I love the fact that photography brought you to the observant mindset. I experienced this when getting into analog photography. I might write an article about it, now that I mention it...
Thank you for the inspiration, and the invitation to live slowly!
Thank you, Nando! Sorry for the delayed response. I was travelling for my birthday, so I am slowly catching up on everything. I have recently started taking analogue photos and need to develop the two films. I experimented with a disposable camera but am considering getting a proper one. Which one do you have? Have a great weekend 🖤
Thank you for this beautiful reflection and for introducing me to the term infra-ordinary. I read George Perec's 'Approaches to What?' essay some years ago but wasn't aware of this work. There's something deeply grounding about paying attention in this year. Anti-progress on capitalism's terms, but deep and meaningful nourishment for the soul
Sarah, I apologize for not replying earlier. I completely missed your comment. I haven't read 'Approaches to What' yet, but I will definitely add it to my list. I completely agree with you that we live in a society where everything is fast-paced, but it's not meaningful or nourishing for our souls. Have a great weekend 🖤
My spiritual mentor always said “simplicity is the best form of sophistication”. Ordinary things can indeed become extraordinary if we give them extra attention. Thank you for sharing this piece!
I'm trying to be more disciplined about a sketchbook practice so I can notice the ordinary things. It is so easy to go through a day and literally not actually properly noticed anything so I totally agree with your post. And I love the last clip!
That’s a great idea Jennifer! What I try to do on most days is sit with a journal in the morning with a cup of tea and write about the basic things I’m grateful for (I.e my heart beating). Then I take a moment to tune into that and lean into the awe of how fascinating complex the heart must be for it to operate all of the things it does simultaneously! Sometimes writing it out is easier than sketching it (but depends on the mood!) try mixing it up so you don’t feel limited to being disciplined with only one way of doing it. I hope 2024 is off to a beautiful start for you wherever you are in the world!
Hello--from the UK! Thanks for your reply :) I journal in the mornings with a cup of tea too, and I so look forward to that time as it really helps gather my thoughts. I find looking back over sketchbooks much more satisfying and enjoyable than thinking about my written journals though, even scribbles, stress doodles and abandoned attempts as they are much more meaningful for me somehow :)
Thank you so much for your help! I'm curious, do you have a daily sketchbook practice? If so, how do you incorporate what you observe into your sketches? Do you take your sketchbook out and draw on the spot? I'm new to drawing and want to use my sketchbook more often, even though my skills are very basic. I love photographs, but I think drawing can help me observe things more closely. I just need some guidance on how to get started.
The great thing about a sketchbook is that you can go anywhere with it - I don't mean physically necessarily but it's a good idea to draw whatever interests you. I definitely draw every day, but the subject matter really varies. Screenshots from my favourite film; a dinosaur I saw on a documentary; a nice wine label; cake; a bowl of fruit from a travel mag, as well as my dog, cat, flowers and things I see at the place I volunteer (and the topic of my Substack!) so just pick anything you engage with and have a go. The great thing about drawing--and what all my photographer friends envy--is that you can just miss bits out and rearrange things and it doesn't matter!
Hola , Gran Ensayo Y Excelentes Fotografías , Enhorabuena , Me Gustó Él Elogio A La Lentitud Del Día A Día. Cuando Escribes Sobre Él Infraordinario De George Perec , ( Uno De Mis Autores Franceses Más Admirados ) , Me Acordé De Inmediato De Mí Escritor Favorito , Él Chileno Roberto Bolaño Y Su Poesía Infrarrealista. Un Saludo.
Oh, muchas gracias :) Muy amable de tu parte. Es fantástico que ya conocieras a George Perec. Recibí el libro "El París agotador" la semana pasada y tendré que leerlo. ¿Roberto Bolaño trabaja todo en español? Mi español es extremadamente básico, jaja, así que uso Google Translate para volver a los excelentes comentarios y aportes que compartes conmigo. Muchas gracias por eso :)
Hola , Roberto Bolaño , Está Traducido Al Alemán , Inglés. Te Recomiendo Los Detectives Salvajes 1998 ( Si Te Gusta Una Buena Road Movie Por México Y La Poesía , Te Fascinará ). Un Saludo.
I love the fact that photography brought you to the observant mindset. I experienced this when getting into analog photography. I might write an article about it, now that I mention it...
Thank you for the inspiration, and the invitation to live slowly!
Thank you, Nando! Sorry for the delayed response. I was travelling for my birthday, so I am slowly catching up on everything. I have recently started taking analogue photos and need to develop the two films. I experimented with a disposable camera but am considering getting a proper one. Which one do you have? Have a great weekend 🖤
Hey Tuğba, no worries!
I use a Pentax K1000. It is great as a starting point since it allows full manual control and has a built in light meter that makes lighting a breeze.
If you're looking for options, I highly recommend that one. Let me know if you need anything!
Thank you 🥰 I will look into it and DM if I have any questions.
Thank you for this beautiful reflection and for introducing me to the term infra-ordinary. I read George Perec's 'Approaches to What?' essay some years ago but wasn't aware of this work. There's something deeply grounding about paying attention in this year. Anti-progress on capitalism's terms, but deep and meaningful nourishment for the soul
Sarah, I apologize for not replying earlier. I completely missed your comment. I haven't read 'Approaches to What' yet, but I will definitely add it to my list. I completely agree with you that we live in a society where everything is fast-paced, but it's not meaningful or nourishing for our souls. Have a great weekend 🖤
My spiritual mentor always said “simplicity is the best form of sophistication”. Ordinary things can indeed become extraordinary if we give them extra attention. Thank you for sharing this piece!
I'm trying to be more disciplined about a sketchbook practice so I can notice the ordinary things. It is so easy to go through a day and literally not actually properly noticed anything so I totally agree with your post. And I love the last clip!
That’s a great idea Jennifer! What I try to do on most days is sit with a journal in the morning with a cup of tea and write about the basic things I’m grateful for (I.e my heart beating). Then I take a moment to tune into that and lean into the awe of how fascinating complex the heart must be for it to operate all of the things it does simultaneously! Sometimes writing it out is easier than sketching it (but depends on the mood!) try mixing it up so you don’t feel limited to being disciplined with only one way of doing it. I hope 2024 is off to a beautiful start for you wherever you are in the world!
Hello--from the UK! Thanks for your reply :) I journal in the mornings with a cup of tea too, and I so look forward to that time as it really helps gather my thoughts. I find looking back over sketchbooks much more satisfying and enjoyable than thinking about my written journals though, even scribbles, stress doodles and abandoned attempts as they are much more meaningful for me somehow :)
I’m from the UK too, in London. I love that you know that about yourself. Keep doing what works! 🙏🏽
It's taken a while! but thank you :)
Thank you so much for your help! I'm curious, do you have a daily sketchbook practice? If so, how do you incorporate what you observe into your sketches? Do you take your sketchbook out and draw on the spot? I'm new to drawing and want to use my sketchbook more often, even though my skills are very basic. I love photographs, but I think drawing can help me observe things more closely. I just need some guidance on how to get started.
The great thing about a sketchbook is that you can go anywhere with it - I don't mean physically necessarily but it's a good idea to draw whatever interests you. I definitely draw every day, but the subject matter really varies. Screenshots from my favourite film; a dinosaur I saw on a documentary; a nice wine label; cake; a bowl of fruit from a travel mag, as well as my dog, cat, flowers and things I see at the place I volunteer (and the topic of my Substack!) so just pick anything you engage with and have a go. The great thing about drawing--and what all my photographer friends envy--is that you can just miss bits out and rearrange things and it doesn't matter!
Hola , Gran Ensayo Y Excelentes Fotografías , Enhorabuena , Me Gustó Él Elogio A La Lentitud Del Día A Día. Cuando Escribes Sobre Él Infraordinario De George Perec , ( Uno De Mis Autores Franceses Más Admirados ) , Me Acordé De Inmediato De Mí Escritor Favorito , Él Chileno Roberto Bolaño Y Su Poesía Infrarrealista. Un Saludo.
Oh, muchas gracias :) Muy amable de tu parte. Es fantástico que ya conocieras a George Perec. Recibí el libro "El París agotador" la semana pasada y tendré que leerlo. ¿Roberto Bolaño trabaja todo en español? Mi español es extremadamente básico, jaja, así que uso Google Translate para volver a los excelentes comentarios y aportes que compartes conmigo. Muchas gracias por eso :)
Hola , Roberto Bolaño , Está Traducido Al Alemán , Inglés. Te Recomiendo Los Detectives Salvajes 1998 ( Si Te Gusta Una Buena Road Movie Por México Y La Poesía , Te Fascinará ). Un Saludo.