's what most of us do.
Contemplative photography can be very effective, and at the same time, teach us how to be in the moment and pay closer attention.
Concepts, perceptions, and interpretations can be limiting. The real world is constantly changing and offers unlimited perceptions and potential for creativity.
The book below is the most comprehensive to-date on the subject of contemplative photography.
The Practice of Contemplative Photography: Seeing the World with Fresh Eyes
Amazon Price: $15.01 (as of 05/31/2012)
List Price: $26.95
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
My Contemplative Photography Gallery
Curving Staircase Abstraction at the Art Gallery of Ontario
More Links for Contemplative Photography
- The Mindful Eye
- Contemplative workshops with Fernando Senior.
- Seeing Fresh
- The website created by the authors of The Practice of Contemplative Photography.
- The Miksang Institute for Contemplative Photography
- Workshops in True Perception, True Expression
Contemplative Photography Workshops
Click on the image to learn more about my online
and in-person photography workshops.
Join me on Facebook
Adventures in Seeing with Kim Manley Ort
Facebook Fan box widget may not always appear in the Workshop. Please preview or publish your lens to see the widget.
Thank You for Visiting!
Please share your thoughts on contemplative photography.
-
-
elsahc Mar 29, 2012 @ 2:09 pm | delete
- Love that this kind of discussion and presentation is on squidoo...
-
-
-
JaguarJulie Jan 4, 2012 @ 9:34 am | delete
- Well, the past few days, with the end of the year and beginning of a new year, I have been contemplative on many levels. Been watching the squirrels which inspire me. They were back out this morning even though we have some of our coldest temperatures yet. I've been contemplating my next photography session with them as subjects. What a fabulous page you have crafted. The best to you Kim!
-
-
-
kimmanleyort
Jan 4, 2012 @ 9:39 am | delete
- Contemplating squirrels. I love it!
-
-
-
GrowWear
Aug 31, 2011 @ 9:53 am | delete
- Absolutely wonderful and inspiring lens, Kim. Wishing you much success with your workshop.
-
-
-
kimmanleyort
Aug 31, 2011 @ 12:38 pm | delete
- Thank you, MiMi. I hope someone signs up so they can see how awesome it will be. :)
-
About the Author
The Everything Series on Zazzle
by kimmanleyort
Mother, wife and photographer who never stops learning to see. Squidoo allows me to explore my interests and the fabulous community is an added bonus. more »
- 132 featured lenses
- Winner of 23 trophies!
- Top lens » 25 Ways to Teach Kids Compassion
- This lens »
Won purple star
Explore related pages
The Practice of Contemplative Photography
is available on Amazon
The Practice of Contemplative Photography: Seeing the World with Fresh Eyes
Amazon Price: $15.01 (as of 05/31/2012)
Latest Posts from my blog, Be Inspired
More Photography Pages
