Contemplative Photography

As life began to be occupied by busyness, leaving little room for creativity, arts, and worship. On the other hand, I felt that my photographic skills have hit a plateau. Somehow, I got paranoid by the idea of grabbing my camera, having a wild exploration, and then being overwhelmed by hours of editing work. I was not motivated to practice and sharpen my craft anymore. Instead, I just left it on the shelf, waiting to be coated by dust. Without my camera's companionship, I felt something missing in my devotion and in my expression. Also, I missed a sense of amazement and achievement because I missed seeing beauty in daily trivial life. I constantly struggled with fatigue because beauty was absent. Believe it or not--personally speaking, there is something unexplainable--nature's beauty is a crucial source of my energy and an effective remedy for my fatigue syndrome. My friend gave me a book titled Eyes of the Hearts as my birthday present; however, I didn't read it until a little while ago. It is a terrific book, not only because of the author's excellent and aesthetic writing, but of her profound discovery of photography as a Christian contemplative practice, which I deeply resonate with. Her words and thoughts came like a sword that pierced through the very core of my being. As I was reading her book, I felt she was like an old friend who understood me. She reminded me of the value of photography and encouraged me to take up my camera and go on sharpening my craft-- a craft from God. Don't despise it because I did not see much improvement. Don't stop exercising my stewardship of God-given gift because of busyness in life... So, inspired by this book, I grabbed my camera and decided to develop a series of contemplative photography, hoping to rediscover my surroundings as well as to record and share what God has revealed to me over the course of this reviving journey. *** Poet John O'Donohue says, "The heart of vision is shaped by the state of the soul. When the soul is alive to beauty, we begin to see life in a fresh and vital way," May eyes of the heart of every beholder of these photos be refreshed and rejuvenated. ;) For some further readings, click on http://tanyamarlow.com/lady-in-red-on-art-and-being-difficult/ (Lady in Red: on Art and Being Difficult) https://goinswriter.com/art-helps-us-deal-with-suffering/ (Arts Help Us Deal with Suffering)