Adventures in Seeing: The Camera Teaches you how to Pause Focus and Connect with Life

It was during a photography workshop in 2001 when I first realized how much more there was to see than at first glance. I stood in a field of dying plants not knowing what to photograph. The instructor saw my dilemma and advised me to get down on my belly and put my camera right in the middle of those plants. Looking through the viewfinder from this perspective I discovered a whole new world.There are times that we all feel the way I did that day - overwhelmed and helpless - not knowing what to do next not seeing any possibilities. We can learn to see below the surface of our lives and connect in a much deeper way.Through mentors in seeing - writers like Thomas Merton John ODonohue and Mary Oliver; and photographers like Ansel Adams and Minor White I discovered that these were people who lived rich full lives doing what they were born to do. They shared nine distinct habits or mindsets.They were pillars of pausing in the midst of their days - with openness humility and acceptance. They focused their attention with curiosity and wonder. They saw possibilities everywhere yet simplified their lives to what was most essential. They were connected to life through strong and meaningful relationships. These mindsets serve as antidotes to the filters we normally place on our experience. Life becomes fuller richer and more meaningful.The premise of this book is that the camera can be used as a tool for cultivating these habits. Throughout this book youll find inspiring stories and photographic exercises that will motivate you to see your everyday world in a brand new way. The exercises can be completed with any type of camera even a smartphone.In Section 1 youll learn the power of the pause. Youll cultivate the habits of openness humility and acceptance and build more space in your life. In Section 2 youll learn to focus with intention and go deeper by bringer your curiosity to the table. Youll find that wonder and miracles are all around. In Section 3 youll see many possibilities and then simplify to what matters most. Youll connect or click the shutter to honor the relationship youve formed.Each section invites you to go deeper to pause and focus before you connect or click the shutter. Youll cultivate habits for seeing in new ways and youll learn to notice the filters - the judgments labels opinions beliefs - that get in the way. Through the exercises youll form new habits that will make you feel more engaged and connected with your life and youll keep a visual record of your expanded awareness. Youll learn to listen to and trust your own inner voice that knows how you want to spend your time and what photographs you want to take. Youll confidently express who you are and how you see the world through your photography.And the bonus is that youll experience more consistent joy and gratitude in life and in your photography. Youll feel more alive connected and engaged no matter what youre doing and no matter where you are. And this will have a ripple effect on everything and everyone around you. You will find that ordinary everyday reality can be quite extraordinary.