A contemplative photography workshop

Last month I was in Death Valley, having the great honor to co-teach with Lynn Radeka. This was my second time in Death Valley and I was hoping to go back with fresh eyes, and even more curiosity than the last time.

desert, Death Valley, Incontri, contemplative, fineartphotography

Being in the desert teaches one many lessons, other than the challenge to be in such a vast, yet so desolate place. The desert holds daily surprises and each day announces itself with various vistas of depth.

One thing that I like to talk to people about and remind them is exploring the reason why we photograph (in general) and why we photograph certain things. There is nothing special about a beautiful scenery if it’s missing emotion. It’s the darkness or the light of that moment, and mostly the photographer’s emotion looking at it. This is how I explain a photograph that transmits emotion, or goes further and makes the viewer think further or even ask more questions.

So, I argue that we can’t rely only on our eyes when making a photo, because the metaphysical place is as important as the physical place. This is where the fundamental qualities of mindful attention come in place. Asking ourselves why we photograph things that we photograph can be essential to channeling that mindful attention. Personally, the reason I photograph nature comes from a desire to connect with its beauty. In the calming presence of the living nature, is where everything is reset, and clarity is found.

There is a lot of negative space in all these photos, but only in the photos and not in the desert. The desert does not have negative spaces. The desert fills them with its silence, presence, charm, intimacy, mystery, and makes one return again and again.

The magic of the desert is nearly tangible, its solitude, its rugged beauty and allure gives ones mind the freedom to wonder, because the desert knows how to nourish the desire to explore.