It was a risk. Going some place I have only been to once before. The mission - to evaluate emotions surrounding photography. Turns out unfamiliarity and lack of emotional attachment were essential to an honest evaluation.
A friend and I are working through some exercises in the book Shooting with Soul. We are both in need of a photographic kick-in-the-butt. She had recently purchased the slightly used book. I had the book on my photography bookshelf, the tassel of a bookmark protruding from a third of the way through. These kinds of exercises are better when done together.
Since it is Summer in both Michigan and Maine, we wanted to take advantage of the season. We started at Chapter 4 - Wanderings: Taking the Scenic Route.
The first exercise we are doing is No. 25 - A Walk in Nature.
It has been a while since I have taken my DSLR on a walk. There was some relearning to do. How do I change the Drive again? Oh yah, that button on top that says Drive. Since doing my Meadow Project the last two summers I prefer to use my tripod for nature shots. No, I don't enjoy carrying it, but I know I am a better photographer when I use it. I slow down. Something that is terribly hard for me.
For this walk in nature, I was suppose to photograph with a meditative state of mind. I will be honest. I will probably never get to that state of mind. I can't even get there in Restorative Yoga when I am lying on my back, eyes closed, listening to atomspheric cello music, covered by a cozy blanket. Within me lies a slight skeptical edge towards everything.
"Notice the harmony in all the shapes, colors, and textures and how the sun shines through the trees. Let your intuition guide you. Notice your emotions as you go and think about how you might want to express those feelings in your photos."I was thinking about what to make for supper.
My personality type is more post-event reflective. I see the potential in my photographs when I process them. That is when the story that lies within them is revealed.
If you had asked me that morning in the park - I would have said I hate photography. The bugs, the mud, carrying the tripod, nothing inspiring to photograph. Now, as I sit at the computer processing these images, listening to atmospheric cello music, and writing this story - I will say I love photography.
Reminder
For those participating in the Summer Photography Scavenger Hunt, please remember to tag your photos #sharewhereyoulive2019 both on Instagram and on Facebook. You can follow the hashtag on IG and I can locate your photos on FB via the hashtag. I want to see what you all are doing. Plus I love to post your photos from the week on my Facebook Page - Twisted Road Studio
6 comments:
Book title would have grabbed me . . .
Liked your reflection of yourself and yoga . . .
Might be ME too . . .
Or a step further . . . asleep.
A “winding path” draws me in . . . takes me . . .
I've been dragging my photography butt lately, too... hard to find inspiration, always distracted by something else I could be doing. So thank you for this post, and for the book title. Maybe I'll see if our library system has a copy. Good luck wandering the back roads... look forward to seeing the pictures that come from your adventures.
LOL! I know that meditative mindset well- definitely need some help there. I saw that Leon had mentioned that book on her blog - I looked at it on Amazon. It will be a couple months before I truly have the time to devote to it, but it looks awesome. I’ll look forward to following your progress! I also know that impatience with slowing down, but look at what you do when you slow down just a bit.
I admire your truthfullness and honesty about everything! I also like that you are aware of every - big or little - feeling or thought you may have. That is a feat by itself... Nothing to go unnoticed!
You inspire me, Sarah. Every time I read your words, I'm inspired to try a little harder! I'm with you on that meditation thing. It just doesn't happen for me!! We've been doing a bit of remodeling, new flooring and paint, so my books are all packed away. I'm looking forward to unpacking those boxes and finding "Shooting with Soul." You make me want to do the chapter on walking in nature. You certainly found some beautiful shots, even though you mentioned you weren't to inspired.
I love this book - it is so inspiring. How lovely that you can do some of these challenges with a friend. A nature walk is always wonderful - whether with or without a camera. I don't think I need to say that your photos are lovely, you know that. However, I want to point out how much I like the image with the swings; it has such a nostalgic atmosphere.
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