Caroline Small
"Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and without judgement.” Jon Kabat Zinn
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A Mindful Eye - Photography by Caroline Small
Celebrating the small, the humble and the every day In February 2012 I began a project called “Take One A Day And Two On Sundays” with the aim of taking at least one interesting photo every day and posting it on Facebook. After a period of serious illness, this project got me out of the house and out of the doldrums. At the same time I was following a course in ‘mindfulness’ at Blythe House Hospice in Chapel-en-le-Frith. “Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and without judgement.” (Jon Kabat Zinn) I’m never more fully present than when I’m taking photographs: observing how sunshine through petals, leaves and seed cases reveals their colours and structure; noting how the light catches a delicate thread of spider silk stretched between stem and flower. Photography has become a habit. Through my lens I document the changing seasons in my garden and in the streets, parks, woodland and countryside around Buxton. I create intimate portraits of the natural world using my macro lens and semi-abstract images exploring the reflective and mercurial properties of water. Sometimes objects, buildings or small details in the built environment catch my eye and occasionally I photograph the wider landscape. I also take un-posed portraits in natural light including many of musicians with their instruments during performances and workshops at The Green Man Gallery or on the streets of Buxton. I'm an 'opportunist' photographer: I concentrate on what catches my eye. I have no technical background in photography and I'm learning all the time through exploration and experimentation. I do very little editing as I prefer to play with 'in camera' effects using the light, the breeze, the angle and framing of the shot to capture the essence of the moment I'm recording. I hope my images will make you look differently at the fascinating world on your doorstep. www.mindfuleye.co.uk |
