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DPChallenge Forums >> Challenge Suggestions >> Zen Photography challenge
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 05/26/2006 02:18:33 PM · #1
as per this thread, how about a "zen photography" challenge? I'll leave it to others better-versed in zen than I, perhaps tejinder, to do the challenge description.

R.

Current best topic description:

Zen Photography

"Make an image that whispers serenity, simplicity, harmony: make an image as silent as can be."

Message edited by author 2006-05-27 12:41:38.
 05/26/2006 02:23:59 PM · #2
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
as per this thread, how about a "zen photography" challenge? I'll leave it to others better-versed in zen than I, perhaps tejinder, to do the challenge description.

R.


oops! I need to take help from my dear friend - google :)

Seriously, I dont really know how do "define" something which is beyond limits. Anyway, I will try to search something in related books and get back. Currently I'm reading "Zen: The path of Paradox" by one of the greatest minds (or no-mind?) India has produced in recent past - OSHO

Message edited by author 2006-05-26 14:26:01.
 05/26/2006 02:25:39 PM · #3
From aforementioned thread:
"For those who might be confused - Minimalism is the key to zen photography. So post the photos (and even ideas) related to minimalism (in photograhy ..and even beyond)."

"One thing which is noticeable in Zen photography is that "subject" does not cover much of the area on photo and it is used to highlight its environment. This is very much visible in Zen paintings also which have either bamboo forest or hills with small subject (normally Sage) in bright colors. The enormity of the environment gets highlighted with presence of (insignificant) subject."

See thread for example photos.

This would be one of the coolest challenges ever, in my opinion.
 05/26/2006 02:28:23 PM · #4
Originally posted by Louis:
From aforementioned thread:
"For those who might be confused - Minimalism is the key to zen photography. So post the photos (and even ideas) related to minimalism (in photograhy ..and even beyond)."

"One thing which is noticeable in Zen photography is that "subject" does not cover much of the area on photo and it is used to highlight its environment. This is very much visible in Zen paintings also which have either bamboo forest or hills with small subject (normally Sage) in bright colors. The enormity of the environment gets highlighted with presence of (insignificant) subject."

See thread for example photos.

This would be one of the coolest challenges ever, in my opinion.


Louis, You are quoting myself to me :) These are my own words in other thread :) Anyway, I know what to do now ... just wait till I can crunch it in three lines (hopefully...)
 05/26/2006 02:31:41 PM · #5
You Are Not Your Camera

"When our mind is bounded by the technical stuff of apertures and film speed, it’s almost certain that our intended subject will never come into artistic focus. The fundamentals are important in the beginning stages (and it’s always good to go back to them periodically), but as we progress, they should become second nature.

Instead of letting the camera consume us, we want it to be an extension of our very beings––snapping the perfect picture can be as easy as blinking our eyes. Robert Kato, Photoworkshop.com member and photographer, recently mentioned this phenomenon in the PWS message boards: “There is a methodical process that cannot be hurried, almost Zen-like, in that you physically, mentally and spiritually become one with the camera and the journey becomes as important as the visual destination. Shoot more see less. Shoot less and see more.”

//www.photoworkshop.com/double_exposure/publish/ZenPhotog.shtml
 05/26/2006 02:39:01 PM · #6
Originally posted by tejinder:
Louis, You are quoting myself to me :) These are my own words in other thread :) Anyway, I know what to do now ... just wait till I can crunch it in three lines (hopefully...)

Yeah, I know. :) Just letting you know that you do, indeed, exist.
 05/26/2006 02:41:43 PM · #7
Originally posted by Louis:
Originally posted by tejinder:
Louis, You are quoting myself to me :) These are my own words in other thread :) Anyway, I know what to do now ... just wait till I can crunch it in three lines (hopefully...)

Yeah, I know. :) Just letting you know that you do, indeed, exist.


Thanks for letting me see myself. The mirror it clear now :) I'll surely post "those three lines" soon. Its 12:10 am here ... and as Zen says- you sleep when you sleep :) I think its time for me to hit the bed and look for more on these threads in morning.
 05/26/2006 03:17:52 PM · #8
we need wording for the challenge.

"Take a Zen picture."

or should it be...

"Give a Zen picture."

or...

"Become one with your camera, then show us your tongue."
 05/26/2006 03:31:08 PM · #9
Love it :)

"Create Zen" maybe?
 05/26/2006 04:35:27 PM · #10
damn. All I know is the Tao of Photography. ;)
 05/27/2006 03:55:49 AM · #11
Originally posted by dahkota:
damn. All I know is the Tao of Photography. ;)


Just add to it a slice of Buddhism and you have Zen :) In actuality, the philosophy is merger of Chinese Taoism and Indian Buddhism.
 05/27/2006 07:04:48 AM · #12
"What is the sound of no shutter clicking?"
(ans. Pawdrix snoring)

I practice my own little version of Zen which is centered entirely around beer, automatic guns, fast moving cars and the color purple. Will any of those topics, together or alone fit this particular Challenge???

Message edited by author 2006-05-27 07:41:14.
 05/27/2006 09:15:42 AM · #13
Originally posted by posthumous:
we need wording for the challenge.

"Take a Zen picture."

or should it be...

"Give a Zen picture."

or...

"Become one with your camera, then show us your tongue."


"Take a picture as silent as can be"
 05/27/2006 11:16:42 AM · #14
Originally posted by eyewave:
Originally posted by posthumous:
we need wording for the challenge.

"Take a Zen picture."

or should it be...

"Give a Zen picture."

or...

"Become one with your camera, then show us your tongue."


"Take a picture as silent as can be"


"Make an image that whispers serenity, simplicity, harmony: make an image as silent as can be."

R.
 05/27/2006 12:06:37 PM · #15
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
"Make an image that whispers serenity, simplicity, harmony: make an image as silent as can be." R.


I really like it!!!
05/27/2006 12:17:34 PM · #16
a good place to start...miksang
 05/27/2006 01:37:58 PM · #17
Make an image that whispers serenity, simplicity, harmony: make an image as silent as can be

Perrrrrfect. I guess the job is done :) Thanks, Bear!
 05/27/2006 01:43:00 PM · #18
De nada, amigo! Original post emended to include topic description.

R.
 05/27/2006 01:45:36 PM · #19
Anyway, I think I found out the best defination of Zen which does not limit it in any way. It simply is - "This is it."
 05/27/2006 01:47:32 PM · #20
Originally posted by tejinder:
Anyway, I think I found out the best defination of Zen which does not limit it in any way. It simply is - "This is it."


Yeah, but that doesn't help one bit as a challenge description. jejejeâ„¢

R.
 05/27/2006 01:53:29 PM · #21
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
Originally posted by tejinder:
Anyway, I think I found out the best defination of Zen which does not limit it in any way. It simply is - "This is it."


Yeah, but that doesn't help one bit as a challenge description. jejejeâ„¢

R.


You bet. But it works for me. Finally my mind is at rest. Am I attaining Satori? ;)
 05/27/2006 03:25:14 PM · #22
05/27/2006 06:29:36 PM · #23
Zen loves its koans and a koan is not a haiku, but I can never quite separate them in my mind.

Neither a koan nor a haiku is a picture either, but it's said of haiku that it should be like a picture, taken from one point in time. Unlike what we normally associate with poetry, haiku does not interpret or compare. There is no metaphor. The writer of haiku imposes neither self nor opinion.

I think zen photography could work a bit like that.



Excellent example, that.
 05/28/2006 08:07:09 AM · #24
Originally posted by tejinder:
Make an image that whispers serenity, simplicity, harmony: make an image as silent as can be

Perrrrrfect. I guess the job is done :) Thanks, Bear!


copyright of the second sentence: © 2006 eyewave. (just for my ego)
 05/28/2006 08:17:34 AM · #25
so lets have a Zen photography challenge and call it 'Free Study - X'
It works for me.
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