One of the reasons I love photography is that it sharpens awareness of my surroundings. I see rather than just observe. Here is an example. Nature is a gifted composer of the highest degree. Look closely at this photo. The contrast of colors, the way the oak leaf is draped ever so gracefully and the swath of smaller leaves against a backdrop of variegated green and set upon a tree stump every so artfully covered with moss. Without my camera, I would have walked on by and not have had an opportunity to appreciate such beauty--a leaf ballet with the oak leaf as the prima ballerina and the smaller swath as the ballet corp.
But is a camera actually necessary? Towards the end of last year my camera battery was punking out. It would lose charge rather quickly bringing an abrupt halt to recording images on the camera. One morning I had just started my morning at the Huntington when the battery lost charge. I had several choices at the point, I could go home, take out my iPhone open up the camera on it, continue my walk without taking photos, or I could continue with the objective of recording them in my mind. Although, I know that the iPhone has an outstanding camera, I prefer not to use it while on my photo walks because of the potential distractions that the phone represents. With the first two options dismissed, I was left with the last two which represented a difference in mindful intentions. I decided in the end on the latter. I mindfully paid attention to the my surroundings: taking note, framing pictures and drinking in the details. What a difference the walk made, rather than hasting through the garden, I bent down, drinking in details that I would have missed otherwise.
Today, I am challenging myself to stop, observe and mentally frame photos in my mind. See and not just observe. Focus my attention, appreciate the details and then move on. Will you join me in the challenge? I hope so.