Still Life Photography
Hello Andy I would like to ask about the place of Still Life in contemplative photography. By "Still Life" I mean scenes (often of common articles or plants) which have usually been, at least in part, constructed by the photographer. On the one hand I can see that from the contemplative viewpoint they might be seen as contrived and conceptual. On the other, at their best they seem to be aimed at revealing a true perception which is very much in the contemplative tradition. What do you think? Regards Peter
Hi Peter,
That's a tricky question because the answer depends on your inner experience. A still life could just be an exercise in fabricating something you imagine. Alternatively, you could set up your objects, and use them to practice seeing. That would make it into a contemplative practice. To do this, you would have to let go of any ideas about the image you are trying to create, and try to approach the scene in a fresh way.
It would be interesting to see if you could do this, and what the experience is like. Please keep us posted.
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The Book
“This is not your usual ‘how to be a better photographer’ book. It takes you into deeper water. It requires investigation and commitment to areas new to you. Among other things, you will think about perception in new ways. If you read this book with care, and without skepticism, it will radically expand your thinking, seeing, and photography.”
—Jay Maisel, photographer
and author of Light on America
Comments
I'll do that.
Peter