I think contemplative photography has always appealed to me at some level. As photographers, we’re sometimes too focussed on making photos that announce our presence to others. That makes sense when looking at things through an economic or self-marketing lens. There’s a space for that, of course. But photography is about more than the next Like or Follow on the latest social media platform.
I’m not so interested in mass appeal, exposure, ego-stroking, or money. I’m certainly interested in people and ideas and connections, but the idea that I’d need to specialise and market and propel myself in front of others just feels wrong. It goes against my grain, I suppose. The foundation of my practice finds expression through wandering, seeing, imagining, and purpose in the moment. Seeing the world differently in a single moment is at the heart of photographic practice, for me.
It’s not always an easy thing to enter the mind-state of reacting instinctively to a scene. We so often judge what we see: is it a good photo? How can I make it better when editing it? How can I crop it? What camera settings should I use? When such thoughts take over, like a virus, they interrupt the flow of the moment and remove some of the joy. Is it truly important that we frame a scene so precisely that it attracts comments? Is it truly important that we even make the photo in the first place? Do we really need the camera to see the world?
On this last point: it’s true that we require no camera to experience the joy of the moment. And I think that as photographers, we’re prone to feeling as though we must capture everything and see the world through the lens. Still, the camera is integral to photography and there’s some consideration to be afforded technical settings. It’s the tension between the camera and inhabiting the world in the moment without distraction that can be the tricky tightrope for me to walk at times.
Discover more from The Rusty Ruin Journal
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
The Rusty Ruin Journal 
It would be great if (without all the mumbo jumbo of worrying about settings and going through post processing) my camera would just see what my mind sees, and capture it. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
If only, David! I tell myself in editing often that I’m adjusting as close as I remember seeing it with my own eyes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s funny, because today I was thinking along similar lines. I was walking down the street in the morning- having just arrived in the city again- and I just kept seeing *photographable* scenes, and kept being frustrated that I couldn’t freeze-frame them due to not having the appropriate gear to do such things. But then I realised I could just decide to enjoy these scenes instead. Mindfulness is important to me- especially lately- but the urge to photograph things is always lurking beneath the surface as a distraction!
In the end, though, I decided that it’s a GOOD thing that people- including myself- want to photograph things so often and so urgently, because it’s evidence that we’re seeing beauty everywhere- and we want to communicate that. No view goes to waste if it’s being constantly appreciated by people who just can’t stop being curious! But it’s also good to be able to just quietly enjoy it on your own sometimes.
Anyway, the light on that last pic particularly is quite lovely.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s so true at times – the urge to take up the camera is the real distraction! I like to view photography as enhancing the ability to see the world too. Maybe in this way it can help us appreciate moments. Thank you !
LikeLike
Wonderful photography ☺️ well shared ☺️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you !
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLiked by 1 person