I am beginning this blog as a way to express myself. It will serve as my outlet for working through things in my life, albeit in a very public way…which I struggle with. It is my hope that through this working-through I will find people to connect with, people who understand, people who are interested in having conversations about the things I am interested in having conversations about.
The writing will be bad (thank God!). I will be, at times, both beyond despair and inspired to ecstasy, perhaps in the same day. But it will all be genuine, coming from a deep desire to understand myself, this life, and this world.
Michelle goofin’ in Bali, 2012
ThemWhims 
I just wanted to thank you for your comment re “Contemplative Photography”. I could not find a contact form on your blog so I am writing here. You may delete this comment or leave it here for others to see that your comment had a real impact on my further approach to art.
I’ve been taking photos in that so-called style for the last couple of years. I am not a professional photographer – I just enjoy to be in the midst of various events doing so-called “reportage photography” which allows me to fly a hot air balloon, helicopter, be inside the equipment room of an IMAX movie theatre, etc.
I used to have various versions of my blogs where I was posting my short stories and photos. Some blogs were in English, some in Russian.
I could not come up with a verbal explanation of my style. I mean there is no such need in verbalizing it but once you display your works for others you need to conceptualize it somehow.
I had deleted dozens of my blogs (as well as thousands of photos are gone too off my hard drives) as I was struggling what I wanted to present in my pictures. “Haiku Photography” was suggested last year but it didn’t describe it in a full manner.
When I lived with my (ex now)-girlfriend I was quite often going to the nearest gully, sunflower fields, meadows, etc. almost every day (summer, autumn, winter, spring) taking thousands of pictures. She was mocking at all these photos – “who needs all these puddles and dry leaves, etc.” I was trying to explain to her that all was being taken from my presence in this very moment as I tried to contemplate things as they are. She just kept mocking. Being a bit impulsive and offensive it led to that 90% of what I had shot was totally erased.
By that time I was reading and re-reading some spiritual books like Tolle’s “Power of Now”, etc. which were slowly having an impact on my life. I mean this contemplative photography was growing along with my consciousness awaking or whatever it is called.
In all what I just said above I want to thank you for providing that term – as in just two words it explained the whole idea of what I have been doing. It just gave me an encouragement and firm ground that it is more a spiritual thing.
I read your comment in a café and the later 5 hours I devoted to surfing the net for that term. Having looked at dozens of sites I just smiled and laughed – I am really excited that there are so many kindred spirit people doing similar things.
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Alex, I’m glad I could help! I too do photography and would say my work is in the contemplative photography vein. It’s a shame your ex was not supportive. Some people just don’t understand and are even scared to go within or to slow down. Definitely listen to yourself and keep at it! I, myself, have stopped too many times! Also, thank you for calling my attention to the lack of contact form on my blog!
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