The Art of Seeing – Week 4

Quote of the day: “Once you have tried these exercises, you will notice a definite–possibly a dramatic–improvement in your powers of observation. You will also discover powers of imagination you didn’t know you had…You will have more ideas for photographs than you ever dreamed possible, and be itching to reveal your new awareness of the world around you.” ~  Freeman Patterson Photography and the Art of Seeing

Rosemary plant - noticed the graceful curve of two leaves

This week’s Art of Seeing exercise comes from Freeman Patterson’s Photography and the Art of Seeing.  The exercise is as follows.

Set aside a minimum of three one-hour periods this week for making pictures.  Choose something in your home–inside or outside–that you want to photograph.

Before making any photographs, go to a comfortable chair and relax completely, following the breath and relaxing your muscles until limp.  Empty your mind. After 15-20 minutes, get up, pick up your camera, and start making photographs of the object you selected earlier. Stay relaxed and spend as much time as you want observing.  You can make only 2 or 3 pictures if that is all you feel like. Don’t critique your pictures or worry about whether they are any good. Just have fun.

That’s it.

I had great fun doing this exercise and found that I did indeed observe more than I usually do.  Here are some of the photos I took (along with a little bit of what I noticed when I made them).

Entranced by the light reflecting off plant pot

Loved the play of the green leaves against the colors of the placemat in the background

Intrigued by the fuzzy green underside of the flower

Focused on the colors by chosing to take unfocused shot - shows color play without detail

Took intentional unfocused shot to convey the rhythm of the flower petals