Quiet moments on Sable Island

My time on Sable Island is busy, with much to do during the day; searching for seals that have returned to the island with their satellite/GPS tags to breed, capturing those seals to retrieve instruments, collecting life-history data, assisting with maintenance, camp chores, and so on. So, my mind is engaged in the research while on the island.

However, during each day I make an effort to clear my mind of this clutter and look. Sometimes, I don’t see much and another times I see lots. Here are a few images from those times of looking:

Street photography: week forty-five

“See the characters but create your own plot” – Martin Kollar

 

Street photography: week forty-four

Now that I have returned from Sable Is., I can continue with the street photography posts, each Friday. Enjoy!

Be joyful! Dance in the street.” – Munem Wasif

Back from Sable Island

I have just returned from a 7 week trip on Sable Island, NS. The reason for this trip was to continue my work with the Ocean Tracking Network at Dalhousie University and with the Bedford Institute of Oceanography. However, it is an excellent opportunity for me to photograph nature.

There is always a period of adjustment when I return from Sable. While on the island life is very simple, driven by the weather, tides and routine tasks of the day. There is plenty of time for cooking, making bread, drinking tea and looking out of the window at the seals, horses and surf. As a result, the mind becomes very calm, although not necessarily quiet, and you lose the sense of the multitude of layers that make everyday life on the mainland so complex and busy.

After I have adjusted to the hectic life on the mainland, the closest sense I have of this calmness is when I engage in contemplative photography. Those brief moments when I see a strong image and connect with it, remind me of the calmness I feel on Sable. Life slows down and allows time for your senses to enjoy the beauty of our world.

Street photography: week forty-three

“Make something from nothing.” – Amani Willett

 

Street photography: week forty-two

“While walking the street constantly look behind yourself, the light is always different.” – Trent Parke

 

Street photography: week forty-one

“The different shades of grey are astonishing.” – Boris Savelev

 

Street photography: week forty

“It might all come together for a moment and then just as quickly it is gone.” – Narelle Autio

Street photography: week thirty-nine

“Don’t ask. Shoot fast.” – Gus Powell

Light

As I continue my classes on the study of contemplative photography and Miksang, I would like to introduce the element of Light. Light of course is all around us, but as the angle of the sun to earth and the weather changes, Light changes too and sometimes very dramatically. Being aware of these changes allows you to see Light and appreciate its beauty.