The Belief behind my Art of Seeing in Photography

-->

The early days of photography but influenced by the photographer's world view.

I recently gave a presentation to a photography group on the Art of Seeing.

This expansion on that idea was prompted by a  post on fstoppers about a Photographer’s new book and the much philosophizing he does on his blog and in the book about what is behind his photography.

What drives it.

In effect how his world view shapes his photography.

I admire his photography but don’t agree with his world view.

All of us who create in writing or in art or photography are biased and influenced by our world view.

The Erotic novelist more than likely will have a world view that says practically anything goes as they don’t have a values belief that restricts them.

They may have some humanist type morals to a point that does influence some of their writing and stops them from going “too far!”

The same can be said of Painters and Photographers, Musicians, Sculptors,Film Makers and any of the Artistic endeavors.

The person ,like me who believes in a creator, a personal God, and believes in the “rules” “laws” “commandments “ of conduct governed by that creator will always be tempered in what they photograph,paint,sculpt, write  etc.

The believer will do so if they are serious about their relationship with their Creator,God.

Some believers may want to sit on the fence a bit on some things.

They don’t want to be too ridiculed for their beliefs so their life is like a circle.

In the middle of the circle is Jesus(God)

The circle is the sphere in which they move and live and have their being.

The circumference of the circle is like a boundary between them and the greater disbelieving world at large.

The problem is many Christians want a foot in both camps.

They sit on the fence on the outer not too close to where Jesus is in the centre.

Very dangerous when we consider what happened to Lot’s wife.

When Sodom and Gomorrah was being destroyed she was told not to look back but she did and was turned into a pillar of salt.

So such Christians may present work which the non Christian looking on will identify as a bit hypocritical.

People who aren’t Christian funnily enough often know when a Christian has crossed that fence.

So here are some of the things that are behind how I “see” a photograph.

When photographing a baby or children I am celebrating this new young life that God has created in their mother’s womb.
The miracle of birth.

Created in God’s image of Body,Soul and Spirit.

We are fearfully and wonderfully made the Bible tells us.

Created with a disposition to sin but with the potential to know our God and creator and to be set free from the bondage that sin will surely bring.

Created with the potential to be born again.

To be born once is fantastic, to be born again is even more wonderful.

When I photograph a wedding I am celebrating the institution of marriage created by God.

I am celebrating the fact that the couple have chosen to follow God’s plan for marriage and families even though they might not yet be Christian.

When I photograph a landscape I am glorying in what God  has created and I want to share it with someone else.

God is a breathtaking artist.

He creates on a new canvas each new day.
I want to share that with others.

When photographing Flora and Fauna I am celebrating the miracle and diversity of creation as outlined in Genesis and expanded on elsewhere in the Bible.

A celebration of the pure science involved and implemented by a big God.

When photographing Family occasions I am celebrating the Family as God’s model for us to live within.

I am creating happy memories for people to reflect on.

Notwithstanding that some families are damaged through divorce and other tragedies, they still can know God’s provision in their lives.

When photographing happy occasions I am celebrating the joy that as humanity we can share together whatever our differences.

I may also have occasions, and some people specialize in this, of using my camera for God.

Photojournalist telling it like it is in war zones, exposing injustice.

I may also like to show people who may have mental or physical disabilities,or suffer from social deprivation, that photography, like art can be a great therapy.

Much has been written about Phototherapy on the internet and in print.

As we use it as a creative outlet I believe the creator can minister to us.

So my photography is influenced and governed by my Faith in Jesus Christ.

By my understanding that He is also my creator.

I am willing to let God’s teaching and revelation in the Bible govern my actions as I know that my loving God is far wiser than I am and does not ask me to do anything that is not for my own good.

Many unfortunately worship creation rather than the creator.
 They worship evolution rather than examine the facts as they don't wish to acknowledge God might just have some say in their life.

That is live in Him, follow Him, allow Him to control me.

So that;s a glimpse of what motivates me as a photographer.

-->

Photography for sufferers of Parkinson's Disease

I am in May scheduled to spend some time with a Photography Group that is run by Parkinson's South Australia.
This is for people who suffer from Parkinson's disease.
The group has been running now for some time under the co-ordination of Anne Heard.
I have put together some thought starters for ideas that people might like to pursue in photography,not withstanding the limitations of Parkinson's Disease.

-->

WAYS TO TAKE CREATIVE PHOTOGRAPHS FOR SOMEONE WITH PARKINSON’S DISEASE

Here are some suggestions re techniques and projects that should not be hindered by an unsteady hand or movement.

1.     A bit obvious: use a tripod as much as possible .

2.     Choose subjects that really need you to use a tripod.

3.     Use your flash creatively to freeze action and thereby overcome camera shake.Indoors at night or outside in daylight with high speed flash and high speed flash synchronization.

4.     Use a remote control device.

5.     Extend your photography to video capture.Video is best done utilizing a tripod.

6.     Utilise anti shake lenses and/or anti shake camera bodies.

7.     Choose shutter speeds and lenses that will minimize shake.

8.     Experiment with time lapse photography.A tripod is needed.

9.     Use your disability creatively.Take deliberately blurred photography.There are many examples where this is pleasing to the eye.

10. Create picture books on a mac or at Harvey Norman etc.

11. Create a blog to share you photos and/or sell them.

12. Start your own youtube channel. Share short films and your story to encourage others.

13. Some cameras have focus trapping. Learn how to use it.

14. Investigate wildlife photography with radio triggering cameras.

15. Learn how to use a scanner to resurrect old slides and prints.

16. Prepare slide shows so you can visit places like elderly citizens nursing homes to entertain and inform.

17. Join various online photography groups or start your own.

18. Learn how to paint with light at night using a hand held flash. 
19. Have a small wheat bag or bean bag with you on photography excursions that can be rested on a post or car door to steady your camera.
20. Use the piece of string or rope trick. Attach the string to the bottom of your camera via the tripod socket with a suitable screw(maybe the leather looped grip from an old camera). With string all the way to ground with large washer or piece of wood attached, pull upward on the camera and string to steady your camera.   A "tripod" that fits in your pocket.  
21. Purchase a "gorilla" pod that can wrap around posts etc.

Yet More on Photography as Therapy

Below is a link to a new episode of Australian Story on the ABC

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-03-10/australian-story-david-rennie-an-unnatural-history/5306836

Note the video is no longer available on line but you can read about David Rennie and his use of photography as therapy.

More on Photography as Therapy

There's a new book out that is encouraging photography as therapy. I have written about this concept earlier.
To me taking a photo and contemplating about it, and another,and another is a bit like "taking time to smell the roses"
To me God's beautiful creation is spirit lifting if we look at it through eyes of wonder.
Here is the ABC link below to the new book.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-11-04/matthew-johnstone-capturing-mindfulness-photography/5068492

Mindfulness seems to be the new catch phrase at the moment.
I believe in being mindful of the people in my life and around the world and doing as best I can to let my mind be as much like the mind of Christ as possible.

Photography as Therapy

Break down the barriers. This is not Forrest Sargent

I have written on the idea of Photography as Phototherapy before.
Below is a link to an article about Forrest Sargent who has used photography to communicate through his Autism.
A wonderful story. All the best Forrest.

http://www.quirksee.org/2013/09/03/forrest-sargent-autism-letterboard-rapid-prompting-method/

The Family Photo Historian.

Are you your family's photo historian?
At this point in time I think I certainly fill that role.
Not something I deliberately set out to do but just happenned as I am and was a passionate photographer.
I have always wanted to document events.
Family occasions
Weddings
Sports
Funerals
Holidays
Vehicles
Babies
Pets
Birthdays
Baptisms
Sermons
The list of human events in families is endless of course.
I have done this for many years with still photography,movie film and video,film and digital,audio recording(cassettes,reel to reel,digital).
Of course before that my father,father in law and uncles did the same with the technology of their  day.
I have recently been going through all my film collection of negative and prints to put together a farewell album for one of my wife's employers spanning more than 25 years.
I am staggered at the extent of the collection.
When you are a blogger with a collection like that your blogging topics and potential articles are endless.
It has been and still is an emotional experience reviewing my collection.
Many loved ones have passed on.
Sadly there are also relationship breakdowns that tug at the heartstrings.
Many of my wedding customers from past years have also experienced both joys and heartaches.
With the accessibility of today's amazing technology many of the younger ones are now doing similar things.
I guess it means I have plenty to do in my old age and some of the collection, as it ages, becomes useful to others.
It's not a high paying job but can become a labor of love.

Can a Blind Person Photograph a Wedding?

Last week I attended a seminar with a professional photographer about the business side of wedding photography.
There were lots of young hopeful budding entrepeneurs there and they probably found something useful.
My problem with photography is that I see it more as a tool for social and personal  change and enjoyment and expression than as a money making exercise.
Hence I have never become rich on earnings from photography and never will be.
It was mentioned during the seminar how amazed the studio was  when a blind person ordered a substantial number of expensive prints.
There was a purpose in that story relevant to the night but it made my mind wander(it often does) back to an  article I had read some years ago about people who were blind doing photography.
The people I read about at the time told how they could take pictures while on holidays and come back and share their snaps with family and friends.
Just like sighted people.
It gave them a sense of belonging,normalcy and well being.
So my mind quickly raced to thinking in this day and age with the marvels of modern technology could a blind person photograph a wedding?
I decided they could to a certain extent but would need some assistance and would more likely be the second shooter.
Bear in mind that not all people who are legally blind have no sight at all.
After all there are blind cricket teams that enjoy playing cricket.
So I googled blind wedding photorapher and eventually came to the website below.
These are some wonderful free resources.

http://www.photovoice.org/shop/info/methodology-series

Here I found an amazing organisation that is based in the UK  and has run workshops on how to use photography to enable marginalised groups of people to find a voice and creative outlet for self expression and personal  growth.

These include:

Young refugees

Vunerable Women

Blind People

I find the reports and how to's very well presented and would encourage people who are photographers and have a sense of social conscience to explore this website and other similar organisation they are linked to.
I find this subject compliments my previous posts on Phototherapy and Using Your Camera for God.

http://geoffthompsonsblog.blogspot.com.au/2011/09/phototherapy.html

http://geoffthompsonsblog.blogspot.com.au/2011/06/using-your-camera-for-god.html

So congratulations Photovoice and have a go photographers.

I would be pleased to hear from any who have been involved in this type of work.

 9/12/15 Have just added a link to a docco on blind photographers.

https://fstoppers.com/documentary/beautiful-behind-scenes-video-offers-insight-how-blind-photographers-work-101989

"I will look to the hills from whence cometh my help?"

In a sermon on this blog called "From Darkness to Light" Frank Hunting talks about a lady who suffered from intense mental health problems.
He outlines how the verse outlined above, which is found in the Psalms, was the catalyst that started her on the road to full recovery.
You should listen to the whole sermon to appreciate what Frank was saying.
http://geoffthompsonsblog.blogspot.com.au/2012/08/from-darkness-to-light-by-frank-hunting.html

This verse comes to my mind when I recount yet another encounter with birds that I had a couple of years ago now.
We were visiting Renmark relatives and I was in the  grip of a deep depression.
We were as a family out driving on Calperum Station near Renmark.
We stopped to photograph and look at some kangaroos near to the road.
My depression at the time was unrelenting with the so called "black fog" or "black dog"gripping me.
While parked, in the distance, we saw a group of emus coming towards us over a rise in the distance.
For rise think hill.
Emus are very curious birds and they slowly walked towards the car from about 500 yards away.
I started to take photos as they approached.
They came right up to the car and were not deterred when I opened the front passenger door to get better un-interrupted views.
All up we were  probably stopped for about half an hour while I snapped photos.
During all of that photo shoot time I was symptom free.
The symptoms returned as soon as we started for home again after I had stopped shooting.
I am aware that when you are in the grip of depression it is because you cannot get your mind off yourself and whatever might be troubling you.
Sometimes you may not even know what is causing the depression.
What I have learned over the years, when having had some tussles with this condition, is  that it is not a problem that is unsolvable.
The fact that you can be totally sympton free in situations like outlined above should be helpful in saying to yourself "I can get better".
"I do have a future."
When we are a Christian we sometimes find depression harder to deal with because we think we are failing in applying our faith.
This is not the reality of the situation but we don't always look at the reality of things.
The Bible teaches that "Faith comes by hearing and hearing comes by the word of God."
I found it hard to take medication for depression when I believed I shouldn't need it if I had more Faith.
Revisiting my Faith and scripture and things I knew to be true were important factors in my recovery. 
I have dispensed with the medication at least a year ago now.
If you are suffering from depression now, and you are a Christian ,Jesus will bring you out of it.
Consider the following posted earlier on this blog.

http://geoffthompsonsblog.blogspot.com.au/2011/09/in-times-of-trouble-and-trial.html

The rise in the distance is the"hill" from whence came my help.

"Next to Normal"

Les and I went to see the Adelaide production of "Next to Normal" tonight at the State Opera Studio which is conveniently close to where we live.
It was a superb production and performance and very dramatic and real in many ways.
I am sure anyone who was there could identify with the family in the cast and the situations.
It certainly was a focal point for the scourge of mental illness and it's impact on families.
It was a tragic story but left one feeling there was hope without suggesting how that might be achieved.
It was also a promotion for MIFSA an organisation providing support for families and individuals affected by BI Polar and other mental health conditions.
I very sparingly give standing ovations as it is not in my nature to be so demonstrative but I did so tonight.
Look up the link below to read more.
Follhttp://www.next2normal.com.au/

See link below for information about MIFSA

http://www.mifa.org.au/about-mifsa

It was of interest to me,as a photographer, and someone who is aware of the benefits of photography relating to mental health, that during the play the mother with Bi Polar was going through family photos trying to make up for  loss of memory caused by Electro Convulsive Treatment(shock therapy).
I have talked about Phototherapy elsewere on this blog and below is a link to ore information on this.

http://www.phototherapy-centre.com/five_techniques.htm

Which Desert?

used iphoto special effects

See the blog "Which Desert is this?"

Smarter ones will of course have worked out it was not a Desert at all.
On our way back from Echuca I took some shots of an amazing cloud formation from the window of the car.
I wasn't driving.
A little bit of manipulation and you have a suspended desert.

Phototherapy

What is phototherapy?


I discovered there is a world wide movement of this.
Just google it.

Some programmes I would endorse and some I wouldn't.

For some people taking photos is a creative therapeutic  activity in itself.

How other people photograph us gives insight to our place in their world

How we photograph ourselves in a self portrait helps us to express how we feel.

Looking at our family albums can be helpful in reviewing our life so far.

What we like to photograph may reveal something of our goals and dreams and our view of our world.

For a person with a disability photography can be a way to open up a creative outlet and also to develop a feeling of purpose and connection  in life that may be missing

Modern technology means that most people have a possibilty of being a creative photographer
Even blindness does not prevent someone from being a photographer


Creating a relaxation slide show with music can have a very positive outcome
Share them with friends and help others

Phototherapy  with a counsellor can bring about new insights and possibilties of healing to a troubled life.

By viewing your family album(s) and perhaps a wedding album with a counsellor you can  use discussion about the photos to explore how you feel about the people in your photos and how you feel about your relationship to them.

An appreciation of the natural world through photography and your camera viewfinder can lead you to a faith in the Creator who loves you.

Some Australian Photographers who have partly found their faith while capturing the creation are photographers such as;
Ken Duncan
Pete Dobre
Jocelyn Burrt
Geoff Thompson

Byusing creative visualisation and photography you can bring the Creator into your life.

Using your imagination you can create:

A slide show featuring scripture illustrating our place in the world and God’s purpose for us.

A slide show using images and audio tapes  to help free bound up people. (or just
 watch some of the great wildlife documentaries like "Travelling Birds" )

A prayer photo gallery for the use of photography in interceding prayer.
By regularly viewing such a gallery and praying for the people pictured.
Frank Laubach in his book "Prayer, the Mightiest Force in the World" floats the idea of putting pictures of people you need to pray for on a wall and in a darkened room shine a torch on them one at a time and pray for them.
My idea is just an extension of that.

Over the last two and a bit years I suffered a serious bout of Depression.
It is now behind me.

Spinifex Pigeon Central Australiia

Wedge tailed Eagle  Central Australia

During the initial stages I could not even look at family photos or pick up a camera.
But God in part used my passion for Photography, birds in particular, to help lift me out of the depression.

Wedge tailed Eagle  Central Australia

Zebra Finch Central Australia

There was a lot more to it than that but in the early stages of the dreaded "black cloud" I only had relief from symptoms through being occupied with photography.

I had asked God to give me some Eagle shots on a trip to Central Australia. I couldn't believe the opportunities that presented to me.

Part of the solution of why I think photography has an impact is that we are told in the Bible to think on things that are pure,wholesome and many other virtues.
By concentrating on His creation through a lens we are doing just that.
That sense of wonder helps us to realise there is a God watching over us who even is concerned when a sparrow falls to the ground.

So God gave us light and photography for our pleasure and more than that.