Week #47 Photo Challenge

Autumn Reflections Yosemite

" Seeing/drawing as a technique of contemplation is, I believe, a way particularly suited to that "Western temperament" which may be no more than a habitually overstimulated nervous system, an "overloaded switchboard." It is the discipline through which I extricate myself from the habitual, the mechanical, the predigested and acquisitive automatisms of our society. I stand face to face with a hill. a bird, a human face - with myself, in unwavering attention."
Frederick Franck - The Zen of Seeing

Week #46 Photo Challenge

River Bank - Yosemite

"Every insignificant thing appears as if seen in its three dimension, in its own space and in its own time. Each leaf of grass is seen to grow from its own roots, each creature is realized to be unique, existing now/here on its voyage from birth to death, No longer do I "look" at a leaf, but enter into direct contact with its life process, with Life itself with what I, too, really am. "

Frederick Franck - The Zen of Seeing - Seeing/Drawing as Meditation

Week #42 Photo Challenge

Oak Leaf

"Our society cannot deal with the minimal, the silence and the spirituality anymore. Everything is huge, loud, flashy and intrusive. Perfection and flawless function are expected in all areas."

Wabi-Sabi - The Beauty of Photography

Natsuko Podzimek-Horinouchi | Jana Manz |Dr. Susan Brooks-Dammann

Week #17 Photo Challenge

Back Gate

"The bells and stones have voices but, unless they are struck, they will not sound"

Chuang Tzu

I would like to share a wonderful book that I've been reading. It's title is The Tao of Photography - Seeing Beyond Seeing by 

Philippe L. Gross and S.I. Shapiro. The book draws on Taoist philosophy and wisdom to illustrate how the art of living and photographic artistry is organically linked.

The book is broken up into five parts.

Part One provides a description go Taoistic photography.

Part Two focuses on the constructive nature of reality.

Part Three discusses barriers that can constrict awareness and ways of freeing awareness.

Part Four examines the role of method and education in artistry.

Part Five moves beyond the practice of photography and looks at using conscious camerawork as a way of enriching our everyday life.

I've read through the book twice and each time I gleam more insights and words of wisdom.

Week #13 Photo Challenge

Even the smallest thing......

Even the simplest thing is as important as the things we consider important. I consider the fallen leaf as important as the Gand Canyon. It's all connected. One couldn't be without the other.
Ruth Bernhard

Week #12 Photo Challenge

In A Gust of Wind

In a gust of wind

The leaves scatter

Leaving only impressions 

I've been working on writing Haikus for some of my photos. I've been reading "The Heart of Haiku" by Jane Hirshfield and was inspired to take a try using this photo from my last trip to Maui.