“Sell your cleverness and buy bewilderment.” -Rumi
One of the trickiest things, I’ve found, about making images is the simultaneous need for experience and innocence. On one hand, we want to bring our years of experience to bear in the studio. On the other, we want to be able to see as if for the first time; an adventurous and inventive eye must not be hobbled by what it thinks it knows and sees.
This summer, I’ve been walking the same route through the fields, almost daily, and like to practice seeing things with a fresh perspective. A few times, I’ve taken my camera, and it has been so fun to look through that magic window and see how limiting the view can sometimes expand how I see.
Artistic perception is this great elastic thing that must be exercised to stay limber and responsive. Ironically, doing something repetitive is sometimes just the thing to practice keeping things new.
And this was the inspiration I needed. Thanks for the reminder.
i needed this, too, as i head home soon to a small island where there seems to be no new inspiration. it’s there, as well as within me; i just have to dig deeper.
Very nice – different vantage points. Sometimes I get so caught up in life I forget to really “see” things. Looks like you’ve been doing that.
These are really lovely photos. I can see the connection between your inspiration and your daily walks.
I too love to do photo treasure hunts – great for refilling the well of inspiration.
Thank you for your wisdom. I have had the best intentions to take my camera out for a walk. For some reason I have been putting that off. Now I will do it.
I was treated to the sight of two magnificent mountain bluebirds today….no camera handy:(