A classic MBSR-experiment aimed at photography
To give mindfulness novices a foretaste of the intent and purpose of every mindfulness exercise, there is a therapeutic setting as follows: A raisin, ten minutes, and me. Therein lies a stunning phenomenon, which might be predominated by modern impatient mentality - the present moment.
While most of us are in the habit of giving our attention to many things at a time, therefore becoming impatient fast as soon as focus needs to be held, such a simple exercise can be a big challenge. MBSR is an eight week long therapeutic program, mindfulness based stress reduction, wherein this exercise is to be found.
'Raisin', Regensburg, 2021 © Dr. Christine Lehr
And this is how it goes: I get myself a raisin and spend the next ten minutes with it. Feeling, smelling, seeing, hearing, playing with the raisin in any thinkable sensual manner is allowed. Before I put it to my lips, place it on my tongue for further mindful investigations. An extensive rendezvous with the raisin.
For the mindful photographer one might think of an experience alike - a single object of his choice and five different photographic impressions of it, each in another atmosphere. For example a glass of water on the table. Focal length, exposure, depth of field or composition are to variegate in order to create those different spirits.
Intent and purpose of this exercise is twofold. On the one hand limiting yourself to one object and playing with adequate camera settings is a practice to get a better feeling for the possibilities of technical feasibility. On the other hand and in the best case this exercise leads one into the present moment with the raisin. And opens out into a mindful photographic rendezvous.
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