Up: [[Zen Camera]] Created: 2023-07-29 I often criticize myself for my belief that I need huge swathes of commitment-free time in order to function at my best. Everyone has responsibilities, even monks in monasteries. Social isolation leads to an increased likelihood of dementia. Avoidance of social interaction is a failing in me and something I need to grapple with, not ignore. My self-criticism is valid when I desire, as I so often do, to take commitment-free time to extremes, like having a completely blank calendar for a week or better. But I’m realizing again today that my self-criticism is also invalid, unfair, because it is *only* in wide open swathes of time that I come to some essential understandings. That has been true this week with Zen Camera. ## This Week’s Reading and Reflecting I’ve just reread chapter two of *Zen Camera* for probably the fifth time. I read it differently, understood it differently, because of the connections I made to two other readings I’ve done this week. [[Contemplative Practice]] Now I’m reading Ulrich differently. I’m paying less attention to his stunningly gorgeous photographs and the feelings of inadequacy they inspire in me. I’m paying way more attention to the processes he is teaching; the slowing down and awareness that will allow me to deepen my gaze in every area of my life, not just when I’ve got my camera in hand. The only way to ever get photographs that truly achieve what I want is to drop the idea of photography as a recording of moments in life and pick up photography as personal expression, Self-expression in response to being fully present to the world around and within me. ## Technique I’ve had the time this week to watch a few hours of the first module of the iPhone Photography course I’d purchased a few years ago. This first module is very basic, including settings for the iPhone camera app and different ways to hold your camera for stability. It has been good for me to start this simply. I’ve made a note with a few details [[How to Use My iPhone Camera Settings]] but am thrilled to know that my iPhone 14 Pro is so intelligent that I don’t need to pay much attention to settings unless I want to override something. Even HDR (high dynamic range) is done automatically in order to properly light my images. There is one thing I did learn that is already improving my photographs. It’s so obvious, such a no-brainer, that I’m embarrassed to even say it but in the name of honesty and full disclosure here it is — Turning the camera so that the lenses are at the correct angle for the image makes a huge difference. Go figure 🤪 The iPhone photography course guy (Emil) and Christine Paintner echo David Ulrich in asserting that it’s light and framing that determines photo quality. Paintner makes the interesting observation that *Light and framing become metaphors for our inner life.* ## Next Week J, I think you’re right. We could spend months on the Awareness chapter alone! I’m not sure we’ll want to go quite that far, but I am looking forward to more time with this chapter. For me, though, Ulrich’s instructions are a bridge too far. I’m only just beginning to embody and can’t even visualize the five steps of his heightened awareness process (p.68-69), never mind do them! I’ve also tried but can’t yet do the mirrors and windows self-portrait activity that really interests me. All of my photographs are too obvious. But Paintner has an easier process that will work so I’m going to do that. [[Contemplative Photography Process]] I’m going to give all of this a try this week. ## A Note to J About Resources J, I’m happy to share any *Eyes of the Heart* relevant bits and suggestions with you. Paintner’s message is the same as Ulrich’s although through a Christian lens, and it’s meant for beginning photographers like me. You don’t need this book. You might, however, at some point want to take a closer look at David Ulrich’s other book, *The Mindful Photographer*. I’ve just bought it, not because I need it but because I’m a book addict. Yes, that’s a thing 🤣. Published in 2022, four years after *Zen Camera*, this is a book of three page essays and, of course, gorgeous photographs. He does a quick summary of the key teachings of his first book, but then *Mindful Photographer* goes a lot more into his experiences as a professional photographer, how he works, and how Zen Buddhism influences his practice.