For the past few months I have been in hibernation mode, waiting for the light to reappear and our summer adventures to start. Looking through my recent pictures I realise I’ve been posting a lot of symmetrical and posed pictures on both blogs and Instagram. But it gets tiring to stage things all the time and my family is beginning to get a little frustrated with me. “It’s a set up!” they cry as I lay the table. “It’s a set up!” they yell as I ask them to hold things perfectly still.
It was time, I realised, to rediscover my more spontaneous side and look around me. So I was intrigued when Luisa Brimble recommended a book on her site called “Contemplative Photography: Seeing the World with Fresh Eyes” by Andy Karr and Michael Wood. You may remember a post I wrote last year describing a meditation practice called Fresh Eyes. It’s a way of seeing the world in a new way and appreciating things without imposing an extra layer of dissatisfaction or judgment. Contemplative photography, also known as Miksang photography takes this one step further and applies it the way we use our cameras.
The authors of “Contemplative Photography” provide an accessible introduction to this approach. They encourage you to read the chapters carefully and then, before tackling the exercises, to examine the example images. I really did take the time to let those images sink in before I started any of the exercises.
The first exercise was to look for colour. Sounds easy, right? But it was more complex than that. I had to look for a specific colour (no nature, no words, not from a distance) and then I had to stop when I noticed the colour. Literally stop where I was. And contemplate whatever it was that had stopped me. I had to understand what I was seeing, what was included in my perception of the colour and only then I was allowed to raise my camera. After raising the camera to my eye, I then had to make the equivalent judgment and decide whether the image in my viewfinder was the same image that had stopped me. When I was happy that I had fulfilled the criteria I was allowed to take the picture. Here are some examples I took of red around our home.
They’re not earth-shattering, but I like the way that I was able to concentrate on just the red. On Sunday we headed to the Columbia Road Flower Market, and once again I concentrated on the reds. These aren’t the sort of pictures I would normally take. I felt I was able to isolate the colour and just focus on that. It was a wonderful feeling of freedom, and has given me a new way of looking at the world — the “fresh eyes” of the book’s subtitle.
I have looked at the next chapters of this book. But I’m taking them slowly. I am relishing each exercise, and practising. (It’s a bit like “Karate Kid”.) It takes time and effort to develop fresh eyes.
Kirstin
This sounds like a very interesting excercise in visualisation – thanks for sharing, Kirstin!
well this certainly found me at the right time. i recently blogged about wanting to approach my photography differently and this spin on it could help. thanks kirstin!
Have fun, Cara! The pictures really do inspire!
I’ve been reading and thinking more about contemplative and specifically Miksang photography and can’t wait to check this book out. p.s. Love the “Karate Kid” approach!
This book sounds like it’s right up your street in that case, Karate Kid and all!
This was a most intriguing post! Here I was, lying in bed checking my email rather mindlessly, having been awakened by the dog and cat in a mock fight. Suddenly your post grabbed me and brought me fully awake! The RED! Those photos were intriguing. The red leapt out at me in every single one, and the last was so compelling! I wrote a hundred stories in a flash when I saw those red encased feet.
Thank you so much for this awakening- oh how I needed it! I plan to purchase this book as soon as I can locate it.
Oops! I meant the next to last photo. Sorry- but I will say that the last one DID speak its redness loud & clear to me! Kirsten, you wouldn’t have had to have called my attention to the red- it grabbed my focus every time!
Thank you Kat. I’m glad to have inspired you! Can’t wait to read the stories!
You’re right that these aren’t your usual style but there’s something equally appealing to them. They pulled me in instantly. You’ve made me interested to learn more.
I’ll let you know more as I get through the book, Suzi. x
Oh, what a wonderful exercise. I need to check out that book. I am in love with that third shot.
Thank you Staci. x
Sounds intriguing. I will have to check this out. I find your first and last image enchanting, Kirstin!
Thank you Anna. x
I really like these Kirsten. I think it’s good to be shaken out of one’s usual style for a bit. Even if you settle back into your usual style, you will have added something to it.
That’s exactly what I’m hoping for, Deirdre!
excellent timing for me as well! this is a bit of the approach that I’m working on for my (in-person) class I’m developing for next month! it is sort of a use of daily (or at least regular) photography as a form of meditation and finding gratitude. wrapping up many of the concepts of past projects of mine. I love checking out that site, and will be eager to see the book too. Thanks, as always, for sharing Kirsten! and my favorite is the last (I know it is supposed to be about the red, but that LIGHT!)
Amy, your class sounds fascinating! Yes, if you’re interested in meditation, then this book is definitely for you.
Wow, I love this exercise. Hope you keep us posted on the rest of the book!
Will do, Christy! Just need to find some more time for the subsequent exercises. x
I love having a new way to think about and approach my photography. Thanks, Kirstin!
It’s a pleasure, Meghan. x
Oh my. These are so different from your usual, but think a lot of good comes of shaking things up a bit. I haven’t ever heard of Miksang so thank you for opening my eyes to something new. What you got here, kirstin, especially the light on the fabric & those cute red boots – both make me smile big
Thank you, Debbie. I have a feeling you would enjoy this book. It’s very thoughtful and purposeful at the same time. x
looks an interesting book
thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!! xxxooo
Great post! This seems to be an interesting approach, amazing, thank you for this input..off to the bookshop…
What an awesome approach and great way of “re”looking at our photography…a great way to combat staleness and get our of our comfort zones. Looks like a book I’m going to have to look up.
I bought this book from my iphone based on your review. It arrived today, and when I saw the box, I chastised myself a bit for acting so rashly. However, after sitting down with my new book and a cup of tea on a rainy afternoon — sigh. You can imagine my delight. Looking forward to working on seeing.
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