Lion by Natalie Galea
Recently, I’ve mentioned that I use photography as a meditation tool, and it seems to have resonated with some in a way that other terms, like “contemplative photography” sometimes don’t.
Pretty much everyone has some idea of what meditation is, whether they practice it or not. Meditation is about being present and noticing your thoughts, but not identifying with them; realizing that your thoughts are not you. They are constantly changing.
I’ve talked a lot about my experiences with photography as a meditative or contemplative practice, so on this post I am going to let two friends share their experiences. Each of these women had never thought of taking pictures as a meditative tool before, but realized that it actually was for them too.
First is Natalie Galea, who lives and works in Dubai, and took the wonderful shot of the lion above on a recent trip to the Serengetti in Africa. To me, this lion looks as if he (or she) is meditating. Here is Natalie’s experience, in her own words.
“July and August are known as the migration period in the northern Serengetti of Tanzania where wilderbeest head north in their thousands. I recently returned from photographing this. In addition to witnessing the amazing array of animals thriving in the Serengetti, being so focused on the subject, the light, the angle, the perspective turned a safari into a meditative experience.
My focus was centered on the present, on ‘that’ moment of my subject moving and interacting in their natural habitat. Nothing else mattered. I was absorbed. In the moment. Photography as a meditation brought me clarity, lightness and a sounder feeling of self, as well as an amazing selection of photographic memories and an experience never to be forgotten.”
Clarity and lightness. I love those words, Natalie. Natalie mentioned to me that it wasn’t until afterwards that she realized that it was a meditative experience for her.
Pamela Malo, a holistic nutrition expert, deliberately set out to photograph with a meditative mindset. Here is what she shares about her experience.
and the journey begins by Pamela Malo
“Have you ever heard a phrase and not been entirely sure what it means, but have completely resonated with it? When Kim mentioned the phrase “photography as meditation” my immediate response was ‘Yes!’ despite not being entirely sure what it meant.
The following day I decided to use Photography As Meditation as an Artist Date with my inner artist. I set out on a walk, camera in tow and decided to offer it up as a gesture of gratitude to Minneapolis, my temporary home for the last six weeks. Although I move often, and think “thank you“ are two of the world’s most beautiful words, I had never thanked a place before, but it felt really nice. As I walked along the road I allowed the memories of all the lovely souls I met, places visited, and times of laughter and tenderness and tears bubble up. It was lovely to give them space to arise, and to appreciate instead of judge them.
Pamela Malo
It wasn’t long before this gratitude gave way to an awareness of the beauty around me in every direction. The buzz of the crickets, the hum of the cars, the clouds in the sky, the sound of my shoes on the ground. I took out my camera and began taking photos, not quickly like I often do, but as if each one was it’s own work of art. Everywhere I looked, there was beauty. The wooden bridge across the marsh. The bees and beetles buzzing in the wildflowers. The flowers glistening and heavy with the morning dew. I played with perspective – getting an ant’s and an owl’s perspective, and played around with the ISO, f-stop and shutter speed. There was no objective or goal… just a desire to be with what was already there and notice.
And suddenly, I knew exactly what photography as meditation was. It was the same as meditation on a cushion, but with a camera in hand. All the same principles apply. Bring awareness to what is happening in the movement. Notice what shows up. Breathe in. See what is there. Breath out.”
Gratitude and beauty. Yes. Thank you, Pamela.
How about you? Have you had an experience of photography as meditation?