The Tao of Photography: Seeing Beyond Seeing

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adavis47

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by Philippe L. Gross and S. I. Shapiro

Was drawn to this as the Tao Te Ching is one of my favorite reads. From the jacket, "... draws upon Taoist wisdom and photographic artistry to provide insights into creativity, spirituality, and awareness training."
It is sprinkled with wonderful quotes from a variety of photographers that offer wisdom and insight. Of course there are some great images. Well written, a rather unique and interesting read.
 
Agreed, great book. I re-read it occasionally for inspiration. I don't know any other books but I've heard of Micheal wood and Miksang Photography. Kind of a zen approach. Google his name.
 
I agree. People spend very little time working on the non-technical aspects of photography and this book was a well-written 'passive aid' to help you develop your own ways of seeing and a relaxed approach to doing so. There can be so much expectation and self-induced pressure, as well as a blizzard of images you already know, to ruin spontaneous shooting. This book takes everything back to its elements. One of the best photo books I have read.
 
I like reading philosophy and I like looking at photographs. But I have a big problem with books that combine both.
The books that had most influence in my photography were always the ones that changed my view of life and the world around me.
In philosophy it was the Tao Te King and Herriegel´s "Zen in der Kunst des Bogenschießens" (in english zen and the art of archery?).
Reading Haiku and Koan, Lichtenberg, Hafis or Goethe´s poems is a great way to increase your skills in composing pictures.
It´s often a long process until the effect of some reading shows up in your pictures.
 
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I've read "Zen in the Art of Archery" (mentioned by Petronius). It was pretty much required reading back in the early seventies (at least where I lived). Written in the late forties (I think), it must be the original that spawned the many imitations.

"...People spend very little time working on the non-technical aspects of photography"

You mean RFF people?

Cheers,
Gary
 
gns said:
I've read "Zen in the Art of Archery" (mentioned by Petronius). It was pretty much required reading back in the early seventies (at least where I lived). Written in the late forties (I think), it must be the original that spawned the many imitations.

"...People spend very little time working on the non-technical aspects of photography"

You mean RFF people?

Cheers,
Gary
Click to expand...

Amateur photographers in general obsess over technical stuff to the exclusion of aesthetics. Not just on RFF
 
A friend loaned me this book. I scoffed at first. Then began to get involved in the book. By the end I felt that it was worthwhile.

ps: The photos in this book are great. Most of them new to me.

I would add Ansel Adams "Examples". Insight into the why and less of the how to.
 
Tao of Photography - I've owned it for about the last 4-5 years (if memory serves) - it's a good book and it does help getting one out of a "rut" they might be in.

Cheers,
Dave
 
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