Review Part I: The Practice of Contemplative Photography:Seeing the World with Fresh Eyes.

Establishing Stance: 

I am currently reading and learning with Andy Karr and Michael Wood's latest book The Practice of Contemplative Photography: Seeing the World with Fresh Eyes. It has always been essential for me to carry my camera along when I am on vacation, especially if it is to an exotic spot, over the years I've indulged in taking pictures in some beautiful places around the world unawares that the best photos you can take are right where you are.

At some point in all my shutterbug life I had become obsessed with the subject matter of what I was photographing, trying to manipulate the camera and the subject matter to get what I thought was a good shot. Gradually I realized that I was seeing the world solely through the viewfinder. I would constantly think about the picture I should take, how a certain subject should look and when to upload all these wonderful pictures on Facebook for my friends and family to see. In the process I was not available to actually enjoy the moment. That's when I put the camera down.

I took to the camera again after the birth of my daughter, to document her  milestones and to treasure her years growing up. My should's, have to's and must's about how to take pictures melted away in the face of complete love. I slowly also began to notice that the world around me had that flavor, of love and acceptance. When the "new mother" phase began to wear I had to acknowledge all my other emotions as well and the world took on those flavors again. But my moments of love, a world with this flavor continues to exist because of Anika, because of my meditation and mindfulness practice. 

On a flight back to Delhi, July 2012

Looking at the world, seeing it like it is, by being "...present with something in an open space" (p.3) continues  to enliven and ground me and that is thanks to this book. The author's define Contemplative photography as a meditative practice of connecting with your present moment with careful observation. The author's quote Henri Cartier-Benson to describe Contemplative Photography as "Putting one's head, one's eye and one's heart on the same axis" (p.5). It is a way of letting go our stereotypes of what should be, what other's will think, what you think, it is a process of taking a picture by appreciating things just as they are.

I can't help but quote some more " When a properly exposed photograph faithfully replicates your original perception, you saw clearly... How does clear seeing produce clear images? When you see clearly, your vision is not obscured by expectations about getting a good or a bad shot, agitation about the best technique for making the picture, thoughts about how beautiful or ugly the subject is, or worries about expressing yourself and becoming famous...What resonated within you in the original seeing will also resonate in the photograph." (p.3)

                                                        On a flight back to Delhi, July 2012

Clear seeing needs practice, which is why I am glad the authors call it the  "practice" of contemplative photography and not the mastery of contemplative photography. Thank God for that. It heartens me because  practice means a constant coming back to wisdom of what is. Given that my practice has its ups and downs because of who I am and my perceptions of how a certain picture should be taken and of what should be photographed often OFTEN plagues me, a practice of contemplative photography gives me the space to come back to a place of non judgmental being. Take your time and come back to the present moment is what this practice is about. I am also grateful for the exercises in the book. I had actually began some of them before I bought the book and you can too, the basic exercises are on their website: Seeing Fresh . The authors know what plague my head, so they give wonderful exercises to work with the inner judgmental dialogue,with boredom and frustration. 

                                                                            New Delhi, July 2012

More on my explorations with the book later. For now, I would love to hear from you about your experience with photography. Does your inner noise hinder your picture taking.  Does Contemplative Photography pique your interest?

Like what you read? Sign up for our monthly newsletter!