KEITH MICHAEL COSSEY fine art photography
Connect
  • Welcome
  • Galleries
    • Phantoms of the Forest
    • Dropology: Book and Solo Exhibition of Liquid Art Photography
    • A Short View of Tall Ships Solo Exhibition
    • Roads to the Sea
    • Water
    • Portraiture
    • Dance
    • Pride
    • Seascapes
    • Wildlife
    • Architectural
    • Macro/Close-ups
    • Winter
    • Sports
    • Still Life
    • Abstract
  • About the Artist
    • Artist's Statement
    • Biography
    • Keith's Blog
    • What's Happening
  • Media
  • Pricing
  • Contact

The Practice of Contemplative Photography Mini-Book Review

6/24/2013

6 Comments

 
The Practice of Contemplative Photography: Seeing the World with Fresh Eyes.  
Andy Karr and Michael Wood.  Boston: Shambhala Publications Inc. 2011. 226 pages.

Karr is a writer, photographer, Buddhist mediator and teacher.  Wood teaches Miksang contemplative
photography workshops in North America and Europe.  The book is an excellent introduction to the practice of contemplative photography.  It provides clear descriptions of terms and explanations of techniques.   The authors explain how to work with the eye, mind and heart together to expand vision and appreciation of the world.

A clear distinction is made between "conceptual seeing" and "perceptual seeing".  The aim of contemplative photography is perceptual seeing, that is direct experience as free as possible from preconceptions, analysis and thought.  It is a process of rediscovery of our innate, non-conceptual, creative intelligence we are all born with.  It involves careful observation and reflection on the ordinary world around us as a source of raw material and inspiration.  

The three stages of contemplative practice are revealed and explained 1. recognizing and tuning-in to the flash of perception, e.g. finding the anomalies in ordinary perception, becoming aware of a gap or an interruption in the flow of mental activity,  2. stabilizing the flash through visual discernment - dealing with the excitement of discovery and distracting thoughts, and 3. forming the equivalent of what was seen - creating an image that is reflective of the original perception through composition, camera settings and a minimum of post-production.

The book is richly illustrated with examples from Karr's and Wood's own work and a few others.  Seven practical, interesting and challenging assignments are offered to assist in developing the skills discussed.
In summary, the book presents an interesting innovative process for "deep" seeing and a useful addition to the photographic creative toolbox.

6 Comments

Save Our Bees!

6/20/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture
About 52% of our food is dependent on the pollination of bees.   The estimated value of honey bees to Canadian agriculture is $1.3 billion per year.
Bees are under threat due to our excessive use of insecticides.  We've already lost 35% of our honeybee colonies.  For more info and donations see Save Our Bees - Canadian Honey Council .




 © Keith Michael Cossey

Picture










© Keith Michael Cossey

Picture

Here's a before and after photo from PR Newswire of what our grocery stores would look like without bees.        





















                                                                                          http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130612/DA27199

0 Comments

     

     

    Archives

    February 2015
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013

    Categories

    All
    Birding
    Birds
    Fine Art Photography
    Great Blue Heron
    Halifax
    Marketing
    Photography
    Public Gardens

    RSS Feed

© Copyright  2007 - 2017.  All rights reserved by Keith Michael Cossey.
If you would like to use any of the images please obtain permission in writing from the artist at Keith@keithcossey.com