Shifting the Focus
(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.)
The first year in NYC my focus was simply to capture and document the scene whether it was the Aids Walk in Central Park (one of my very first photos below!) or daily events when friends would visit. During the second year an obsession had started to take place. I signed up for photography courses, taking my camera everywhere, living and breathing photography. And I slowly started to improve. It became more of a passion, an eagerness to search to locate the hidden treasures of potential images. I was no longer just looking, but starting to see differently. And I also started to uncover my new identity.
Knowledge of what you love somehow comes to you; you don’t have to read nor analyze nor study. If you love a thing enough, knowledge of it seeps into you, with particulars more real than any chart can furnish. Jessamyn West
Now that I read this quote in Phillips’ book, it’s probably one of my biggest lessons learned after retiring from the corporate world. I didn’t have the patience for it to come to me. I thought I had to find it. So I searched and searched only to realize what you love somehow comes to you…
aids walk in central park, may 2009
Next week: Chapter Four – Looking Like No Other
Interesting. This must be what I am doing wrong. Thanks for today’s wonderful lesson.
Remember I have way more years of experience on you, ha ha! Love you my dear!
Cool shot. It’s funny when you get to the point where you see differently. Turns your whole world upside down don’t it?
Thank you! You aren’t kidding! BTW, Incredible photography on your site!
This quote rings so true. It’s sort of like that law of attraction…or the way in which I sometimes think of it. Love the aids walk pic. So much fun!!!
I LOVE following your journey. I’m one step behind you all the way. I’m so enjoying watching you shine frissy! GH
Thank you so much! You are a part of my journey too! xoxo your frissy
“What you love somehow comes to you.” I’ll be thinking of this the rest of the day…and will talk about it with Astrid tonight. We often discuss our photography goals, “signatures,” etc. This is good, Robin. I really do want to get this book! Thank you for talking about it here.
Thanks so much Ginnie for following along! When I read this book it really touched me. Enough that I started reading it all over again and thought what a great way to share from my heart! Big hugs!
robin, i love jan phillips book, too! what a beautiful idea to explore how her vision has affected yours – a beautiful way to reveal you! i subscribed…see you at blogging from the heart i hope…brenna
Brenna, thanks so much for stopping by, commenting and subscribing! I’m going out now to check out your site! Looking forward to Susannah’s thoughts and ideas too!
Love your blog! I have just started blogging for a class I am taking. As I was out exploring this new blog world, I came across your blog and I just had to share your insight with my colleagues. Your pictures are so full of life. Good for you for finding your passion, it shows!