What do you think?
Rate this book
Little Book of Contemplative Photography: Seeing With Wonder, Respect And Humility
Restorative justice pioneer Howard Zehr is also an accomplished photographer. He begins his latest book with a confession—"I have written this book in part to encourage myself to slow down, to heighten my imagination, to renew myself while I gain a new view of the creation and the creator." With this book, Zehr makes a gift to anyone who would like to couple photography with seeing and thinking more deeply. In each chapter he offers a Purpose, a Problem, and an Activity with a camera in order to "practice mindfulness." You'll not need a fancy camera, but if you have one it won't hurt. Zehr's chapter-by-chapter exercises are aimed at heightening visual awareness and imagination—all while doing good and working for justice. A title in The Little Books of Justice and Peacebuilding Series.
- GenresPhotographyArt
96 pages, Paperback
First published December 31, 2005
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 30, 2017
Wonderful study for beginner photographers, some interesting philosophies for all.
February 14, 2017
this was the second of the contemplative photography books I read this summer. both are pretty short - the other one had christian in the title (though this one quotes some bible verses). this one was organized differently and had less meditations in it - although honestly either one of them asked enough questions for a lifetime. this one seemed a little more oriented to being a good photographer and emphasized being careful in composition (no trees growing out of heads, etc.) I think this is a particular flaw of mine, being in too much of a hurry to snap a picture - though too be fair I'm often dealing with an impatient model, my daughter or a cat - so I appreciated the instruction. both of them made the point of "receiving" pictures rather than taking them.
this book quoted cartier-bresson quite a bit, which I felt was maybe a little too ambitious for a contemplative amateur photographer. I don't think I'm going to live up to an artist's instructions for my photography.
basically I didn't feel like I got much specific out of either book. I did a couple of exercises from the other one. however, just reading the two has definitely had an effect on my photography. while I was at the week long annual meeting of our regional quaker organization last week, I was interested by some crab apples that were beautifully colored. I decided to do some still lifes, which I'm typically not very good at - I feel very unnatural about arranging them. I picked up some black walnuts in their green hulls and some lacy maple leaves, with some sort of insect damage and went out a couple of times making arrangements on different surfaces and photographing them. it really felt like playing and once I spent 40 minutes just arranging stuff and taking pictures. I really like some of the results and I think I'm going to maintain a container of probably mainly natural objects to create still lifes with. so that's a whole new avenue for my photography, which is important, because I often feel frustrated by the desire to take pictures but the lack of interesting subjects. I would walk more if the walk near my house wasn't - although lovely - boring to me because I've seen it and photographed it so much already. I'm very tuned into novelty. this way, a walk could be a search for new things for my still life container as well as for photographic opportunities, or even settings for the still life arrangements. this is definitely an area where I can grow in my photography, so although neither this book nor the other directly suggested this, they both somehow triggered it, so they were definitely worth reading.
this book quoted cartier-bresson quite a bit, which I felt was maybe a little too ambitious for a contemplative amateur photographer. I don't think I'm going to live up to an artist's instructions for my photography.
basically I didn't feel like I got much specific out of either book. I did a couple of exercises from the other one. however, just reading the two has definitely had an effect on my photography. while I was at the week long annual meeting of our regional quaker organization last week, I was interested by some crab apples that were beautifully colored. I decided to do some still lifes, which I'm typically not very good at - I feel very unnatural about arranging them. I picked up some black walnuts in their green hulls and some lacy maple leaves, with some sort of insect damage and went out a couple of times making arrangements on different surfaces and photographing them. it really felt like playing and once I spent 40 minutes just arranging stuff and taking pictures. I really like some of the results and I think I'm going to maintain a container of probably mainly natural objects to create still lifes with. so that's a whole new avenue for my photography, which is important, because I often feel frustrated by the desire to take pictures but the lack of interesting subjects. I would walk more if the walk near my house wasn't - although lovely - boring to me because I've seen it and photographed it so much already. I'm very tuned into novelty. this way, a walk could be a search for new things for my still life container as well as for photographic opportunities, or even settings for the still life arrangements. this is definitely an area where I can grow in my photography, so although neither this book nor the other directly suggested this, they both somehow triggered it, so they were definitely worth reading.
April 26, 2020
Sometimes it’s nice to read a book about photography that isn’t particularly well illustrated. Of course this one doesn’t particularly need to be. Author Howard Zehr is more interested in exploring the philosophical angles of contemplative photography. There’s some basic photo instruction thrown in for people approaching the art from the meditation side. But for the most part it’s a small assembly of intriguing thoughts about the nature of images.
January 24, 2022
For what it is, this "little book" gives some interesting launching points to generate ideas, discussion, and exercises to play and practice with the concepts. The book leaves one wanting more, but would be good for small groups interested in an aesthetic approach to spirituality.
October 26, 2016
Different ways of viewing life through the lens of your eyes or camera as you become more attentive to shadow, color and content lead to more interesting compositions in photos and in life.
September 3, 2023
Great little book.
August 31, 2013
Fascinating look at photography as a new way of seeing from restorative justice pioneer and accomplished photographer, Howard Zehr. Ignoring the rules absorbed over time, embracing wonder and openness in seeing one's world and self. "Instead of Descartes' stance of doubt..approach life and the world in an attitude of wonder...begins with appreciation rather than suspicion...an openness to possibilities."
Encouraged to become aware of light and shadow; pattern and placement; in composing and in spiritual insights. Journalling the journey of discovery with one's camera as companion.
Zehr's own notes and quotes from various sources inspirit the reader to look anew at the familiar, remaining receptive to what the space is offering. Receive from it. A helpful chart offers definition in comparing typical photography perspective as 'taking' vs photography as 'receiving'. Focus on final product vs process; expose' vs revelation; aggression vs respect. All challenging to personal thought regarding the act of photographing and effects on the results of the act.
Each chapter of informed discussion is followed with purposeful exercises to implement and explore the theme discussed. I anticipate more amazing learning by experimenting with his practical activities. Reflecting on the results is the valued takeaway.
Zehr admits, "I have written this book in part to encourage myself to slow down, to heighten my imagination, to renew myself while I gain a new view of the creation and the creator." The same influencing reasons I chose to read the book. I was not disappointed.
Highly recommended. For information. For inspiration.
Encouraged to become aware of light and shadow; pattern and placement; in composing and in spiritual insights. Journalling the journey of discovery with one's camera as companion.
Zehr's own notes and quotes from various sources inspirit the reader to look anew at the familiar, remaining receptive to what the space is offering. Receive from it. A helpful chart offers definition in comparing typical photography perspective as 'taking' vs photography as 'receiving'. Focus on final product vs process; expose' vs revelation; aggression vs respect. All challenging to personal thought regarding the act of photographing and effects on the results of the act.
Each chapter of informed discussion is followed with purposeful exercises to implement and explore the theme discussed. I anticipate more amazing learning by experimenting with his practical activities. Reflecting on the results is the valued takeaway.
Zehr admits, "I have written this book in part to encourage myself to slow down, to heighten my imagination, to renew myself while I gain a new view of the creation and the creator." The same influencing reasons I chose to read the book. I was not disappointed.
Highly recommended. For information. For inspiration.
January 30, 2016
Great book
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews