Photographing To Feed The Soul

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Beyond taking pictures, make photographs that express emotion

Being house bound, this is an excellent time to develop or exercise your creative “eye.” Modern cameras and smartphones in all price ranges have tremendous technological capability. But when I look around and on the internet, they’re mostly being used to produce images that  capture or document what’s in front of the camera. Even professional and fine art photographers are mostly documenting what they see. I enjoy these images and appreciate what it takes to produce them; as a lifelong photographer, my collection is filled with them. But my preference has always been to photograph expressively. 

Expressionism    

Artists in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, tired of accurately representing their subjects on canvas, turned to express their feelings by painting distortions, exaggerations and fantasies that were dramatic, sometimes violent. Always emotional. Examples of the “expressionism movement” in painting include Edvard Munch’s The Scream and Franz Marc’s The Large Blue Horses. 

Many fine art photographers in the late 20th century picked up on that approach, but photo historians don’t consider expressionism a “movement” in photography because masters working in “Straight Photography” (Imogen Cunningham, Edward Weston, Ansel Adams) and “Modern Photography” (Chuck Kimmerle, Ruth Bernhard, Paul Caponigro) varied their styles. 

Photographic documentation involves the recording and presentation of subjects as they are. To find interesting or spectacular locations, travel was required and for many professionals, hardships had to be endured. Documentary photographs excel at providing information about  the visible world, revealing what the photographer saw from his or her point-of-view at a particular time and place.

Expressive photography is less about recording information and more about revealing the photographer’s feelings about a subject and eliciting an emotional response in the viewer. To those ends, subject matter can be found anywhere. One of my teachers at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) said “A creative person can photograph in a phone booth with an Instamatic camera and come away with a masterpiece.”

As opposed to the hunter-gatherer approach of documentarians, the expressive photographer’s challenge is to see in ways that differ from everyday reality, to image the ordinary as extraordinary. This is not to say that documentary photographs can’t also be expressive. They can be, very much so. Master photographers such as Mitch Dobrowner and Julia Anna Gospodarou have demonstrated that both approaches can be inspiring. 

Try it yourself

Technically and aesthetically, expressive photography is largely about the light and what it’s doing, so I offer the following little exercise in black and white to make a photograph that feeds your soul.  

Equipment & material

  • Camera or smartphone. Consult the manual on how to photograph in black and white
  • Tripod or phone support. You need your hands free to adjust the subject, camera and light
  • A plain black cloth. Nothing with a print or pattern, and about 4 ft. long on one side.

Light source

Use a penlight and a way to support it; another person could even hold it in place. As a specular “point-source,” it’s ideal for creating very sharp shadows. And being the only light you’ll use, it will produce a high contrast image. Penlights differ widely in color. That’s another reason for shooting in black and white, but the main reason is to take the impact of color out of the equation. An aesthetic eye is best developed by first becoming sensitive to what the light is doing, how it’s affecting the qualities of form, brightness, contrast, gradation and texture. 

Location and subject

At night, turn off all the lights in your kitchen; make it as dark as possible. Shine the penlight on whatever is there, ideally something smaller than 8-inches in diameter and without printed words. You might take an item from a cabinet or the refrigerator. Fruits and vegetables, cut or whole, make great subjects. 

Instead of pointing the light from the front as you would a flashlight, direct it to the sides, behind, above and below. As you move the light around, change your point-of-view as well. Resist the impulse to name the object. Just see it as a form that has texture. Watch what happens to the shadow as the light moves. You might want to look at several objects this way to create fascinating forms and textures. When a particular combination stands out, that’s your subject. Here’s another one of mine.

The setup

Stretch the black cloth on a flat surface. Eliminate or hide any seams or buttons, anything that could distract from the subject matter. With the item placed, move the penlight around it again.  Notice how light from the side emphasizes texture. To reduce it, light the subject from above. At some point, as you change your position and the light relative to the subject, your soul will prompt a Yes! or Wow! When that happens, fix the camera and the light so they stay in place. 

To compose the shot in the camera, turn the penlight off and the room light on to make adjustments. Go in close with the camera or phone. Exclude everything that’s not the subject, and eliminate any distracting elements in the foreground or background. When that’s done, turn on the penlight, turn off the room light and shoot. 

Edit and print 

Sometime later, select the image you like best. What you have is a digital file, it’s potentially a photograph. You could print it as is, but that won’t be as satisfying as it would be with some editing. If you have the technology, crop the image as desired—eliminate spots, lighten or darken it overall, increase or decrease the contrast and sharpen. 

When you’re satisfied with the adjustments, make a print. Because this is a photograph, not a snapshot, I recommend a letter-size (8.5 x 11) print. Critically important, if you care about making images to grow your aesthetic eye and feed your soul, do not let anyone see it! Not yet. Ultimately, the only evaluation that matters is your own.

Your aesthetic evaluation

Sit alone where you won’t be disturbed. Have the photograph in front of you. A notepad is not necessary, but a good idea if you want to continue with expressive photography. Close your eyes for a full minute or more; you want nothing else of importance on your mind. When you open them, look at the photograph and address the following questions. There are no right or wrong answers. What you’re going for here, is a recognition of what worked and what didn’t work relative to your aesthetic preferences—contrast, gradation, texture etc. When a soul “sees” authentic creativity, it provides a jolt of joy, feedback that’s saying “Do more!” So this exercise is an opportunity to discover which of your aesthetic inclinations worked at that level. Ask yourself —

  • Why did I choose this subject?
  • What about the “ground” that the subject is sitting on? Does that work?
  • Does the background work? Distract? What would have been better?
  • What is the light doing, relative to brightness,  contrast,  form, texture?
  • What about the shadow? Does it contribute or distract?
  • What worked best?
  • Does the photograph convey what you were feeling when you took the picture? 
  • What would I do differently? Given the response, you might want to do another edit.

Feedback from others 

Now, share the photograph with others, including people who don’t know you. They’ll be objective if someone other than you does the showing and asking. Considering those you show it to, pay attention to their immediate response. In a matter of seconds, are they curious about you or the subject matter? Or did they react with a Wow! or other emotional response? When that happens, you know your photograph moved them. Did the responses you got make you feel good about yourself? Encouraged? Joyful? If so—continue shooting. Your soul is asking for more.

Looking directly into the penlight

Beyond expression

Within the images we create, there’s a message from the universe about life—if we’re open to looking for it. Receiving it. I consider it feedback from the soul. 

In a quiet place and a meditative state, look at your photograph again. In what way is it a reflection of—or metaphor for—how things are? Trace back the origin of the object you photographed. What was its journey? How did it get to you? How many people handled it? Why did this subject appeal to you? This type of questioning amounts to “contemplation,” focusing our attention on a point—in this case, a photograph—and hold it there long enough to explore its deeper meaning. Besides heightening appreciation and improving your eye, one of the great benefits of photography is that it employs the light without—from penlight to sunlight—to illuminate and awaken the light within—Self (soul) l awareness.

Email: smithdl@fuse.net

Portfolio: DavidLSmithPhotography.com

Photography Monographs (Click on the pages to turn them)

There’s More to Exchanging Gifts Than Meets The Eye

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The art of making someone happy and celebrating the relationship

This is our grandson, Ethan Miller. He was five-years-old. I choose this image because it represents the kind of joy we’d all like to see on someone’s face when they receive a gift from us. The subtitle indicates that there’s an art to gift-giving because done well it’s creative in several ways—conceiving of what to give; designing, constructing or purchasing the item; wrapping and presenting it.

Gift-giving is one of the earliest traits of hominids. Holes were drilled into bones, animal teeth and stones to make necklaces and other adornments. Having appeal, they and other items were exchanged to form alliances that improved the chances for survival. With the growth of civilizations, gift-giving became a tradition. Pharaohs, Greek and Maya kings were given gifts to celebrate their accession to the throne, birth dates and to show allegiance and foster political or religious favors. In the Middle Ages, New Year’s Day and other dates were specified as times for everyone to exchange gifts. Food was exchanged to express the giver’s bounty and generosity; manuscripts and books became popular as gifts because they were expensive. 

Many indigenous and tribal cultures engaged in elaborate rituals of gift-giving. Most well-studied by anthropologists and ethnologists are the Kwakiutl of the American Northwest coast. Between 1849 and 1925, their potlatch ceremonies reached a peak. Their purpose was mainly to validate the donor’s claim to high social rank; the more he gifted the community, the more he was revered as a “Big Man.” Sometimes, contenders spent decades amassing their wealth, only to give it all away on one occasion. A potlatch could also be held for someone to save face after suffering public embarrassment. I”ve read some of the ethnographic research on these ceremonies and the extent of gift-giving was massive. The sponsor would literally become broke overnight, and the next day he’d begin again to build his wealth so he could give it away. 

Today, gift-giving is a worldwide phenomenon, each culture prescribing the what, where, when and how it’s done. In China, New Year’s gifts are wrapped in red or money is given in a red envelope to signify wealth and prosperity. A gift and its wrapping cannot be black, white or blue, colors associated with death and funerals. The Japanese place nearly as much value on the wrapping of a gift as they do its content. In India, flowers, clothes and sweets are exchanged on Diwali, the festival of light that marks the celebration of good over evil. In Russia, a child’s birthday is special for all who attend the celebration, because a game is played where gifts are hung from a clothesline and everybody gets one. And finally, gifting is an important part of Arab tradition. It brings people together and reflects the giver’s graciousness, generosity and goodwill. Neighbors exchange gifts no matter how well they are known, and if a guest expresses an interest in an item they have in their home, it will likely be given to him.

The Medium Is The Message

Gifts communicate. The message may or may not be expressed overtly, as in “I know you like dark chocolate…” or “It’ll go with your blue…” Always, regardless of what the gift is or who’s giving it, there’s a subtextual message that reveals the giver’s intention relative to the receiver. 

Some gifts are exchanged out of obligation, usually at events such as Christmas and holiday office parties, weddings, birthdays, graduations and baby showers. Other gifts come as a surprise to the recipient. Whatever the context, the choice of the gift, its wrapping and presentation speak to the relationship. Of course, the message can vary widely, conveying feelings about the recipient, the present or future relationship, attitudes about reciprocation, protocol or social pressure or beliefs about the nature of gift-giving itself. For instance, some consider the gifting protocol an imposition at times, a commercially-driven nuisance. Father’s Day, Mother’s Day and Valentines Day are examples where there’s social pressure to give a gift.

The Intention    

The giver’s intention is the all-important first question, even before considering what to give because it’s the motivating force that drives everything else. Who is this person to me? What role does she play? What do I want to convey? What do I want him or her to feel about me—and the gift? Little to nothing? Friendship? Important or not important relationship? Colleague? Superior or junior status? Compassion? Love? Unconditional love? And the many “colors” in-between. More simply, the intention is to give a person a moment of joy. 

The Gift

For the giver, the experience is pleasing if the gift expresses the intention. For instance, the big smile on our grandson’s face is precisely what his parents had hoped for. Good gifting occurs when the gift and the subtext are aligned. The item is appreciated not only for what it is, but also because it “says” something about the relationship that pleases the receiver. Examples of subtextual messages include, “I see you.” “I know what you like.” “I hear you.” “I want to support your interest.” “I want to help you…” “I love what you do.” “I love who you are.” “I hope this gives you joy.” “You’re so good at…” “You’re such a good friend (or whatever).” “You mean a lot to me.” “I appreciate you.” 

Some gifts are disappointing for the receiver. Not wanting to offend the sender, we never say so. The prime example is “returns,” gifts we don’t like or want.  Perhaps the sender didn’t understand or consider the interests, preferences, or situation of the receiver. Another disappointing gift is the one that sends an unwelcome message: “Honey, I heard you complain about the vacuum cleaner; this one’s fantastic! Subtext: “I see you as the maid.” Gifts that can, with some exceptions, qualify the joy in receiving are those where the giver gets to share in the use of the gift. “I signed you up for archery lessons—both of us—so we can go together!” Or “I got you a kayak! Tomorrow we pick it up.” Such items are best discussed before being purchased. Another example is the gift of travel, tickets to an event and consumables. Gift cards can go both ways.   

When someone hasn’t taught them differently, boys and young men are tempted to give a woman a gift that’s impersonal—appliance, tool, equipment, machinery and gadgets. There are exceptions, but generally, women would rather select those kinds of things for themselves. A gift is “personal” when it says the sender regards the receiver as a unique and special—beautiful, intelligent, capable, good, loving—person. This could consist of items that contribute to a woman’s comfort, appearance, adornment, occupation, interests or social life. Novels carry positive associations, but self-help books imply a subtext that says, “There’s something wrong with you.”

Men and boys, on the other hand, generally prefer items that will enhance their work, hobbies, or special interests, including tools, nonfiction books, electronics, sporting goods, subscriptions,  videos, competitive games, cool gadgets and enjoyable foods and beverages. Clothing can go both ways, largely depending on the age of the receiver. I tease my grandson every year inquiring about what color of socks he’d like for Christmas. Enough said.

With respect to children living with their parents, it’s advisable to check with the parents before buying a gift, both to avoid duplication and honor the way the child is being raised. Some parents don’t want their children to have certain movies, smartphones, and other electronics, video games and toys that mimic guns of any kind.

From the receiver’s point-of-view, a good or great gift can be what was hoped for, what brings delight, contributes to current interests or touches the heart. Depending upon age and gender, it can be fun, exciting, surprising, beautiful, helpful, or inspiring. And great gifts don’t necessarily equate with the cost. One of the most satisfying gifts I gave to Jennifer, our daughter, was a poem. And one of the most memorable gifts from Linda was a ride in a glider. What have you received that gave you great joy? Who gave it to you? And what did it say about the relationship? 

Presentation         

Here too, the subtext communicates. How much time or creativity went into the wrapping? One Christmas I witnessed a child, six or seven years of age, handing his mother a gift wrapped in a garbage bag. Whatever happened there, the lesson for me was that the process of gift-wrapping has to be learned. It doesn’t come naturally. My dad always took me to buy gifts for my mom, and he taught me how to wrap them. Later on, observing how Linda made each package special using a variety of materials—some of which I’d never think to put on a package—I realized that there’s an art to it. Simply put, the more time and creativity invested in the wrapping and presentation, the more effectively the intention is communicated. 

While cocooning during the pandemic is a challenge this holiday season, the spirit of celebration is alive and well, indicated by record-breaking early shopping, lighting displays in neighborhoods, tree lightings, ramped-up charitable initiatives and Christmas movies. The limitations we’re experiencing this year are certainly unwanted, but for those of us privileged to be healthy they can bring out the best in us—like doing what we can to safeguard each others’ health and invest the gifts we give with meaning beyond obligation. An expression of our intention to bring joy to someone can be as simple as a phone or zoom call or a card. Beyond the physical gift, what matters more is being mindful of subtext and remembering why we’re exchanging gifts—to bring joy to others, renew our relationships and  demonstrate peace and love. 

Receiving A Gift

When we receive a gift that makes us happy, it provides an opportunity to make the giver happy as well. How we receive a gift communicates. At the very least, if we’re not in the presence of the one who offered the gift we need to acknowledge that it was received. Whether or not we’re in the giver’s presence a simple “thank you” is flat, barely moves the enjoyment needle. Talking about the gift later on moves it a little more, but the needle really gets “pinged” when, after time goes by, the receiver provides words or evidence that the gift is being used and is very much appreciated. “That sweater you gave me for my birthday has become my favorite!” “Every morning I use your coffee mug.” “That wireless headset is giving me a fresh appreciation for music I’ve been listening to for years.” Just as there’s an art to giving, there’s an art to receiving, expressing appreciation and enjoyment for what we received.

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I welcome your comments at <smithdl@fuse.net>

My portfolio site: DavidLSmithPhotography.com

My Photography Monographs

Acknowledgment

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An expression of gratitude for an action or achievement

Dr. Albert Sabin

As part of a prime-time medical series for television called A Matter Of Life, producer David George and I filmed Dr. Sabin in his Washington, D.C. lab. An entire program was devoted to his development of the oral polio vaccine, which played a key role in nearly eradicating the disease worldwide. I offer this photograph to represent, acknowledge and appreciate the medical professionals, including researchers, suppliers and those who play a role in maintenance, support and ancillary services.  

Acknowledgement is an outward recognition that something favorable has been received. Whether spoken, written or offered as a gift, it’s an expression of gratitude and good feelings. In The Psychological Effects of Workplace Appreciation & Gratitude, O. C. Tanner says it triggers a brain boost. “The hypothalamus, which controls basic bodily functions such as eating and sleeping, and dopamine, the ‘reward neurotransmitter’ are heavily affected by feelings of gratitude. It can increase a person’s wellness, increase better sleep habits, increase metabolism and lessen stress. The greatest psychological effect of appreciation and gratitude is the happiness and other emotions immediately felt whether we’re giving or benefiting from it.”

An article in Changing Minds describes our need for acknowledgement. “When people acknowledge us, even briefly, we feel a connection with them. This is a step towards bonding and the joining of identities.” According to a study in Congruence: Aligning your people with your business objectives, “The benefit of acknowledgement is letting the receiver know that you’ve heard them or received their communication.” 

In a study reported in Psychology Today, Why You Need To Be Seen: The critical role of acknowledgement in maintaining our motivation, Dr. Craig Dowden found that those in the “acknowledged” group persevered significantly longer and completed a third more of the tasks than those in the control group. “Taking the time to acknowledge the work of the people around us can positively impact their level of motivation. Creating a culture of ‘paying it forward’ may spur a mutually reinforcing cycle of motivation, which can drive us to reach new heights and persevere, especially in challenging times. Paying attention to the work and efforts of our colleagues not only provides us with much-needed human connection, it can also heighten their motivation and perseverance.”

In her book, The Power of Acknowledgement, author Judith W. Umlas provides even more reasons to acknowledge those we know and don’t know. It “builds intimacy and creates powerful interactions, neutralizes, defuses, deactivates and reduces the effect of jealousy and envy, leads to high energy and high-quality performance, sometimes makes a profound difference in a person’s life and work and can improve the emotional and physical health of both the giver and receiver.” 

I’m reminded of a luncheon I attended at the headquarters of a large corporation. Waiting in the lobby for Heather, my host, I read their impressive statement of mission and values. I was introduced to the CEO and other officers. Professional dress at every level. Personable and professional interactions. Luxurious facilities. The details of the meeting are lost in memory now, except for an incident I will never forget.

After lunch, Heather led me to a place where we dropped off our food trays. Behind a little window, an older woman wearing a hairnet and apron busily took the trays as we slid them to her so she could clean and move them onto a conveyor belt headed for the dishwashing area. Heather and I were talking but she stopped. “Excuse me David,” she said. She turned and set her tray down, but held onto it so the woman couldn’t take it. Hello!” Heather said, holding the woman’s gaze. “I just want you to know how much I appreciate what you do here.” Heather said something else, but I didn’t hear it. A line was forming in back of me. Moving on, I asked if she knew that woman. She didn’t. “I think it’s important to acknowledge people for what they do,” she said. I asked if other employees did that. “Probably not,” she said. “But I have to.”

Indeed. Acknowledgement. Heather probably made that woman’s day. Certainly, she made mine. And the best part, her kind words left such an impression that I have ever since wanted to emulate that simple gesture. And so the photograph of Dr. Sabin calls me to acknowledge and appreciate the hard working, out-of-the-spotlight people at every level who keep the medical field humming—frantically buzzing these days considering the pandemic. THANK YOU!

 

We’re in a country that acknowledges only those who stand on the victory podium, but some of my heroes come in last. — Bud Greenspan, producer of sports documentaries, notably the Olympic Games

 

Each time I practice the power of acknowledgement I’ve given the other person a priceless gift — the gift of dignity and self-worth. — Elizabeth Kearney, author, People Power: Reading people for results.

 

Email: smithdl@fuse.net

Portfolio: DavidLSmithPhotography.com

Photography Monographs. The pages can be turned in each book.

Autumn Reflection And Appreciation

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As above, so below

DC6844

One of the benefits of a photographic image is that it presents us with a moment, usually a fraction of a second, and holds us there afterward so we can reflect and appreciate the subject matter—and possibly some significance it might have.

The live scene or situation in front of the camera is part of our continuous experience, so mentally and physically we’re always on the move with respect to it. We give it fleeting attention. Ah, nice forest, we think. Beautiful trees! And then we’re on to the next thing. Thoughts change. We loose interest. We become distracted. And the scene changes.

But when we sit with an image a while longer, a photograph or painting, the act of focused attention promotes an inner assimilation of the subject matter. Spending time with a beautiful image can have the same, albeit more subtle, effect of recharging our batteries and resetting our priorities, as when we spend time in nature or goes on a retreat. We especially recognize these benefits are occurring when the experience or observation produces an inhale, a deep “breath of fresh air.” It’s an indication that we’ve made a connection, tasted a deeper reality where all is well. A bit of the life force has been assimilated.

Beyond that, there’s more to be gained by contemplating an image. For instance in the above image the colors are beautiful and they mark a seasonal change. But what else is going on? Are there meanings to be gleaned beyond the surface appearance? For me, one consideration is the nature and source of color itself, how it’s a mental construct based on a complex of solar wavelengths, surface characteristics, sensory inputs and the brain/nervous system. I also thought about the diversity of different species of trees, how their leaves turn different colors at different time and how the trees blend together to create a “symphony” of harmonizing colors, forms and textures. And of course, autumn serves as a metaphor for change, death, transformation and renewal.

Considering the reflection of the forest on the water, an ancient adage by Hermes Trismegistus, author of sacred Greek texts, came to mind. He’s accredited with the notion, “As above, so below,” referencing man as a microcosm that mirrors the macrocosm of pure being. While I favor the idea, especially considering that it was central to the wisdom of indigenous peoples, the reflection on the water doesn’t accurately reflect the details of the forest. Nonetheless, it is complimentary. Cropped, to frame only the water, the image stands on it own as an aesthetic experience, and unlike the actual forest it evokes the sensibility of blending, merging, motion and unity.

Reflecting further, the forest as a whole represents consciousness, and the individual trees thoughts that come and go. In the “above” reality, there’s a sharp and clear distinction between thoughts. In the “below” reality, the reflection, thoughts are blending, shimmering and dissolving into one another. My appreciation here, is how an image can generate meanings beyond its surface identification—when we take the time to look and ponder. Seeing more, we become more.

 

About The Image

I took an extended trip to photograph in western Michigan. To prepare, I did a great deal of research to find a destination that was within a day’s drive to where the color of the trees would be peaking. The weather forecast was for four days of sunshine, so I packed my cameras, eager to shoot both black and white film and digital color.

As the saying goes, “If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans.” I drove a full day in the rain, expecting to have the four days of sunlight ahead of me. You guessed it—it drizzled and rained all day, every day. About two hours on the last day the clouds slightly and I happened upon this privately-owned pond in Shelby, Michigan.

The trees were awesome—as the above image demonstrates. One of the benefits of cloud-cover is the reduction of contrast, meaning the highlights don’t “blossom” or blow out as they could in bright sunlight. And the lack of contrast can easily be compensated for in Lightroom or Photoshop.

Another benefit of “bad” weather—for both color and black and white—is atmosphere. While Fall colors “pop” in bright sunlight, overcast and dark clouds can contribute to mood. When it rained so hard I couldn’t get out of the car without getting the camera wet, I drove at a crawl and just appreciated what was I was seeing. Sometimes it’s more rewarding to just be rather than do.

I welcome your feedback at <smithdl@fuse.net>

My portfolio site: DavidLSmithPhotography.com

My Photography Monographs

Nature’s Wisdom

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We can learn it the easy way or the hard way

Ecoliteracy involves an understanding of the basic principles of ecology. Understanding is the relatively easy part. The challenging part is living accordingly. Due to the specificity and complexity of this topic, I draw heavily upon The Systems View of Life: A Unifying Vision by Fritjof Capra and Pier Luigi Luisi.

 

During more than 3 billion years of evolution, the planet’s ecosystems have organized themselves in subtle and complex ways to maximize their sustainability. This wisdom of nature is the essence of ecoliteracy. We can formulate a set of principles of organization that may be identified as basic principles of ecology, and use them as guidelines to build sustainable human communities.

Fritjof Capra, Author, The Systems View of Life

Interdependence 

The first principle is interdependence. All members of an ecological community are interconnected in a vast and intricate network of relationships—what Capra refers to as the web of life. Members derive their essential characteristics and existence from their relationships to life processes. The behavior of every member of an ecosystem depends on the behavior of many of the others. The success of the whole depends on the success of the individual members, and the success of each member depends on the success of the whole.

For the reality of interdependence to translate into everyday behavior, there has to be a shift in perception and emphasis—from part to whole (From “me, myself and I” to “all of us together”), from objects to relationships (From “I want stuff,” to “I want to improve and deepen my relationships”) and from quantities to qualities (From “I want more…,” to “I want better…”)  “A sustainable human community is aware of the multiple relationships among its members, as well as of the relationships between the community as a whole and its natural and social environment. Nourishing the community means nourishing all these relationships.” (Fritjof Capra) 

 

Life Processes Are Cyclical 

Life processes are cyclical, involving feedback loops, pathways where information and nutrients are continually recycled. For instance, the water cycle and the food “chain.” Being open systems, all organisms within an ecosystem produce wastes, but what is waste for one species is food for another. Communities of organisms have evolved in this way over billions of years, continually using and recycling the same molecules of minerals, water and air. Industrial systems are linear—extract, transform, market, consume and waste. Sustainable patterns of production and consumption would be cyclical, imitating the cyclical processes in nature. In many ways and places, we are moving in that direction.

 

Complex Living Systems Require Sunlight

Sunlight, transformed into chemical energy by the photosynthesis of green plants, is the primary source of energy driving ecosystems. “Solar energy in its many forms—sunlight for solar heating and photovoltaic electricity, wind and hydropower, biomass, etc.—is the only kind of energy that is renewable, economically efficient, and environmentally benign. By disregarding this ecological fact, our political and corporate leaders, again and again, endanger the health and well-being of millions around the world.” Fritjof Capra

“Corporate economists treat not only the air, water, and soil as free commodities but also the delicate web of social relations, which is severely affected by continuing economic expansion. Private profits are being made at public costs in the deterioration of the environment and the general quality of life, and at the expense of future generations. The marketplace simply gives us the wrong information. There is a lack of feedback, and basic ecological literacy tells us that such a system is not sustainable.” Fritjof Capra

 

Nature Thrives On Cooperation

“The cyclical exchanges of energy and resources in an ecosystem are sustained by pervasive cooperation. Indeed, ever since the creation of the first nucleated cells over 2 billion years ago, life on Earth has proceeded through ever more intricate arrangements of cooperation and coevolution. Partnership—the tendency to associate, establish links, live inside one another, and cooperate—is one of the hallmarks of life.” Fritjof Capra

Life did not take over the globe by combat, but by networking.

Lynn Margulis (Evolutionary Biologist) & Dorian Sagan (Author)

“Economics emphasizes competition, expansion, and domination; ecology emphasizes cooperation, conservation, and partnership… Nature sustains life by creating and nurturing communities. Sustainability is not an individual property but a property of an entire web of relationships. It always involves a whole community… The way to sustain life is to build and nurture community. A sustainable human community interacts with other communities—human and nonhuman—in ways that enable them to live and develop according to their nature.” Fritjof Capra

 

Flexibility

Within ecosystems, flexibility is a consequence of multiple feedback loops, that can bring the system back into balance whenever there’s a deviation from the norm due to changing conditions. “For example, if an unusually warm summer results in increased growth of algae in a lake, some species of fish feeding on these algae may flourish and breed more, so that their numbers increase and they begin to deplete the algae. Once their major source of food is reduced, the fish will begin to die out. As the fish population drops, the algae will recover and expand again. In this way, the original disturbance generates a fluctuation around a feedback loop, which eventually brings the fish/algae system back into balance.” Fritjof Capra  

Each change and response is a “variable.” And the nore variables there are—and kept fluctuating—the more dynamic the system, the greater is its flexibility and the greater its ability to adapt to change. “Loss of flexibility always means loss of health. There’s always the danger that the whole system will collapse when a variable goes beyond certain limits and the system can no longer compensate for it. “The same is true of human communities. Lack of flexibility manifests itself as stress. In particular, stress will occur when one or more variables of the system are pushed to their extreme values, which indicates increased rigidity throughout the system. Temporary stress is an essential aspect of life, but prolonged stress is harmful and destructive to the system. The important realization that managing a social system—a company, a city, or an economy—means finding the optimal values for the system’s variables. If one tries to maximize any single variable instead of optimizing it, this will invariably damage the system as a whole.” Fritjof Capra

 

Diversity

Diversity contributes to resiliency. For one thing, diverse species within an ecosystem can, if necessary, overlap functions, even replace one another. If a particular species is destroyed for some reason, breaking the link in a network, “a diverse community will be able to survive and reorganize itself, because other links in the network can at least partially fulfill the function of the destroyed species. In other words, the more complex the network is, the richer is its pattern of interconnections, and the more resilient it will be; and since the complexity of the network is a consequence of its biodiversity, a diverse ecological community is resilient.” Fritjof Capra 

In human communities, ethnic and cultural diversity plays the same role. “Diversity means many different relationships, many different approaches to the same problem. A diverse community is a resilient community, capable of adapting to changing situations. However, diversity is a strategic advantage only if there is a truly interconnected community, sustained by a web of relationships. If the community is fragmented into isolated groups and individuals, diversity can easily become a source of prejudice and friction. But if the community is aware of the interdependence of all its members, diversity will enrich all the relationships and thus enrich the community as a whole, as well as each individual member.” Fritjof Capra 

 

The next few decades will be a decisive time for humanity and the planet. We face an unprecedented crisis where, faster than we expected, the ecological system upon which human civilization depends is unraveling with devastating consequences. An exciting and rewarding era of opportunity awaits us if we rise to the challenge of living more sustainably. 

Duane Elgin, Author, Voluntary Simplicity

 

I welcome your feedback at <smithdl@fuse.net>

My portfolio site: DavidLSmithPhotography.com

My Photography Monographs

Invitation To Visit “Ancient Maya Cultural Traits”

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Stela E Quirigua (Honduras)

This is the largest monolithic monument ever erected in the New World. It’s over 24 ft. tall, and 10 ft. more is sunk in the ground. Dedicated on January 22, 771 AD , it commemorates the rise to power of Lord K’ak’ Tiliw Chan Yopaat, a Maya king. On the front and back, he’s shown standing on the earth monster wearing a tall headdress and holding K’awiil, the scepter of divine rulership, across his chest. The text on the sides records his accession. The workman (top right) was erecting a thatch roof to protect it from the rain.

Stelae functioned within the ritual landscape as surrogate ritual performers. The images of gods  portrayed on them were understood as the actual manifestation of those deities, not merely a representation.

David Stuart (Archaeologist / Epigrapher)

If you’d like to learn more about the ancient Maya, I invite you visit my site for weekly postings at—

https://ancientmayaculturaltraits.com 

Topics Include

The meaning and significance of blood

Prophecy

Jade

Maize and the Maize God

Sacred Space

Termination Rituals

The Underworld

Coming of age initiation

Canoes (Dugout and celestial)

Bloodletting

Dowsing

K’awill, the god who conveys kingship

Clothing

The ball game

War & Warriors

Cages

Feasting

Dance — and more.

 

A “Divine” Sandwich

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One of my favorite fast-food sandwiches is the Burger King Wopper. (Shown here as I ordered it). I hadn’t had one since before the pandemic, so when I drove through to get one recently I couldn’t help but express my gratitude, which turned into a contemplation where I traced each of its parts back to their source.

More often I use a short formed gratitude that goes: “This (system) is so (fine, beautiful, useful, enjoyable…) I’m grateful for this opportunity to (use, consume, consider…) it. God bless its components and all those who had a hand in bringing it to me.” You can see that that usually includes many plants, animals, thousands of people and all of evolution. To get started I ask “What had to happen for this to exist?”

Not knowing the exact sources and history of the parts of a Wopper, I traced them to a general location and then referenced those to the basis of all life—earth, water and sunlight. From there, another, even quicker leap in appreciative contemplation led me to consider the eons of cosmic collisions that produced the sandwich’s elements. The step before that was the Big Bang, and before that came the unimaginable mystery that’s beyond imagining. The reason for the word “Divine” in the title of this posting, is to suggest that the divine creative process can be evidenced in a simple sandwich. 

To enhance future gratitudes that involve sandwiches, I did some research to learn more about their components.

Sesame Seed Bun: Flour comes from grains such as wheat, rye, barley, rice, etc. Machines collect the seeds from the head of the grass and dump it into trucks that deliver it to storage bins or a flour mill. At the mill, the grains are passed through a separator to take out foreign objects. The grains are then cleaned, washed, dried and passed between rollers to separate the bran from the germ. Once the flour has been milled to the right grade, it’s bagged and shipped to distribution warehouses. Restaurants create buns by combining yeast—a tiny microorganism, classified in the plant kingdom of fungi that feeds on natural sugars found in grains, fruits and vegetables. the seeds of canola, corn, palm, soybean or sunflower plants are crushed and the resulting oil is purified and refined. Sugar comes from sugar cane grown in warm, often tropical climates. And salt, sodium chloride, comes from seawater that’s allowed to evaporate. The crystals are collected, washed, screened and packaged, a process that takes about five years. Water is added and then vegetable oil.

Mayonnaise: This is a mix of oil, egg yolk and an acid, usually vinegar or lemon juice. A hint of spices such as garlic creates a variety of flavors.

Iceberg Lettuce: For American markets, most of it is grown in California and Arizona.

Tomatoes: These are mostly grown in California, Florida, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan and Tennessee.

Pickles: The seeds of a special strain of cucumbers are grown to produce pickles for sandwiches. These are pickled in brine, vinegar or other solution and left to ferment.

Onions: The largest producers in the United States are Washington State, California and Oregon.

Burger: Most of the cattle raised for beef in the United States come from Texas, Nebraska, Kansas, California, Oklahoma, Missouri, Iowa and South Dakota.

American Cheese: This product is made from a blend of milk, milk fats and solids combined with other fats and whey protein concentrate. As a blended food, it can’t be called “cheese,” so it’s labeled as “processed cheese.” 

I offer this description of elements not to promote any restaurant or sandwich, but to show how any object or system, food or otherwise, can be more fully appreciated by tracing its component parts to the source—ultimately, The Source. While the model above is generalized, the process of an imaginative reverse engineering only takes about thirty seconds to a minute or two. I don’t think the universe minds if we overlook details in the evolutionary process beyond our reckoning. What matters is the gratitude, appreciating that—and how—an object or system came into our lives by virtue of its origin and history. This kind of contemplation gives us a taste of the divine, and reminds us of our deepest roots.

If you wish to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first invent the universe.

Carl Sagan

_____________________________

I welcome your comments at <smithdl@fuse.net>

My portfolio site: DavidLSmithPhotography.com

My photo books: <www.blurb.com/search/site_search> 

(Enter “David L. Smith” and “Bookstore” in “Search)

Kenōsis: Recipe For Inner Abundance

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In 2018, when His Holiness The Dalai Lama requested the Mind and Life Institute to organize a weeklong dialogue with top scientists and scholars to discuss the ecological situation and offer ways to move forward constructively, one of the participants was Sallie McFague, a Distinguished Theologian at the Vancouver School of Theology in British Columbia, Canada. She died a year later. Her writings analyzed how metaphor lies at the heart of how we speak about God, and she applied it to ecology—caring for the earth as if it were God’s body. I was inspired by the book that resulted from the Mind and Life dialogue: Ecology, Ethics, And Interdependence (1). In particular, Sallie introduced me to an expanded meaning of the word “Kenōsis,” a term I hadn’t heard in many years but was so moved by I wrote Love—Period!, a screenplay that revolves around  the concept. 

Kenōsis derives from kenoun, a Greek word meaning “to empty out” or “purge.” Eary Christian theologians used it to refer to Jesus’ act of “self-emptying”—relinquishing divine attributes (and some say His personal will)—in order to experience human suffering and death. In Blessed Are The Consumers: Climate Change and the Practice of Restraint (2) Sallie elaborates her thesis: “We are not called to love God or the world. Rather, we are called to love God in the world. We love God by loving the world. We love God through and with the world. And this turns out to be kenōtic, a sacrificial love.” In the dialogue with The Dalai Lama and invited guests she said “Real abundance in life doesn’t come from getting more and more things, it comes from giving up those things when others need them—and living differently.” 

The first of Buddhism’s eight paramitas (perfections) for enlightened action is dama, or mutual generosity—if we have something, anything that could benefit another who needs it, then to give it away benefits all. 

The idea of “giving up” and words like “self-emptying,” “restraint” and “sacrifice” go against the cultural grain of materialism, but most religions and spiritual philosophies have from the outset proclaimed that happiness is found more in relationships than in things, and that simple living can lead to a fuller life. Sallie says “The abundant  life, at both personal and public levels, is not found by satisfying one’s ego in a market-oriented, individualistic culture, but is found by losing one’s self in service to others.” Further, noting that every breath we take and every mouthful we eat depends on others, she says “Abundant life for all (my emphasis) is only possible if some of us restrain our desires.” 

As I write, the current world population is approaching 8 billion souls. Scientists generally agree that the earth’s carrying capacity is 10 billion. It’s a hopeful sign that, in the wake of Covid-19, climate catastrophes, social confrontations and political arrogance and stalemate more of us are becoming aware of how deeply we are interconnected and interdependent with all other forms of life, and we’re appreciating the planet’s vulnerability. Sallie wrote that the “Vocabulary of self-limitation, egolessness, sharing, giving space to others and limiting our energy use no longer sounds like a special language for the saints, but rather, as an ethic for all of us.” Meaning those of us who enjoy the privilege of abundance. 

My mom sometimes admonished my sister and me to eat everything on our plate, offering the perspective that “People in China are starving.” Now, people are starving everywhere. A BBC journalist recently posted a television story on the likelihood of enormous mass migrations  given the increase in deforestation, drought and other climate catastrophes. Considering the challenges that lie ahead, the practice of kenōsis or restraint may seem like a small thing, but it’s something we all can do. And as Sallie noted, “real abundance” is making some space in our lives so others may flourish. It’s a gift we can give to the world, right here, right now.

In Ecology, Ethics, and Interdependence, editor John Dunne (1) said “We need practical guidance on what we can do.” Sallie responded to him by offering her “planetary house rules”—“Take only your share. Clean up after yourself. And keep the house in good repair for others.” Wanting to be more specific, I created the following list of guidelines. Full disclosure—some of them I can’t or don’t do for one reason or another right now, but I hold them as an ideal. They’re the kinds of activity that contribute to the practice kenōsis.

  • Satisfy wants less frequently than needs
  • Refrain from buying or replacing a vehicle that runs on fossil fuel
  • Limit the purchase of shoes, clothes or other wearing apparel
  • Leave the lights off until necessary
  • Use existing materials of any kind before buying new
  • Borrow books and videos from the library rather than purchase them
  • For short distances, ride a bicycle
  • Pick up litter so it doesn’t get flushed down the sewer system
  • Offer charitable contributions to ecology-focused nonprofit initiatives
  • Drive the shortest distance between two points
  • Turn off electronic devices when not needed for long periods
  • Don’t leave a car or truck motor running when not in use
  • Cut back on meat
  • Buy organic produce as much as possible
  • Use fewer devices that require disposable batteries
  • Use existing office supplies before buying more
  • Recycle everything possible
  • Use hand rather than power tools, especially those that burn fossil fuel
  • Ask for paper rather than plastic cups at restaurants
  • Borrow or rent tools rather than purchase them
  • Take shorter and fewer hot showers
  • Reduce the use of plastic containers
  • Take reusable cloth bags to the grocery store

In my postings, I often refer to the principle that decisions made by the members of a living system maintain and improve the functionality and sustainability of the whole by taking responsibility for the health and well-being of both themselves and the greater whole. The practice of kenōsis—restraint—is one of the ways we can directly impact our communities, nations and planet. It may seem like a small thing, but it has a cumulative effect. And in doing them our inner life is nourished and enriched. One of Sallie McFague’s great contributions to the world has been to reintroduce and ask us to consider kenōsis, the idea that by emptying our lives of certain physical comforts and material goods, our souls are filled up. 

REFERENCES

1. John Dunne and Daniel Goleman Editors. (2018). Ecology, Ethics, and Interdependence: The Dalai Lama in Conversation with Leading Thinkers on Climate Change. Somerville, MA: Wisdom Publications.

2. McFague, Sallie. (2013) Blessed Are The Consumers: Climate Change and the Practice of Restraint. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press.

3. Mind And Life Institute: In my opinion, an exceptional organization that’s changing the world for the better. The language on their Mission page is values-rich. Here’s the link: “Who We Are—Mission.”

I welcome your comments at <smithdl@fuse.net>

My portfolio site: DavidLSmithPhotography.com

My photo books: <www.blurb.com/search/site_search> 

(Enter “David L. Smith” and “Bookstore” in “Search)

Reality Mirrors Beliefs

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“The world reflects back to you what you deeply believe.” I wasn’t sure of the source of this quote, but it recently prompted me to wonder. Could the negative belief that my three novels of the ancient Maya are not being widely read is actually creating that reality? Some research explained that subconscious beliefs shape the world of our experience. (1) We get what we believe to be true. The above composite (created many years ago; someone I didn’t know) was titled “No matter where you go, there you are.” Apropos, I think.

In childhood, we develop generalizations about who we are and how the world works based on our observations and experiences with family, friends, teachers and others. Gradually, the subconscious mind absorbs information, stories and experiences and they shape our identity, personality and worldview. The subconscious doesn’t discriminate between good and bad, right or wrong, healthy or not. It stores everything continuously and creates an internal reservoir that holds our beliefs. And we measure everything against them, accepting new information, ideas and experiences that are familiar and rejecting those that are unfamiliar or in conflict. Psychologists and others refer to the overall reservoir of acquired perspectives, values, beliefs and memories as the “conditioned self.” In contrast, the “authentic,” unconditioned self is a property of the soul. That’s why it’s a more dependable guide than the ego-driven mind. 

Another finding was that whatever the situation, most people would rather be right than happy. A study by a team of researchers at the University of Auckland (2) concluded: “We saw that ‘right versus happy’ was not so much about getting crowned the winner or loser, a genius or fool; it was more about flawed thinking and a desire to want to feel like we’re in control. Our null hypothesis was that it is better to be right than happy.” 

Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.

Abraham Lincoln

The research also illuminated our powerful need for consistency between what we believe to be true and what is actually true. We’ll even arrange to be right by rationalizing, lying, cheating or creating situations that confirm our belief. What agrees with us is right; what doesn’t is wrong.  And that has considerable consequences. Dan Mager (3) of Psychology Today writes, “For someone who is emotionally attached to the need to be right, all divergent perspectives, ideas, suggestions, and actions must be ‘wrong.’ The need to be right convinces him or her of the correctness of his or her approach, while attachment to this end serves to justify the means used to facilitate it. When this dynamic is acted out, it creates suffering for those caught in its wake.” Keeping an open mind takes tremendous courage, because it requires putting a temporary “hold” on what we think is right. 

Another consequence of negative beliefs—about oneself, others, career, relationships, ideas, policies—is how they block manifestation, for instance my desire to sell more books. When we focus on what we don’t want—for instance “I don’t want John Doe to win the election”—the subconscious doesn’t see or hear the words. Instead, the mind and the energy of the universe responds to the images and feelings we hold, in particular what’s in the heart, because at that level like produces like. Negative thoughts, images and feelings drive toward and eventually evoke negative outcomes. The solution then, is to focus on what we do want and solidify it with reinforcing positive images and emotions.

Since whatever you deeply believe comes true in your life, you could make a conscious choice to believe whatever would create a happier, more peaceful life… You do not have to believe what appeared true based on past experience or continue to believe just because you gave your allegiance to it before.

Isira Sananda 

Not enough time has passed for me to notice if my transformed belief will allow my books (4) to be  more widely read, but whether or not that happens, the possibility allows me to rest with less attachment to the outcome. And that’s both freeing and hopeful.

References

1. Breines, J. (2015) 3 Ways Your Beliefs Can Shape Your Reality, Psychology Today, August 30, 2015.

2. Arroll, B, Goodyear-Smith, F., Moyes, Simon A., Kenealy, T. Being Right Or Being Happy: Pilot Study, BMJ; Research Gate, December, 2013.

3. Mager, D. Would You Rather Be Right or Would You Rather Be Happy? Psychology Today, July 24, 2014.

4. Smith, D.L. A trilogy: The Path of The Jaguar (One soul in three incarnations)

Jaguar Rising: A Novel of the Preclassic Maya

Jaguar Wind and Waves: A Novel of the Early Classic Maya

Jaguar Sun: The Journey of an Ancient Maya Storyteller

_____________________________

I welcome your comments at <smithdl@fuse.net>

My portfolio site: DavidLSmithPhotography.com

My photo books: <www.blurb.com/search/site_search> 

(Enter “David L. Smith” and “Bookstore” in “Search)

Spirit Lives On

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Downtown on a playground

A little girl saw a white man

With a camera

And she ran to him.

Take my pitcher!

Take my pitcher!

Take my pitcher!

She shouted.

When photographing in other cultures

The pointing of my camera

Sometimes caused children to turn away

And adults to turn their backs.

What’s the difference I wonder?

Was it the camera?

The man being tall and white?

How their image might be used?

What I know for sure,

The photograph of the playground girl

Makes my heart grin

Every time I encounter her smile.

Dear Follower:

Thank you for following! With this posting I’m adding another dimension to Contemplative Photography. From the outset, my purpose was to share and generate appreciation for subject matter elicited by one of my photographs.My last series was on Nature, trees and flowers in particular. Now the focus will be less on “things” and more on ideas and insights that contribute to meaning and enhanced living. The  pacing and format will be the same—one photograph each week, usually B&W, with contemplations kept as short as possible. The categories will include:

          • Anthropology
          • Art
          • Consciousness
          • Cosmology
          • Ecology
          • Evolutionary Process
          • Media (Function, influence, potential)
          • Nature (Appreciation)
          • Personal Growth
          • Philosophy (Eastern and Western)
          • Photography (As medium for personal growth)
          • Social Development & Transformation
          • Spirituality (Not religion)
          • Whole Systems Thinking

As always, I invite you to share your thoughts on both the content and photographs. 

I welcome your comments at <smithdl@fuse.net>

My portfolio site: DavidLSmithPhotography.com

My photo books: <www.blurb.com/search/site_search> 

(Enter “David L. Smith” and “Bookstore” in “Search)