architecture,  Barn,  landscape,  sunrises

Conceiving “a” Life

December 12, 2011
The Cold Barn

The state of mind of a photographer while creating is a blank…For those who would equate “blank” with a kind of static emptiness, I must explain that this is a special kind of blank. It is a very active state of mind really, a very receptive state of mind, ready at an instant to grasp an image, yet with no image pre-formed in it at any time. We should note that the lack of a pre-formed pattern or preconceived idea of how anything ought to look is essential to this blank condition. Such a state of mind is not unlike a sheet of film itself – seemingly inert, yet so sensitive that a fraction of a second’s exposure conceives a life in it. (Not just life, but “a” life). – Minor White, The Camera Mind and Eye

There was a time when my idea of conceiving life was nowhere close to this quote. I was in a different place in life and in my photography. I now feel the words I share, the way I live life and the images I share all have the power to conceive a life. That belief is the reason I will do my best to treat people in a positive way.That belief is also the reason I will venture out on a cold December day with a camera and tripod. And as I head out the door there is no “pre-formed” scene just a desire to experience this beautiful world. And, just what will I find?

Retired. Having fun with photography. Journal daily. Meditate daily. Learning haiku/poetry. Have a love for fountain pens.

9 Comments

  • Paul

    December 17, 2011 at 3:54 pm

    Monte, your post rather reminds me of a verse of the Tao Te Ching:

    Thirty spokes join in one hub
    In its emptiness, there is the function of a vehicle
    Mix clay to create a container
    In its emptiness, there is the function of a container
    Cut open doors and windows to create a room
    In its emptiness, there is the function of a room

    Therefore, that which exists is used to create benefit
    That which is empty is used to create functionality

    It is certainly better when we go out with a container, ready to be filled, rather than a container already full of our own expectations. Excellent post, Monte and a fabulous attitude. 🙂

    • Monte Stevens

      December 18, 2011 at 11:26 am

      That reading sounds familiar, may have read it somewhere before. I believe it, too. Sometimes I walk out the door with nothing, just an urge to move and take a camera. Did that this morning at the hotel. Quiet time will prepare me for those walks with a camera. No worries about the images, just look and see. If my mind is empty I seem to see more. No what I mean?

  • Steve Schwartzman

    December 18, 2011 at 8:38 am

    This is an excellent example of a minimalist landscape. Minor White’s words and yours are also good. Sometimes I go out photographing with a specific idea in mind, and sometimes that works, but I’m always glad when I find things that I hadn’t anticipated, or when I see familiar things in a new way.