reflect
“Well that’s interesting,” said Urania.
“What’s interesting?” asked Calliope. “That I took a photo of our familiar clock?”
“Or…that it’s light out at 6:15 am?” asked Thalia.
“Both,” said Urania.
“The woman on LinkedIn—from Switzerland…,” Calliope squinted…searching her memory. “She shares some great thoughts about photography.”
“Like this?” asked Thalia.
Photography is an art of observation. It’s about finding something interesting in an ordinary place. It has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with how you see them.
“Yes, and…this, too,” added Urania.
The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera.
“Manuela Leonhard…assistant to the Mayor of Zurich…you inspired us to photograph our marvelous, familiar, old clock!” said Calliope.
“Thanks,” Thalia and Urania said together.
Replies are always welcome.
Who has a photo to share with me today?
Hi Gail, I like today’s topic on “seeing,” with and without a camera. I was reminded of “Buddhist photography,” or “Miksang.” From a friend’s shared experiences, Miksang teaches using very few elements for a composition. Color and texture, for example, as one might see in a textured, non-skid material used for the transition from sidewalk to crosswalk. No framing or unnecessary elements. Almost a meditation practice.
Picture day!? Pardon my missing a step, is there a method within Born Free Newsletter to attach an image as part of one’s comments? Like having a paid “Reader” SubStack membership? Slow study here...
Can I add a photo? Hmmm... not from my iPad. Okay, look here: https://flic.kr/p/2kF9FbL to see a photo of a type drawer, mounted on our living room wall, with tiny thimbles, figurines, shells, and whatnots. Usually it’s hard to photograph; the lighting is wrong for that stretch of wall. But with the snow last week, followed by bright sun, the snow banks in the backyard reflected light at just the right angle to illuminate the display with natural light.