A condition of knowing or perceiving. Having knowledge. Being cognizant of a situation or fact in the moment. Being awake.
An aesthetic and so much more There’s an intrinsic satisfaction, an aesthetic pleasure, that comes from the experience of light when it plays a prominent, sometimes dominant, role in a photograph or painting. The works of masters such as Rembrandt, Turner, and Hooper are largely characterized and revered for the qualities of light they depict. Light […]
Principles underlying information in human communication I was thinking about the complexity represented in this image when I noticed that it’s also rich in context, providing both time and space perspectives. The nighttime and elevated point of view displays pattern, while the time-exposure reveals motion. Combined, the image speaks to me of complexity, interaction, order, […]
Advancing toward the light of increased awareness In this image I reflect on the notion of “reality,” that what we experience and know is both an individual and social construct. There’s the reality that I, as the photographer, experienced—the bright sun and the people on the hill. Part of that reality includes cars in a […]
Evolution’s main principle for survival One of Darwin’s principles of evolution became popularized in the phrase “survival of the fittest.” The problem with memorable slogans like this is that they simplify complex phenomena. In this instance, Darwin’s observations were correct, but his interpretation missed the mark. Scientists now understand that “fitness” does not necessarily mean […]
The tulip story begins in Central and Western Asia when the bulbs were brought to Turkey by nomadic tribes about 500 years ago. The Turks considered them to be jewels, but it was the Persians who named them “tulipant,” their word for turban which described the shape of the flower they often wore in their […]
In considering light as an aesthetic tool, there are two common situations in photography: light that reveals subject matter in its natural condition and light that enhances the subject through management. The factors contributing to management relate to the manipulation of the source—the light’s color or “quality,” intensity, direction, and modifiers, how it’s made more […]
I recently had a dream where I was walking around a gallery where the large black & white photographs on display were all in “high key”—white subjects on white backgrounds; some grey values but no deep blacks. It’s a technique I found very challenging over the years. My results were very spotty. Working with […]
Look closely at this image. Anyone who has engaged in sustained creative activity, irrespective of medium and expression, has encountered a multitude of “happy accidents,” positive outcomes that occur spontaneously, without intention or planning. The occurrence of a dragonfly in this image was one of them. Somewhere in my early sixties I’d experienced so many […]
Dear Followers: I’m in the final stage of formatting my novel for publication, and devoting more time to producing new work in preparation for a major exhibit, so for the summer months I will post an image each week, but with only a comment or quote rather than my longer contemplations. Also, this allow me to share […]
Welcome to Contemplative Photography, a weekly offering of photographic images with accompanying contemplations intended to demonstrate an approach to photography that contributes to appreciation, awareness, perception and the development of a personal aesthetic. Although the act of making photographs of any kind can be cause for appreciation and reflection, the practitioner of contemplative photography is […]
Contemplative Photography 