“Photography takes an instant out of time, altering life by holding it still.” – Dorothea Lange
I guess having over 73,000 photos stored on my phone would indicate I take a lot of pictures. It’s a diverse collection of images, but they all have one thing in common. I was there for all of them.
One of the unexpected life lessons photography has taught me is the importance of being fully present. To look through the view finder and notice every detail of what is in the frame. The colors, the light, the lines. The people, their placement, their expression.
To notice everything.
I’ve often struggled with the idea of being fully present. My ungrounded self tended to find some other place to be or some other thing to focus on. But the moment before I take a photo demands my full attention.
Noticing. Evaluating. Adjusting.
Presence.
The practice of such intentional presence has taught me to also be more present in the non-photographic areas of my life. Where what’s in front of me is essentially an oversized view finder prompting me to notice what I see, to freeze the moment, the present moment, in the same way a photograph does.
Creating a high quality photograph requires allowing yourself to intentionally notice the details.
Creating a high quality life works exactly the same way.
Photo by Reinhart Julian on Unsplash
