on Healing

Recently I heard a photographer say that he was wary of diptychs because they could be gimmicky. This was unsettling as I’ve paired hundreds of images for posts and books. I understood his point and wondered if he might be right. But in the end, I decided on this answer: It depends.

Learning to tolerate differences of opinion has been hard for me because I come from a background of relational trauma—where different translated to not belonging and feeling very insecure. Photography is a healing practice. This focused work helps me to be aware of myself, understand my emotions, and handle life with less stress. Photography helps me to expand my window of tolerance.

And all of this is a gift I never expected to receive. That I might actually show up as my complicated, messy self and feel so much love and acceptance.

Aspirational Photographs

There are photographs we admire and respect, but not love. There are pictures we love because of the subject or the light or maybe there’s no good reason. At least not one we can identify. Most often it’s about how an image makes us feel that determines its worth. This of course is subjective and individual. The beauty of art.

When I come across a picture I love, I bookmark the artist’s website and save it in a folder I call, Favorite Photographers. This folder is a fountain of inspiration—a place I return to time and time again. Sometimes I study an image that speaks to me. Like this one by India Hobson. I try to discern what it is about the image that aligns with my own style. Or what it is about the image that makes me want to branch out and try something different. I think of this as slow seeing. This strategy opens my view and gives me something to strive toward.

This picture isn’t nearly as good as the inspiration photo from India Hobson. But it’s on the way toward that kind of photograph where landscape and space are the main subjects.

Standing Still

"Let me keep my mind on what matters, which is my work, which is mostly standing still and learning to be astonished."
—The Messenger by Mary Oliver