The Practice of Contemplative Photography

 There are a number of helpful books on contemplative photography. One that I can recommend is The Practice of Contemplative Photography by Andy Karr and Michael Wood. The book is written mainly from a Tibetan Buddhist perspective. However, the authors discuss qualities that are common to all types of contemplative photography. In addition, there are practical exercises, plenty of illustrative images, and quotes from celebrated photographers from the past such as such as Alfred Stieglitz, Edward Weston, and Henri Cartier-Bresson.

 

Garden Buddha

 This garden statue of a peaceful Buddha or Buddhist monk cradling a tiny rabbit in his hands always brings a smile to my face. It reminds me of the ancient Eastern doctrine of ahimsa or nonviolence, which advocates causing no harm to all living things, a message that seems to have fallen by the wayside in our crazy world. 

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