Seeing clearly: the practice of contemplative photography

SEEING CLEARLY
SÃO PAULO: SHARED + HUMANITY
THE PRACTICE OF CONTEMPLATIVE PHOTOGRAPHY

Updated on February 17, March 4, and March 20

Dharma/Arte is organizing the first contemplative photography workshops in Brazil, in the tradition founded by the Buddhist teacher Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche. In April and May 2012, we plan to bring to São Paulo Andy Karr, co-author of The practice of contemplative photography: seeing the world with fresh eyes, published by Shambhala Publications in 2011.

Our planned activities include:

• a workshop for the photographers and the community participating in the Inside Out São Paulo: shared + humanity project;
• workshop and talk open to the public; and
• workshop and talk to potential sponsors.

What is contemplative photography?

The practice of contemplative photography is a method for seeing, and photographing, your world in a fresh way, to expose the richness and beauty that is normally hidden from us.

Conventional photography emphasizes subject matter and technique. Contemplative photography emphasizes working with eye, mind, and heart in order to find the extraordinary in the ordinary. We didn’t invent this. Henri Cartier-Bresson wrote, “To take photographs means… putting one’s head, one’s eye and one’s heart on the same axis.” Our contribution is a method of training that makes this accessible to anyone. The method is based

• on Buddhist principles of mindfulness and perception,
• the work of great masters of photography, and
• our own experience.

Contemplative mind and direct perception see clearly. Thinking mind does not. Seeing is the main skill that photographers need to cultivate. To quote Cartier-Bresson again, “People think far too much about techniques and not enough about seeing.”

Support this project

To make these events possible, Mr. Karr has generously offered to teach without a fee or honorarium. What is more, our production team is comprised mainly of volunteers.

We need your help, however, to cover the costs of Mr. Karr’s airfare from Canada to Brazil–Canada; food; and other items that come to approximately US$ 4,000.

Become a supporter of this project and help us bringing the tradition of the contemplative arts to Brazil. We need to raise US$ 3,000 by March 15 in order to purchase the plane tickets. If we fail to reach this goal, you’ll have the option of canceling your donation or of allowing us to use it (totally or partially) for funding our actions in the Inside Out São Paulo: shared + humanity project. This page will be updated weekly to inform the campaign’s status.

Click here to make a donation using PayPal, a safe way of sending online payments. For detailed information, please email us at redes@dharma.art.br.

Update 1 (February 17)

Shambhala Publications has generously offered some copies of The Practice of Contemplative Photography to this campaign. Make a donation of US$ 30 or above and receive a copy of the book, with free shipping for the United States, and paying only the shipping costs for other locations.

Most probably you can purchase the book for less, but this is a wonderful opportunity to support the initiative of bringing contemplative photography to Brazil and receive a copy of the book. Your participation is very important.

Please, before making a donation, send an email to redes@dharma.art.br to confirm the availability of the offer.

Update 2 (March 4)

We’ve created a presentation with parnership and sponsorship options for Brazilian companies and institutions. These options are valid only in Brazil — however if you or someone you know are inspired to become a patron of the first contemplative photography activities in Brazil, your support will be much appreciated.

Help us bringing the practice of contemplative photography to Brazil. For more information, email us at redes@dharma.art.br.

Update 3 (March 20)

Early-bid registration for the public workshop with Andy Karr is now open! The early-bid fee is valid until March 29 and includes the participation in a talk with Andy Karr, with projection of contemplative photographies; and an 8-hour workshop on April 29.

For more information, email us at redes@dharma.art.br.

Cover of The practice of contemplative photography: seeing the world with fresh eyes. See a sample of the book

Photos: Andy Karr

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