For nine years, a community of people at all skill levels have been gathering at SpiritualityandPractice.com to explore contemplative photography together. Participants create photos in response to a weekly theme we provide. The atmosphere is one of acceptance, encouragement, and delight in the wonders that this artistic medium opens for us. Everyone is welcome, whether you have been in the group for years or have just discovered this opportunity.
In our article “The Spiritual Gifts of Photography” we note that those of us on a spiritual path find it easy to honor and appreciate photography as a way of seeing the world with fresh eyes. We quote novelist Henry Miller: “The moment one gives close attention to anything, even a blade of grass, it becomes a mysterious, awesome, indescribably magnificent world in itself.” And American photographer Dorothy Norman said: “In all my photographic work, my aim was to achieve the honesty of the form, to be true to the thing itself. . . . My satisfaction came from the wonder of being able to capture moments that matter to me.” That has indeed been the experience in our Contemplative Photographers groups over the years.
This year, our 10th, we will revisit many of our original themes from Year 1, which were also suggested in Years 4 and 7. In the Practice Group, you can post your photos, your supportive feedback for others, and your insights into how photography enhances your contemplative path. This gives anyone new to the group a chance to start at the foundation, and it gives everyone who has been faithfully participating a chance to observe how time and circumstances change how we see.
Included may be photography tips or quotes chosen to inspire your photographic reflections. Occasionally, we will put out a call for photos submissions for projects on the Spirituality & Practice website. The Practice Group will be largely self-monitoring, with technical support available from S&P.
We believe this is a marvelous opportunity for community building at S&P, and to encourage deep and growing relationships among the members of the Practice Group, we will open enrollment to new people only twice a year. This way, participants will have six months to get to know each other and each other’s photography in a steady way. We hope and expect that most people will choose to remain in the Practice Group community for years.
The first membership enrollment period for Year Ten was August – September 2024.
The second membership enrollment period will be January – February 2025.
We are charging a membership fee of $52 for this Year 10 Practice Group. Those who join the group during the second membership enrollment period will pay the same fee, which will give them access to postings since August 18 and to Practice Group emails and participation through August 10, 2025.
If you’re curious, please check out these galleries created from actual themes/suggestions and particpants offerings:
Contemplative Photography Group Gallery 1 – Contemplative Photographs
Contemplative Photography Group Gallery 2 – Circles, Lines and Curves
Contemplative Photography Group Gallery 3 – Sunrise/Sunset
Contemplative Photography Group Gallery 4 – Confusion or Chaos?
Contemplative Photography Group Gallery 5 – Patterns in Nature
Contemplative Photography Group Gallery 6 – Gateways
To sign up, click on “Subscribe” below.
