Humans are observant by nature—our ancestors kept watch for signs of danger, learning to read the wild as a means of survival. This innate skill has somewhat diminished in the digital era where gadgets and google have replace the human element with algorithms, sensors and automated monitoring. Alas, there are still several professions which preserve the old ways of the observer, of which photography is one.
Consider the details of a finely executed photo, composition, light and subject balanced beautifully to reflect a moment in time. Is this not what we consider mindfulness? Awakening the senses to our surroundings, and embracing second by second, the evolving scene before us.
Photography has much to teach us about the ancient art of observation and for those uneasy with traditional methods of meditation, it offers a creative alternative for achieving a state of mindfulness. It connects us to nature on an intimate level and encourages us to engage all of our senses with a more mindful awareness. But one needn’t dash out and buy expensive equipment or book a flight to some exotic locale to acquire the photographers skill for observation—applying their methods to any situation, with or without a camera requires little more than your eyes and imagination. That’s all you need to sharpen awareness and awaken the mind.
Reading a few books on photography can be quite useful, better still the unique tutelage of experts in the field such as offered by The Great Courses: National Geographic Masters of Photography.
These lessons by 12 renowned National Geographic photographers offer a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at their techniques and works. The course is divided into six units: Adventure, Wildlife, Landscape and Nature, People in Their Environments, Color and Light, and Storytelling. In each unit, you’ll gain insight from two photographers into the creative process behind the striking photography you see in National Geographic magazine and other publications. Featured in the course are William Albert Allard, Stephen Alvarez, Ira Block, Jodi Cobb, Annie Griffiths, Ed Kashi, Michael Melford, Cory Richards, Jim Richardson, Joel Sartore, Steve Winter, and Michael Yamashita; plus an introduction by the Society’s Chief Content Officer, Chris Johns, who served as National Geographic’s editor in chief for more than nine years.
The insights gleamed from these veterans harnesses a lifetime worth of wisdom, not only on photography but as it relates to being in the moment, attuned to nature, aware of opportunities, nuances of the land, patterns of the leaves, behaviours of wildlife, colours, characters and so much more. As impressive as the breadth of topic and diverse subjects covered within this one-of-a-kind course, it’s the accessibility and universal application of the DVD/Digital format which makes it a wonderful guide for any and all. The stories behind each lesson engender curiosity for the wider world lending an even deeper sense of connection, experience and of course mindfulness to our being.
For more details on the course visit:http://www.thegreatcourses.com/courses/national-geographic-masters-of-photography.html
