« december views, and notes on being a photographer »
A few days ago, I was surfing the 'net, hopping from link to link (as you do), and I came across this post from a blog I'd never read before, Hippy Urban Girl. The post explains her idea called "December views" -- in essence, since December is often a frenetic busy time for most of us as we celebrate, wind down old years and get ready for new ones, she plans to use her blog by limiting its words, and instead expressing herself contemplatively through images, each day of the month. It is her way of slowing down, and helping her readers slow down as well.
I love this idea, and thought I would participate. So, with your indulgence, for the rest of the month I'm going to limit my words here -- I'll probably continue to write some, but not a lot -- and try to let my images do most of the talking. I think it's a great exercise in mindfulness; in addition, it allows me to be more circumspect in choosing the photographs I share with you as well. The upside is that I'll have a new post here every day this month, including weekends (just as I did last month) -- and I'll also continue to find a song of the day that helps convey my current state of mind.
On a related note: I also found this fantastic post by Zan of A Cup of Tea & a Wheat Penny, describing the process of choosing "moments" in photography. I particularly loved this passage:
Before I read the Dyer book, I told Jim that I believe that the difference between a photographer and someone who takes pictures is that a photographer imprints his or her emotion onto the picture itself; something exists in the photo that would not be there if someone else had taken that same photo. Nothing to do with light, or color — but with the way a house in his photographs might appear to be sighing, or a chair frustrated by passers-by in mine.
Yes. Yes. This is exactly it. This is the best description I have ever read of what makes a photographer -- it's not whether someone is a professional or a hobbyist, or if someone is famous and another is completely unknown -- it's all about the imprint. The emotion that is infused into the image.
So for the rest of the month, I'll be working on my imprints. It'll be like a little visual Advent calendar, I'm thinking, except it'll go through the 31st. As always, I invite you to keep stopping by and taking a quiet moment along with me. And of course -- of course -- your commentary is always welcome as we go through the month.
Song: Just another story by Jamiroquai
Saturday, December 5, 2009 at 12:00AM
Reader Comments (17)
This description of what it means to be a photographer is exactly how I would describe what it means to be a writer. (Although I would never have been able to come up with the description myself!) I was just telling someone today that when I write, I go back into an experience -- truly inhabit it again, which takes so much mental and emotional space inside -- and then figure out the words that can translate those exact feelings and impressions to another person reading it. It is hard work. But I can't imagine any work I love better.
That description is so wonderful! And I am participating in December Views too, it seems the less time I spend writing on my blog, the more time I have to write comments on others :-)
I love the mix of textures in this shot. I'm really looking forward to my daily picture from you this month. :)
i love the textures and the colours of the image here. the wintry image makes me feel cooler in this hot climate.
Darlene is the bomb, isn't she. we finally got to meet at Squam and she is every bit as lovely she i knew she would be
love that description.
it's the perspective. the emotion. the spirit of the moment that we infuse into a shutter click. it's a personal universe captured.
beautiful.
as is darlene. and, i, too, am on the ride for december views.
much love, lisa
I, too, am participating in December Views and so far, I love it. It's given me a little extra time to breathe. And in the time that I would normally be writing, I am able to get outside with my camera or take a few extra minutes for ME.
I absolutely love the quote you shared. I spent many years as an actor and my husband is a musician. We often talk about theatre and music in the same way the quote talked about photography. A playwright writes a play or a composer writes a score and the artist says the same lines or plays the same notes, but they layer themselves and their emotions on top and makes it their own. The same can be said for a chair or a tree or a cup of coffee. The photographer infuses the photo with themselves and finds the emotion in the moment. That is what I love about photography.
Thanks for all you do! I'm looking forward to sharing this month of December Views with you!
Hey are you a professional journalist? This article is very well written, as compared to most other blogs i saw today�.
anyhow thanks for the good read!
i love this idea! i am very excited to follow along. :)
and that description is simply wonderful. i love it!
Beautiful picture. Hard to believe Houston has snow before central Illinois sees some.
In response to Darrah comment and talking about actor adding a layer, reminded me of something I saw on You Tube awhile back.
I didn't go looking, but it was Kurt Russell's audition to be Han Solo for Star Wars. If that is all I had seen, I'm so glad the casting producer chose someone else for the role :)