Photography seems to be my primary “outlet” as of late, in addition to accompanying essays and posts. It is a humbling practice. Many many people take photographs and write, either casually, or seriously. For this reason, it is difficult to distinguish yourself and your work as special or praiseworthy amongst the massive influx of everyone else’s images and words. I appreciate all who have given me positive feedback and admired my work and encouraged me to keep it up. It means the world to me.
I take photographs to “re-align” myself with my place in the world, and to observe that which surrounds me with a more careful and astute study. It is a grounding and refreshing exercise. I believe that photography is a foolproof way to shed one’s ego and see the world the way it was meant to be seen. That seems like a rather pretentious description but that’s how I feel.
When I observe that which is around me carefully, I learn many things, think many things, and wax philosophical. It can’t be helped. I reflect on my personal beliefs, opinions, and thoughts on life, our world, and our place in it. I shall elaborate on what those beliefs and thoughts are, and how my journeys with my camera make it all that much clearer to me.
I take photographs to “re-align” myself with my place in the world, and to observe that which surrounds me with a more careful and astute study. It is a grounding and refreshing exercise. I believe that photography is a foolproof way to shed one’s ego and see the world the way it was meant to be seen. That seems like a rather pretentious description but that’s how I feel.
When I observe that which is around me carefully, I learn many things, think many things, and wax philosophical. It can’t be helped. I reflect on my personal beliefs, opinions, and thoughts on life, our world, and our place in it. I shall elaborate on what those beliefs and thoughts are, and how my journeys with my camera make it all that much clearer to me.
Many people struggle, I believe, with the notion of our role in the world. It can be an agonizing quandary. Who are we and what is our place? It is a simple, yet eternal question. We have tried to answer this question in various forms for millennia, with unsatisfactory results. Religious institutions are one way to answer this question but I believe they have come up short in regards to fully understanding our place. This is not a fundamentalist standpoint. I am not “anti-religion” and consider myself spiritual. I do, however, feel that most religious institutions do not quite measure up when it comes to moral and existential questions, and should be met with quiet skepticism.
Personally, I get a fuller “spiritual” experience with my observations through a lens than I have ever felt in any building; and I have a feeling many people feel more connected to their definition of a “higher power” through their passions than their institutions. For most of the time, I do not feel quite “myself” unless I am capturing what I see on camera and chronicling my thoughts in writing.
Personally, I get a fuller “spiritual” experience with my observations through a lens than I have ever felt in any building; and I have a feeling many people feel more connected to their definition of a “higher power” through their passions than their institutions. For most of the time, I do not feel quite “myself” unless I am capturing what I see on camera and chronicling my thoughts in writing.
Another major institution we have created to answer big questions are universities. These seem well equipped to answer concrete questions about science, history, and such, and for the most part, they do this very well. But when has being at school ever truly answered for you, personally, about what your role in the universe is and what your path should be? Some schools try to force you into a lifestyle or career path that is not you. The better ones guide you along at your own pace, but they can still only do so much.
Philosophy courses answer “big-picture” questions, but not personal ones. Guidance counselors help a great deal with career choices but their job is not to show you how to actively exist in the world, how to “be”, moment-by-moment. I am not anti-school. Not by a long shot. I very much love schools and the pursuit of knowledge, and encourage all to make full use of them. But what is one to do to find their true “place”? I believe the answer is to observe, and observe carefully all that is around you and to contemplate all that you see thoroughly. I do this through the practice of my photography and my writing and try to do it as much as I am able. This gives me a better sense of what I should be doing with my existence by orienting myself visually with images and matching my own thoughts to the world around me with my writing.
Observation is an innate and uniquely human attribute. We are highly inquisitive beings and study and search our environments very carefully. I believe our role and our place in the world, primarily, is to observe. To see with clear eyes. I believe everything will fall into place once you learn how to observe and how to see. I do this through my practice of photography. I am able to align my mind and eyes with the world around me. Another unique human talent is our ability to contemplate, to take our observations and process them carefully to form thoughts, ideas, and motivations. My writing (and photography) fulfills this goal perfectly.
My philosophy is that we are here to observe, contemplate, and just “be”. Everything else is mostly ancillary. I believe your passion is your most important thing in life, and it will guide you to a better way of being. “Doing” is, indeed, just as important as “Being”, but with careful thought and determination. We should take our steps cautiously yet purposefully, with full awareness, and do everything to better understand that which is around us, and where we fit. Once you add your passion to the mix, you’ll be in your own paradise.
I hope I’ve given a clear presentation of how my work with creating images and words helps me to better fulfill my own philosophy. Best of luck to you to fulfilling yours.
My philosophy is that we are here to observe, contemplate, and just “be”. Everything else is mostly ancillary. I believe your passion is your most important thing in life, and it will guide you to a better way of being. “Doing” is, indeed, just as important as “Being”, but with careful thought and determination. We should take our steps cautiously yet purposefully, with full awareness, and do everything to better understand that which is around us, and where we fit. Once you add your passion to the mix, you’ll be in your own paradise.
I hope I’ve given a clear presentation of how my work with creating images and words helps me to better fulfill my own philosophy. Best of luck to you to fulfilling yours.
I would like to add a follow-up to this post. I don't want it to seem like I am encouraging people to be flaky or lazy by encouraging them to just "be" and observe. I am also not encouraging people to abandon their education or the institutions they are affiliated with. Quite the opposite. Doing and being proactive is definitely just as important as existing. I am simply encouraging people to look before they leap. I actually think that the more comfortable you are with simply observing , the more active you will become and the more you will want to do! So, be yourself and you will be more curious and active in the world. That is what I am trying to say.