Week #9

Winter Evening

Silently and serenely one forgets all words.

Clearly and vividly, it appears before you.

When one realizes it, it is vast and without edges.

Hongzhi Zhengjue

 I was finding it difficult this week to schedule in the time and space I needed with my camera. I was also feeling a bit at odds with myself over what I'm looking for out of my photography. 

Yearning for some wise words, I picked up John Daido Loori's book, The Zen of Creativity, Cultivating Your Artistic Life. I have read this book before and thought that it might have a pearl of wisdom that could guide me to some insight about my slump. Right there in the introduction were the wise words and the gentle reminder I needed to hear. Loori talks about the great Zen Master D.T. Suzuki's views on the arts of Zen. Suzuki says the most interesting aspect of the arts of Zen is that they don't exist for the sole purpose of creating a work of art, but they are rather a method for opening the creative process. They comprise the means of training the mind and of living our lives. 

It is this very practice that I use my camera for - a way to bring my eyes and heart together and stand in the present moment. 

Here is a link to  John Daido Loori speaking about his photography and creative process.

With gratitude.

Week #8

Looking in the Window

"Very often I try to find something that matches a feeling I have. On the other hand, a lot of times I photograph with nothing specific in mind. I just play it as it comes. If it's good, fine. I find 'letting it happen' relaxing, a playful vacation. Stimulating pictures almost always result."

Minor White -

People often ask me how I decide what I want to photograph. I must admit that I usually don't go out with something specific in mind that I want to capture. I am more inclined just to show up and see what happens. Yesterday I was at the Vacaville Vintage Market poking around looking at the various treasures when I paused a moment and looked up to see this old house with this wonderful window. To others there this might look like an eyesore but to me it revealed a beauty and soul that only comes with age.

Week #7

Downtown Shoppers

Anyone who knows me know that I love to learn and share the experience with other like minded souls. I often take online courses as a way to stretch myself and hold myself accountable to getting out withy camera.

Right now I am taking an online class titled Photo Meditations. The class is being taught by a photographer and author by the name of Susannah Conway  The purpose of the class is to help us connect to our creativity and use our cameras as a way to connect ourselves to the world around us. Susannah provides wonderful materials and examples from her own work and the work of many other creatives.  Because the class is online, the students are from all over the world. We share our progress together and get to learn from each other as well as Susannah. I would encourage you to check out Susannah's site and to think about signing up for one of her classes. You don't need anything more than a phone camera - so get out there and start seeing your world with new eyes.

Week #6

Two Trees

"Which of my photographs is my favorite? The one I'm going to take tomorrow."

Imogene Cunningham

There is something about the process of photography that compels me to want my camera with me at all times. I am most comfortable now when I am looking at the world through my viewfinder. Perhaps it has something to do with what Ms. Cunningham said - I am always looking forward to the next picture and the chance to see the world in a new way.