Writers and Photographers

Today marked the end of the print version of the Seattle P-I. A sad day for all of us in the Pacific NW. Lots have been written (kind of ironic, isn't it) about the demise of the paper. But I wanted to add one thought. A surviving member of the P-I staff that will now be working on the on-line version of the P-I stated that she couldn't wait to become a better photographer now that she had to take any photos related to her writing. Hmm. They should have kept a couple of photographers around who, with a little time, could have learned to become better writers! Professional photographers are getting a bum rap these days - it still takes more than just a cell phone camera to take a moving photograph. Skill still counts. Or at least it should.

Opportunities

Whether its planned serendipity, listening to the universe or just dumb luck, an opportunity to learn, grow and experience often arises. I had been wanting to take a photo workshop from Chris Rainier for many years. I am moved by his photographs of cultures and rituals around the world. I finally found a window of opportunity that match a Rainier workshop in Santa Fe. And never one to just go and do one thing, I flew down several days prior to the workshop to explore one of my favorite parts of the U.S. In looking on the Internet for lodging options, I came across the Christ in the Desert Monastery, 2 hours or so northwest of Santa Fe. The price was right, all meals were included, as were 7 or so monastic services a day, beginning at 4 a.m. The calm, serenity and quiet was the perfect prelude to a photo workshop on a "In Search of the Spirit." During the 2 days and nights I spent there, generally spent in silence (conversations are not encouraged outside of very limited times), I took lots of photographs (again, a good prelude to an intense week of photography at the workshop), attended a lots of services and ate well. An opportunity arose, I went for it, and all was well.

Turning Dervish

Speaking of rituals and journeys, I'm always fascinated by spiritual journeys and rituals. I've observed Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) rituals in Guatemala, Semana Santa (Holy Week) processions in Spain and Buddhist festivals in Bhutan. I've watch believers lighting candles at the Temple of Maximon (an interesting cult figure in Guatemala), at Lourdes (a Christian pilgrimage site in France) and in churches throughout Europe. And I've seen pilgrims walking up Crough Patrick in Ireland, being blessed (and incensed!!) upon completing the Way of St James in Compostela, Spain and sitting in quiet contemplation in churches, both large and small.

I recently had an opportunity to observe an intense spiritual experience - the Turning of a Sufi Dervish. A concert by the Yuval Ron Ensemble included what is commonly called a Whirling Dervish. More accurately a Turning Dervish, the gentleman first offered a ritual prayer toward Mecca and then began slowly turning at ever increasing speed, entering a trance-like state. The white tunic worn by the Dervish was itself mesmorizing to those observing the prayer dance.

Journey On!

The world is full of exotic ports of call - whether Bhutan or Aitutaki Atoll or Krakow or even Bainbridge Island. Journeys can involve a place (the Grand Canyon) or an event (NW Folklife Festival) or a person (friends, family) - often all three. Journeys can also be explorations - whether of the physical world or the spiritual world or the recesses of the mind.

There's basically nothing that interests me more than going on a journey! But right up there is creating a artistic memory of a journey through the medium of photography. My hope with this blog is to share some photographs and some other aspects of life's journey with you. And always remember to Journey On!