The A, B, C's of Contemplative Photography - Z

Z is for Zoetic (and also for Zen and...)

Of or pertaining to life;

living, vital

   We come to the end of our contemplative alphabet and, perhaps, the most important word yet...zoetic.  It is a word rarely used but profoundly important for the contemplative photographer.

   The natural world is pulsing with vitality...the Qi of Taoism.  It is that energy that we hope to tap into when we are in the landscape..what my visual listening exercises key in on.  In the Celtic mindset, that energy is divine presence as well and, therefore, contemplating the natural world is communing with a deep rooted spirituality that pervades all things.  We are caught in that web of relationship and it is our sincere hope that our photographs will reflect that relationship.

   The contemplative photographer yearns for a true connectedness with what they photograph.  It is the force of all that surrounds us that draws us in and into a mutual interaction; responding to our desires and yielding their mysteries and metaphors...a co-conspiracy of creation.

   I hope you have enjoyed this alphabetic journey through some ideas and concepts relating to our much loved practice of contemplative photography.  If you come across a word we should include for any of the letters just let me know and I will update the post.  In the meantime, best wishes on your personal journey of discovery through your camera's lens.