Tuesday, January 7, 2014

The Five Ways of Contemplative Photography: Part Three

3.  With the Eyes of the Poet

   When you approach your world in this way, with the eyes of the poet, you bask in the lyrical qualities of nature.  The metaphors are paramount.  Nothing is as it seems but everything stands in for other qualities and characteristics.

   The curving, undulating path that journeys through shadow and light can represent life.  To another, the non-poet, it may be simply a way of progressing through the landscape and staying on it is important otherwise, why is it there?  The poet knows beyond mere knowing.

   Some people, and hence, some photographers, seem to have a natural tendency to this way of being.  I know that it is a way I've looked at the world all my life as soon as I learned the concepts of analogy and metaphor.

   For the poetic contemplative photographer, the journal is as essential as the camera.  The poet is inspired by words and their relationship to the visual image.  Reading poetry is a great way to focus attention and quiet the mind.

   It is a vital practice for me as a contemplative photographer, this metaphorical thing.  Although I make no claims to being a literal poet, I would confidently claim the eyes of a poet.

Footnote:  Today is the second anniversary of the start of A Photographic Sage!  This has been such an amazing journey for me and I hope you have enjoyed the odyssey as well.



  

6 comments:

writeon1950 said...

Congratulations on your Anniversary!!
Thank you for sharing your particular way of seeing the world.

Patricia Turner said...

Thank you! The time has flown by. What really amazes me is that every day I find these breadcrumbs of inspiration that lead me to new and unexplored territory. Nature never ceases to whisper in my ear!

Mystic Meandering said...

"Photography as poetry." I definitely feel that as well, as if the camera itself "writes" the poetry we see! Interestingly it's usually the dance of shadow and light of abstract "things" that captures me... Even just a wisp of light and shadow on a wall...

Congratulations on 2 years... Wonderful odyssey. Glad to be along.

Patricia Turner said...

Thank you! In the blogosphere it is positively ancient! Glad to have you along for the journey!

Bret said...

Happy Anniversary! I just found your blog a couple months ago but have really enjoyed what I've read so far.

Hope you'll be celebrating many more anniversaries in the years to come. Blessings! ~Bret

Patricia Turner said...

Thank you Bret! I hope it continues as long as the landscape keeps whispering in my ear, I'll pass it on!