Image from Pixababy
One of the most basic formulas or road maps for being successful and feeling fulfilled in life lies in our moment to moment choice to fully let in the light, allowing it to guide, sustain and spark every thought, word, feeling, and activity. ~ Carl Studna, Click! Choosing Love One Frame at a Time (paid link)
I serendipitously came across Carl Studna through a friend a couple of weeks ago. He is a portrait photographer, well known for bringing out the essence of his subjects. In my last weekly newsletter, I mentioned this book, but wanted to share a little more about why I liked it so much.
While portrait photography is not what I do, I found a kindred spirit in Carl Studna. His approach to photography is very much contemplative – aligning eye, mind and heart, but especially heart. The quote above from his book, Click! Choosing Love One Frame at a Time, describes his process – choosing love in every moment.
Studna said that he wrote the book to “explore what it means to live a life steeped in choices that honour your fullest of expression.” He uses the metaphor of how one is in front of the camera as an example of how authentically one is showing up in life. That hit me where it hurts.
He shares his approach to photography from behind the lens and in front of it, including why we are often self-conscious in front of the camera (and I think photographers are particularly prone to this) and how we can let down our guard. There are several short essays from others about how Carl put them at ease and allowed them to shine through his lens.
Our inability to see ourselves and others clearly is often due to the judgments we make.
The trick is how to recognize judgment as it surfaces so that we can then diffuse it with the light of love. All judgment, whether towards others or myself, has a dissonant tone or vibration attached to the thought. ~ Carl Studna
A simple example with regard to photography are the judgments we form around subjects that are not normally considered beautiful or special. I’ve written about this extensively, finding the beauty in rust and imperfection and rain.
This book is really about life and how we have choices in every moment. We can live with beginner’s mind, which he describes as choosing between the following.
- love or separation
- honor or judgment
- breathe or contrict
- be present or mask
- express or withdraw
- shine or shrink
Living every moment from an open, inquisitive place of genuine inquiry. The more that we keep the doorway open to new or expanded ways of seeing, the richer our lives become. Nothing is stagnant. Everything is alive with adventure. ~ Carl Studna
Can you see why I loved this book?
Besides the inspiring words, Studna offers essays from others and exercises – both photographic and relationship-wise, to help us choose love in every moment.
***** Highly recommended.
I certainly can see why you loved this book. The quotes you selected sure spoke to me too! I’m definitely going to check this one out…thanks, Kim!
These quotes resonated with me too — sounds like my next book to read. Maybe I can suggest it for a Valentine’s gift. 🙂 Thanks for sharing this.
Thank you for the book recommendation – I have added it to my reading list. You have such a talent for digesting the essence of your reading and relaying it to us. I am inspired.
You always have such interesting subjects to discuss with us, Kim. That new book sounds really good. I really enjoyed reading the choices we have in each moment, according to Studna. “Breathe or constrict” is good. Breathing brings us back into the centre of ourselves.
Oooh! Its on my wish list now. 🙂
Yes, we have the same taste in books, if I remember correctly. There is a Kindle version available.
I need this book. Thanks for sharing it.. Your so full of inspiration Kim. and in your unique way of seeing and shooting.
Have a lovely rest of the week.
oh and I have a image like yours but with water washing over it. I might post it sometime this month.
Kim, thank you for your beautiful review of my book. I’m always filled with gratitude when I see that others have been touched or found value from my life’s work, craft and perception. Here’s to a life dedicated to SEEING!
Amen! Thanks so much, Carl.
I remember a teacher in my photography program at college telling us, as we discussed the idea of “street photography”, if you cannot find something to love about the person you wish to photograph then walk away. Anything less is exploitation.