by Leigh
Spontaneous
So which one are you? Spontaneous or a planner? Do you go about life just waiting to see what's over the next hill or do you carefully plan each step that you take in a rhythmic and methodical manner?
Now think about your approach to photography. Do you spontaneously shoot or carefully plan out the photograph? Does your photography match the way you are in your day to day life?
I was just thinking about this the other day after reading the insightful and inspiring post by our guest blogger Kim Manley Ort. She talked about living a contemplative life through photography. Her post resonated with me because I've always considered photography to be a meditation of sorts. I go out with my camera, a calm mind and an open eye and discover what wants to be seen. It's very spontaneous and a time to be in the here and now. I feel a rhythm and an openness with nature and if I can quiet my mind enough then I'm more receptive to hear and see what is out there. And this is very similar to my day to day life. Of course, I am a planner when it comes to scheduling work and kids activities and I do enjoy my predictable routine during the week, but on the weekends I like to go with the flow.
Planned
I am currently taking Kim Klassen's Be Still online photography class and I have to admit….I felt very out of my comfort zone at the beginning. How could I start to think out my photographs ahead of time when I have alway set out to discover and experience the moments I capture. But at the same time I feel very much at home because she talks about taking time to breathe and to be still and be inspired.
Be Still ManifestoI believe ….. there’s bits of lovely everywhere….stop, PAUSE... look...see...Shadow, light.... lines and cracks...the weathered, the worn....tattered, torn....Life is messy.........ups, downs... ins .... outs....Amongst it all... there's beauty ...just waiting to be found. Still life ……
finding pretty pieces… perfectly imperfects…. placing them close and making pretty pictures....
the pause, the quiet, the taking time….. a long cleansing breath……a daily practice. ~Kim Klassen
She's combining the meditative approach with a well thought out study of still life photography. I'm realizing that I don't have to be one or the other. I can be both and find a new aspect of capturing the moment. Sometimes we all need to be gently pushed out of our comfort zones…don't you think?
