washington square fountain in nyc
God is at Eye Level
(This is a series of posts on Jan Phillips’ book, God is at Eye Level, Photography as a Healing Art.
For an intro check out the first post here.)
God. From birth until leaving home at the age of 18…going to church every Sunday was very much a part of our family life. I grew up learning about Jesus and God and all the things that came with it…from the early days of bible school to my teenage years of doodling on the church bulletin and eagerly awaiting the end of the sermon to take that first cigarette puff to end my nicotine craving. It had been an hour you know. Surely some of you have been “there.”
Like Phillips’, my perception of God has changed dramatically over the years. Do I believe there is a higher power? Absolutely. But as years passed, my beliefs are more spiritual in nature and perhaps that’s why I’m drawn to Buddhism. (Isn’t it really all about leading a moral life, being mindful and aware of one’s thoughts and actions, and developing wisdom and understanding? But hey, that’s for another post!) But this chapter isn’t about whether you believe in Christianity, Buddhism, Catholicism, or any of the others, but as Phillips’ puts it… it’s more about “understanding our relationship to the Whole.” “God, to me, is the universe unfolding, the power and potential within all life, the Oak within our acorn selves. Not one bit separate, but fused with us like salt and sea, ever-present in the faces, the scenes, the feelings that pass through our lives day to day.”
Her last sentence in this chapter is powerful – “Each of us listens to a different voice within, but if we are true to the voice that speaks in our hearts, the images we make will heal our wounds, mend our brokenness. If we think clearly and carefully about the power of our images, and in our looking, see past the barriers, the walls that have been constructed between one person and another, we may one day stumble upon the Divine we’ve been trying all along to find.”
To me, if we are really observing or “seeing” when we photograph…it’s those moments of waiting…whether it’s for a person to removed themselves from the scene (or to appear!)…for the lighting to provide the perfect tone or contrast…or as Phillips’ describes…”waiting for the fawn to rise up from its cozy bed of green.” (Oh, if I could only write like that!) Not to just take a picture (which I think as a photographer most of us go through this stage) but to capture a scene that has meaning; one worthy to share, to make a difference in the world, to heal.
It’s been three years now on my photography journey, and oh how I can totally relate to the message in this chapter. Looking back, it was click, click click to document, document, document my experience. But I didn’t necessarily have the feeling. It’s only this past year that feeling the moment, feeling the intimacy in this new awareness…has it come front and center. And it’s only the beginning of this new chapter in my life’s journey…
Curious. Have you had this experience with your photography, your art, your writing? Would love to hear.
Next up: Chapter Eleven – The Thin Curved Line
Joining in for the very first time? Catch up on the previous chapters!
Chapter One – Through the Eyes of a Child
Chapter Two – Seeing Our Way Clear
Chapter Three – Shifting the Focus
Chapter Four – Looking Like No Other
Chapter Five – Portrait of a Soul
Chapter Six – Speaking our Peace
Chapter Seven – Mindful Seeing, Mindful Being
There’s no question at all for me, Robin, that you have found the feeling in your images! You’ve made me think a lot about my own images, most of which ARE to document trips Astrid and I take…so we won’t forget. But I do try to squeeze some in between that are full of feeling, at least for me. You’re so right about how important that is. Maybe that’s also the difference between my two blogs?
I know I will LOVE Jan’s book once I finally have it in my hands!
Thank you so much Ginnie. Means so much to hear those words. Yes, absolutely, I see “In Soul” as more documentation and definitely the “Shutterchance” as more art with feeling. Having said that though…your photos are awesome regardless!! Soon, my sweet…you’ll have a book in your hands. Counting the days!!!
I think I must get that book. I have used photography as a healing art and this really speaks to me.
Have ordered it now, can’t wait 🙂
Wonderful! Frida, you’ll love it! I read it the first time and I can’t believe how much more of an impact it has been to re-read and complete these posts. For me, it just made me dig in more, resulting in a much better understand of my photography. Enjoy!!
dead on…..not that recording images is not great too….this is just another way of seeing and feeling photography….and it very much speaks to me at the moment….thank you my dear, for introducing this to all of us…perfect!
Oh so true! I love documenting too, but at one point that’s all I did. Now I’m focused on both! Yippee!!
I LOVE this photo! So precious.
MORE!! GH
Thanks my sweet. I love it too!
I have managed to capture true feeling once in awhile but it’s rare and not like you’ve been showing with your photos. You capture such great shots of people! I consider myself more of a writer but know that I’ve lost something there too – loss of faith, too much criticism, too much trying to get approval. I’m trying to get back to the depth I used to have.
Thanks Maery! Based on what I read on your blog? Honey, you haven’t lost a thing!