Photography Slows You Down

I recently found this quote on photographer Nathan Grahek's website:  "Too often life seems to pass us by at an increasingly fast pace.  I am continuously inspired by photography, how it allows us to slow down and appreciate the beauty in and around all of us."  

This is so true.  Taking the time to really look at an object or person, to really be in the moment and connect, is such a wonderful thing.  Photography can be a type of meditation. 

I haven't tried this yet but I intend to.  I recently received some materials about contemplative photography that I'm really excited about.  One of the exercises is to find a subject you are interested in photographing and then sit with it for at least 5 minutes before you take an image.  Just look at it and observe.  Let the image come to you instead taking an image.   I think this might bring my photography to a new place.  Sometimes its important to be fast to click the shutter but, more often than not, it's more important to slow it down.

Here is an example of a time when I spent at least 5 minutes (probably more!) snapping away at some ferns last fall, but it wasn't 5 minutes of stillness.  Here I was taking images and searching for images.  That's not a bad thing to do, but I'm so interested in seeing the difference.

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I'll let you know how it goes.  Anyone care to join me?  I'd love to see your results!  Post a link to your work in the comments or share your thoughts.  Happy Snapping!