The Art and Practice of Contemplative Photography

The Art and Practice of Contemplative Photography

Class - Photography | Available

251 N Spruce St. Winston-Salem, NC 27101 United States
Flex / Conference Room - 214
Beginner to Professional
5/13/2025-6/3/2025
6:30 PM-8:00 PM EST on Tue
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$120.00
$108.00

The Art and Practice of Contemplative Photography

Class - Photography | Available

Contemplative photography (sometimes called mindful photography, or slow photography) is the opposite of mainstream competitive photography. Mindfulness involves focusing on details. So, taking mindful photographs means that you’re capturing colors, textures, shapes, patterns, etc.


Contemplative photography is the practice of taking photographs to experience a moment fully. It lets you notice your feelings and connect your inner world with the environment. It is also a way of self-care. It is a practice of photography where the camera becomes an extension of your mind, you don't have to stop and think and worry and judge - you let your deeper self take over for once, and let it create images from a place of depth.


This class will also include a photowalk through downtown Winston-Salem. Photowalks can provide a source of inspiration and be a time of learning new techniques and sharing your own knowledge and ideas with class participants.


This class is great for photographers, artists at heart, or the curious wanting to explore the symbiotic relationship between contemplative practice and photography. You can use whatever camera that is available to you, including your cell phone.

AGES: 16-Adult

Timothy Auman

I am an ordained lay Buddhist, certified mindfulness teacher, and former university chaplain dedicated to the application of Taoist and Zen thought to the issues of everyday life. As a visual artist, my approach to photography focuses on learning (or perhaps we could say re-learning) how to see. My work is influenced by the Miksang (the Tibetan word for “good eye”) movement, having studied with John McQuade and Miriam Hall for many years. In contemplative photography, we focus on taking the time to actually see, to become aware of and present with what is actually happening in the phenomenal world, and then create an equivalent image with our camera. The main difference between Miksang Contemplative Photography and other forms of photography is that Miksang is based on clear perception before an overlay of thoughts, interpretations, preferences, story lines, likes and dislikes, what we think might make a good image and so forth arise. Meditation, dharma teachings and contemplation are woven into all I teach. If you want to know more about contemplative photography, please sign up for a class.