If you’re interested in either Zen or visual arts, you may recall Frederick Franck’s classic book from the 1970s called The Zen of Seeing. While I don’t have a copy in front of me right now, I seem to recall that it came from the perspective that the difficulty many of us have with drawing is that we are drawing an interpretation rather that what we are actually seeing. An idea of a dog, if you will, rather than the color, light, and shadow of the actual dog in front of us. And, in addressing letting your hand draw what your eyes are actually seeing, it introducing drawing as a meditative practice.
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Table of Contents
To me, contemplative photography seems to akin to this, only with the camera as the output rather than your hand and the pencil and paintbrush.
I first came across the book The Practice of Contemplative Photography by sheer serendipity, browsing my library bookshelves. I checked it out, then returned it, then checked it out again. And then again. Years later, I finally bought a copy. But, being a horrible student, coffee tabled it, not doing all fo the exercises.
I had to ask, though: what kept bringing me back to this book? Was it the pictures? An interest in Zen? Its presentation in nice, large, friendly paperback form?
I think part of the attraction, to me, is that I’ve always had a love/hate relationship with some aspects of photography. I love getting a great image, but I’ve long disliked how the attitude of wanting to “get” a good image or stopping to fiddle with camera settings takes me out of forgetting myself and immersing myself in my surroundings.
The technical aspects of photography are extremely important, of course, especially for some types of photography. You can’t get star photos or those lovely blurred waterfall photos without understanding the technical aspects. I’m not giving up on that type of photography.
But the approach described in this book and others like it mentioned in this post are about immediacy rather than technical know how. At least one of the authors of the books I mention below (Refocus) advises that for the photo walk exercises in her book you use a smartphone — or at least a camera that you can set up to point and shoot.
I recall a photography meeting I was at recently where the presenter said he’d started taking photos while hiking and then thought, “well, I can get better pictures if I buy a better camera…” and the room burst into laughter — both, I think, because most photographers have had the experience of wanting more and better gear AND the experience of that gear not being the most important thing that improved their photography.
The eye of the photographer is, of course, the most important thing. I’ve seen excellent photos taken with camera phones that put some of my photos to shame. (But don’t take away my fast full frame camera!)
While photography, of course, requires a different skill set than drawing, good photography does require seeing. Many photography books will focus on rules, such as the rule of thirds, when discussing composition — things like that are important to know. And some wonderful, artistic photography requires much in the way of thought and advanced planning.
But contemplative photography seems to say “wait…let’s look at and see what’s right here in front of you with new eyes,” and encourages you to develop the habit of paying attention rather than just trying to “get the photo.” Which, in turn, will likely make you a better photographer.
Contemplative (or mindful) photography has to do more with the mind and attitude of the photographer than the subject of the photo.
What is Miksang Photography?
If you start looking into contemplative photography, you’ll come across the Miksang method. Some books will refer to this method, others will not.
From what I can gather, Miksang means “Good Eye” in Tibetan and stems from the teachings of Chögyam Trungpa who, aside from being a Buddhist teacher, was a photographer in his own right.
Miksang is a trademarked process — the name of the method, its steps, its terms are all trademarked by the Miksang Institute of Contemplative Photography.
If you look at Miksang photos — or any “contemplative photography” photos, they tend to be simple, clear, and direct. They’re not (necessarily) photos of lotuses, or crosses, or other spiritual or religious subjects. They’re simple, everyday, immediate.
While taking a Miksang class would be valuable for someone wishing to practice contemplative photography, many to most of the books here are NOT Miksang method…though I suspect many were likely influenced by it.
I think what’s most important is getting out with your camera regularly with a clear mind and the right attitude.
Some general principles of contemplative photography
What follows here is not a “method” per se, but a combination of what I’ve gleaned from reading books on the subject along with my own personal experience behind a camera.
Not all books I’ve perused on the subject of contemplative photography accord with each other in every respect. Some deemphasize focus on technical skill and composition and emphasize immediacy. Some do focus more on the “art of photography,” be it technical skill or composition principles.
Most to all of them, however, do emphasize:
1. Focusing on the ordinary
The ordinary is, often extraordinary. But we often demean ordinary things or activities with words like “just” and “only.” That is “just” a coffee cup; these are “just” some eyeglasses.
I first came across the ordinary as a consciously-stated approach to photography when I encountered the books the Practice of Contemplative Photography. It reminded me of couple of things: statements I’d encountered in Zen like:
Zen is not some fancy, special art of living. Our teaching is just to live, always in reality, in its exact sense.
Shunryu Suzuki
Along with my own tendency to want to devalue the ordinary and grasp at something “beyond” that. ((Neither Zen practice nor its cousin of contemplative photography have “cured” me of this entirely. I have, right now, launched into building, from parts a better bike that I need with the idea that I’ll be able to do the STP next Summer and I still reach toward starting to enter my photos in photo contests. Nothing wrong with either activity — as long as I realize it will likely not bring permanent and eternal happiness.))
So contemplative photography is not just about taking photos of Buddhas, or lotus flowers — or crosses or prayer beads — though it CAN feature those subjects — but it’s also about capturing that quiet moment in time where the light shone onto the coffee cup just so while you were reading the newspaper or capturing those patterns and colors in an ordinary walkway that suddenly caught your eye.
2. Regular Practice
While I might say I love photography, I’m not a professional and other things seem to worm their way in and get prioritized over photography practice if I don’t set an intent and stick to it — hey, sort of like my meditation practice!
In Zen Camera, author David Ulrich suggests making a “daily record,” ideally with your phone camera since it’s with you and shooting a bunch of images every single day.
Doing something like this can help with developing your own “eye.”
However, I tend to put so many tasks upon myself that to devote myself to snapping photos every day may backfire.
I think, though, that devoting regular time in your schedule in a way that you can accomodate — be it daily, every other day, or weekly is essential — and one of the reasons I started a “group” here — sort of as a logbook or online journal.
3. Use that Phone Camera (or point and shoot or automatic):
But hasn’t learning about photography meant getting OFF auto and learning to shoot in different modes?
Contemplative photography does not suggest you throw out your fancy full frame camera.
But your phone camera has a few advantages: it’s always with you and it’s simple. And it can be a record, also, of things to return to and explore with your “good” camera.
If you choose to bring your interchangeable lens camera on your contemplative photo walks, commit to one multi-purpose lens and stay in automatic mode. Or AT LEAST put your camera on auto ISO and one shooting mode. But leave the full manual mode for other times.
And I would add:
4. Breathe
But I breathe all the time, don’t I? If you don’t understand the instruction to “breathe” this isn’t for you. Some of us tend to hold our breath when we’re stressed. Taking a deep breath can help to calm and “refocus.”
I’m not saying photography is stressful for me — it’s an activity I enjoy. But sometimes I come at it with the attitude that I MUST go home with some incredible photos. Perhaps that would be true if I were taking professional portraits, shooting weddings, or working in sports photography.
I enjoy wildlife photography, more than anything, which can be very hit and miss. I have to remind myself sometimes that a day outdoors IS a good day — even if I didn’t get the photo I wanted.
It helps me to consciously do some diaphragmatic breathing before I set out. Ultimately, good breathing helps me be more relaxed and, in turn, be more observant.
And one author, at least, suggests:
5. Print some images
Angela Goodhart suggests this one in her book Refocus –and the book, in print form, has a page for them. How often do we post our photos online or let them sit on a hard drive?
If your old (ish) like me, you might remember getting photos printed — or even printing them yourself.
Even if you don’t have a dedicated photo printer at home, a multi-purpose printer will do. Or you can find a lab with a quick turn around.
Refocus is a workbook. The author suggests putting your printed photos in the physical copy of the book with each exercise. I’m willing to give it a try, even though my journaling tends toward the digital these days.
Contemplative Photography Books
These are some of the many books on the subject. Some I’ve gone over extensively and feel that I can offer a review. Others I’ve just skimmed.
Each one has a blurb from the publisher — followed by my thoughts on the book.
My plan is to take one book at a time and actually do the exercises on a regular basis.
You’ll also find a couple of self-published contemplative photography books on Amazon. I didn’t include them here, but they have some intriguing titles. Throw Away Your Camera and Become a Photographer and Contemplative Vision: Photography as a Spiritual Practice.
But here are eight books to inspire you in your journey with contemplative photography:
The Practice of Contemplative Photography
This book was my first introduction to the idea of Contemplative Photography. I found it by serendipity at my local library years ago and finally bought a copy.
It’s a large paperback with a nice, friendly blue and yellow cover. But there was something beyond the cover that made me go out and buy it.
I liked the emphasis on immediacy over technique — though the author DOES cover some technical aspects of photography. And I think I liked it because I always need reminders of the importance of the ordinary. I want MAGIC darnit! I want the BEST photo! But the urge to “get” and compete when it comes to photography sometimes destroys the magic of the present.
Looking and Seeing
Looking and seeing is a Miksang photography book. The authors, John McQuade and Miriam Hall are both instructors in the Nalanda Miksang method. You’ll find fewer photos in this book than in The Practice of Contemplative Photography, interspersed with assignments using terms from the Miksang method and some personal experience stories.
Zen Camera
I’ve checked out Zen camera from the library and also have the Kindle version. The author, David Ulrich, also wrote the next book in this list, The Mindful Photographer. (though there’s another book of the same title by Sophie Howarth).
He emphasizes keeping a “daily record” with your phone camera and also seems to emphasize the technical aspects of photography more than some of the other books I’ve skimmed. Still, there’s something about this one to which I know I’ll return.
The Mindful Photographer: Awake in the World With A Camera
The Mindful Photographer is also by David Ulrich, author of Zen Camera. I will admit that I have not read this one, but likely will at some point. It’s a collection of 55 short essays on topics related to photography and mindfulness.
Eyes of the Heart
Much of the verbiage in contemplative photography books seem to stem from Buddhist practices — definitely the Miksang method does, but other books as well…though, really, the practice of mindfulness is, really, not religious in nature and can be practiced by anyone.
However, Eyes of the Heart offers an exception to this: it explores contemplative photography from a Christian perspective.
I have not read this book, but it appears to be an attractive book with photos and exercises and I’m sure would be helpful to anyone wanting to explore contemplative photography from a Christian standpoint.
Refocus: A 30-Day Mindful Photography Journey for Beginners
I own the Kindle version of Refocus…but you might want to consider getting the physical copy if pasting photos into the pages appeals to you or writing in a physical journal/workbook.
One of the things that the author, Angela Goodhart, suggests doing is to make prints of a couple of your favorite images for each exercise — and the book has a place where you can paste in those photos.
The book offers daily exercises — possibly very useful for someone who wants, but is struggling, to develop a regular practice of contemplative photography. If daily doesn’t work for you, you can always choose to work through the book at a slower pace.
Little Book of Contemplative Photography
I haven’t read this one. I have to enter review stars, so I based my review stars, here on Amazon reviews. It’s a short book — and another one of the rare books that explores contemplative photography from a Christian perspective.
Contemplative Photography Retreat
I haven’t read this one (yet) but it’s a small 78 page square book exploring contemplative photography through the four elements.
Did I miss anything? If you know of a book that should be here but is not on this list, please let me know in the comment section.
List of Books in this Post
Here’s the list of books in this post with current prices on Amazon.com.
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