Where did it go?
I am not a pro photographer- no formal training of any kind- so maybe that explains a lot. My question is- why do most of my photos fail to capture the essence of what I just saw? When I take walks, for example- I see all kinds of things that are amazing: color, light, architecture, one fabulous flower by itself..and the way these things are just 'right there'. Yet when I look back at the photos I took- I'm lucky if one or two even skim the surface of what my own eyes just saw and were amazed by. So...where did it go? The mysterious quality I may have just witnessed and grabbed the camera to help document??
This is where the three-part practice of contemplative photography will really help. The first part is the flash of perception, or fresh seeing. You are seeing—you do that part. The second part of the practice is visual discernment, or resting with the fresh perception (rather than just grabbing the camera). This part allows you to understand what you are seeing, what is included and what is not, and so on. The third part is forming the equivalent, or making the image without adding anything or leaving anything out. It is faithfully reproducing the perception without trying to improve it or make it more dramatic or beautiful.
If you engage in the complete practice of contemplative photography, your images should begin to convay that profound quality of seeing that you are experiencing. That won't always be possible because of limitations of the medium or your capability that day, but you will be better able to communicate the magic of fresh seeing.
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The Book
“This is not your usual ‘how to be a better photographer’ book. It takes you into deeper water. It requires investigation and commitment to areas new to you. Among other things, you will think about perception in new ways. If you read this book with care, and without skepticism, it will radically expand your thinking, seeing, and photography.”
—Jay Maisel, photographer
and author of Light on America
Comments
I don't add much to this site but I do peruse it frequently and I am impressed with how others can, apparently and simply, narrow their focus down to simplifying the subject (visual discernment) and then adjusting their perspective to capture that subject (visual discernment).
And don't forget that cameras do not see or capture shades or colors in nearly as much detail as the human eye. You may want to be sure that you have a good understanding of how your camera operates and how any camera adjustments may impact your final photos.