Posts in Category: PHOTO SAFARIS
Creative Zen Photography 2-4 hour PHOTO SAFARIS
blog post: why zen photography?
Zen is not a philosophy, it is poetry. It does not propose, it simply persuades. It does not argue, it simply sings its own song. — Osho —
I imagine that those visiting our website might wonder why we have chosen to call ourselves “Zen Photography.” I can hear the pondering…”Is it a religious thing?” “Do I have to be a Buddhist to participate?” The answer to both questions is ‘no,’ but it’s OK if you are!
Zen is considered a form of Buddhism that focuses on meditation and enlightenment through direct experience. Primarily dependent on awareness and concentration, the premise of practicing Zen is to bring your focus to the present moment. As humans, our tendency is to dwell on the past or focus on the future, and when we do that we typically miss the rich experiences that happen in the “now.” Zen is an awareness. If we shift our focus to the present moment we are not burdened by the woes of the past or the anxieties of the future.
So, that brings us to the question…”Why the title ‘Zen Photography’ then?” Our Zen Photography philosophy is to provide lectures and hands-on practicum that bring your attention to the things you are most in need of learning. Through these practical learning experiences we focus on skills and knowledge that will bring you immediate progress and success. Our goal is that after you’ve attended one of our Zen Photography Workshops you will leave with the knowledge you came to obtain from us and a deeper understanding of that knowledge which will bring you more success in your photography, no matter what your level of experience. We like to think if it as Photo Satori, or Photo Enlightenment! So, our goal is to enlighten you photographically, and if some of that enlightenment rubs off of you in a spiritual way, we’re OK with that too.
For the record, we leave the religious practices of Zen up to the Zen Masters who teach Zen well. And, it’s my understanding that the Zen Masters are leaving the photographic instruction up to us, since we happen to provide photography instruction well!
Namaste, Joanne Bartone Photographer / Zen Photography
ABOUT THE PHOTO ABOVE:
Canon EOS 5D | Canon 70-200mm L f/2.8 IS @ 200mm | ISO: 100 | f/2.8 | 1/800 | Images refined and enhanced for color + tonality in PS5
blog post: 2013 fall foliage workshop
“Knock on the sky and listen to the sound.” — Zen Saying
Autumn is my favorite time of year. I love the profound colors, pungent fragrances and autumnal foods this time of the year, but mostly I feel that Autumn it is an opportunity to reflect on the events and goals that previously occurred in Spring and Summer, and consider resting and regrouping through the Winter months to (hopefully) face the changing seasons once again.
I see beautiful colors throughout the Winter, Spring’s colors are bountiful and Summer moves from chartreuse to forest green, but Autumn? …visually there is no other season like it!
So to help you create from this most visually stimulating time of year I’m offering a 3-hour Photography Workshop on October 12th + 27th, from 6 AM to 9 AM and then again on October 13th + 26, 3 PM to 6 PM at Mingo Creek County Park.
The goal? …is first, to help you envision your photos and then secondly, help you create from all the potential that will surround us.
You will learn:
- ISO, Aperture + Shutter Speed: the Exposure Triangle and head home with your own Zen Photography Exposure Guide
- To apply the principles of composition and how to view scenes differently.
- Understand how those camera dials can help you achieve what you envision.
- Learn to shoot comfortably in M (Manual) Mode.
- Understand how different lenses will affect your exposure and composition.
What to bring:
- Your enthusiasm + questions
- A Tripod
- Your DSLR Camera
- All the Lenses you have
- Compact Flash Cards
CLICK HERE to register – pre-pay/pre-purchase required. Once you register, you’ll be given the meet-up location.
Namaste, Team Zen | Joanne Bartone
ABOUT THE PHOTO ABOVE:
Canon EOS 7D | Canon 24-70mm L f/2.8 @ 70 mm | ISO: 200 | f/8 | 1/8 | Falling Water, Farmington, PA | Image refined cropped and enhanced for color + tonality in PS5
blog post: learning for fun
“Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.” — Thich Nhat Hanh
I recently spent some 1:1 time with one of the Zen Photography Safari attendees (Arron H.) helping him learn about the resources available for processing the images he had taken at one of our Safaris.
It was great to hear the enthusiasm in Arron’s approach to learning about photography, but it was even more wonderful to see him smile as we went through his images, hear how proud he was of the images he created and it was exciting to know that Arron has continued to experiment with what he learned since his first Safari.
Arron’s level of photographic experience could be defined as enthusiast / beginner, but it is obvious that his level of excitement and desire to continue to improve his skills will continue to fuel his success.
Arron did something for himself that was fun; something he’s been wanting to do for a long time that inspired him as he moved towards goals he has set for himself.
It was really enjoyable and satisfying to know that we have helped Arron become more proficient and have more control over his camera.
Helping people grow into their photographic skills is exactly what we love to do.
Join us on a Zen Photography Safari and put a little more joy into your life.
Here’s a quote from Arron about his experience:
“Hi Joanne! I cannot thank you enough for the awesome experience at Carrie Furnace. I learned so much during our outing, and the opportunity to shoot such an interesting canvas fueled my passion for photography even more. I really appreciate the insight and detailed instruction and seeing what my camera could do with different settings and lenses; I can hardly believe I took some of these photos. I may not be ready to independently shoot on my own, but I am definitely taking better pictures than before, and I can’t wait until we can go out and shoot different places. 🙂 ” ~ Arron H.
I can’t wait either Arron! the photo above and the ones below are examples of Arron’s great use of depth of field and composition:
blog post: attainment
“I have so overcome the mechanics of my camera that it functions responsive to my desires, my shutter coordinating with my brain is released in a way, as natural as I might move my arm. I am beginning to approach actual attainment in photography — that in my ego of two or three years ago I thought to have already reached. It will be necessary for me to destroy, to unlearn, and then rebuild upon the mistaken presumptuousness of my past.” — Edward Weston
Ego interferes with our personal and professional growth; it’s a constant battle to be aware of ego and keep it in check.
Edward Weston was a Master Photographer who continues to inspire through his work and wisdom, even thought he is no longer with us.
I am one of those photographers who believe in mastering the technical aspects of photographing because it can set us free to create imagery that can astound. it is my opinion that when you shoot in “P” / Program mode, it’s the easy way out. it’s like cheating on the test; all the answers are there for us, even if they are mediocre answers. Program mode doesn’t allow for us to stretch our creativity, it simply allows us to create just like everyone else, and then deludes us into thinking we are fantastic photographers. well, delusions will only get us so far in anything we choose to do.
Team Zen wants you to have success, whether you are photographing as a career choice, for your self, as a parent or an enthusiast who simply wants to learn to be more proficient with their DSLR.
Let your ego go. take a risk and learn the skills that will be of great service to you and bring you joy. Zen Photography Safaris | Workshops | Retreats can help. come join us.
Namaste, Team Zen | Joanne Bartone
ABOUT THE PHOTO ABOVE:
Canon EOS 7D | Canon 70-200mmmm L f/2.8 @ 100mm | ISO: 100| f/5.6 | 1/1000 | Boston MA | Image refined cropped and enhanced for color + tonality in PS5
blog post: creating success
“A wise man makes his own decisions, an ignorant man follows the public opinion.” — Chinese Proverb
It is easy to lose your way to creating your own success when you compare yourself with others. comparing is an outward gaze; it negates the person you are – all of your many talents and fine qualities. if you are trying to determine how to direct your passion for photography or how to create your photographic style, look inward and ask yourself: what are my values? what do i love? who or what inspires me? how would my friends describe me? these are a few of many questions that can lead you down the path of self-creation.
Trends are deceiving; they are exciting today, but pass by quickly. if you seek to follow trends or duplicate another photographer’s style, your business will pass by quickly too. take care to learn the time-honored principles surrounding the craft of photography, integrate them and they will help you to be true to yourself and build a strong foundation for your business.
Zen Photography Safaris | Workshops | Retreats will impart inspiration and help you build your photographic foundation and style. join us and offer yourself a rich opportunity to blossom.
Namaste, Team Zen | Joanne Bartone
ABOUT THE PHOTO ABOVE: Zen Photography Safari: Pittsburgh Night-Light
Canon EOS 7D | Canon 24-70mm L f/2.8 @ 24mm | ISO: 100 | f/8 | 1/125 | Pittsburgh PA | Image refined and enhanced for color + tonality in PS5
blog post: inspira-Zen
“Inspiration is a different thing. Through inspiration you start on the journey, not on any effort of copying. You move on your own path. Inspiration is just a challenge. A thirst arises, and then you move. Tantra says, ‘Be inspired, but don’t become imitators.’ Always remember that you are your own goal.” — Osho
“Tantra” is akin to principles or ethics based upon Divine Universal principles.
Zen Photography Safaris | Workshops | Retreats was created with the intention to inspire, guide and inform people who love photography, no matter what the skill level.
We can derive our inspiration in many ways…here, i simply want to focus on the inspiration for our photography.
Perhaps we find inspiration for our photography from the beauty of nature, or the repetition of patterns at an industrial site, or perhaps from the irony presented often in life, and we can even find it through the work of other photographers – all are beautiful and viable ways to become inspired as we move through learning to see and photograph all that we are seeing. the challenge then, presents itself with taking the inspiration you have found and integrating it into your own creative process without copying what you have been inspired by.
Tricky.
Consider this:
When you can approach being inspired as a challenge where you integrate that inspirational source into your own creative process, instead of copying it verbatim, you will have stretched, extended and liberated your OWN creativity, and THAT is exciting! this liberation will then extend further and move you to places of personal and professional growth that you previously only hoped for.
The various practical experiences and lectures available to you at Zen Photography Safaris | Workshops | Retreats are designed to help you get in touch with and integrate your inspirations into your own creative process. we look forward to helping you fuel your soul and direct your creativity towards your own truth.
For more inspiration to reflect upon, please refer to our INSPIRA-ZEN-AL BLOG posts where you will find inspiration for your personal, creative, technical and business needs.
Namaste, Team Zen | Joanne Bartone